Anonymous
05/22/2026 14:40
Subject: Bethesda Soccer On Way Down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Bottom line… the bsc parents will do what they think is best and the rest will keep hating on them for doing so.
What is it so special that others will hate you for? Chillax it is just youth soccer. Have fun and enjoy your kid playing their favorite sport while they are young because time goes fast and only memories last. ECNL, GA, MLSN, you name it won’t move a needle except that it provides us with beautiful memories which we are thankful for.
I hope you see the irony of your statement. Lecturing them to chill and enjoy soccer. What if they are enjoying it?
Anonymous
05/22/2026 14:20
Subject: Bethesda Soccer On Way Down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Bottom line… the bsc parents will do what they think is best and the rest will keep hating on them for doing so.
What is it so special that others will hate you for? Chillax it is just youth soccer. Have fun and enjoy your kid playing their favorite sport while they are young because time goes fast and only memories last. ECNL, GA, MLSN, you name it won’t move a needle except that it provides us with beautiful memories which we are thankful for.
That is a great question. This discussion began with congratulating the BSC 2011 girls on their success becoming ECNL North Atlantic Champions for a third year in a row. Then it devolved into dissing the club, the coach and providing unsolicited advice on what decisions BSC parents should make about their own children. It is pretty clear here who are enjoying the special memories and who are hating.
Anonymous
05/22/2026 13:58
Subject: Bethesda Soccer On Way Down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Having kids go all the way to a game only to find out they aren't even allowed to sit on the bench is nasty.
WOW - For away games too???? I could understand supporting the team for home games, but at least they should give families the courtesy of deciding if they want to take a 2-3 hour ride for an away game, for their kid not to see the field.
When you're part of a team, you're there for all of it, not just when the pictures get taken or when you feel like it. Playing in college is the same. Not many players from that 28 roster see meaningful minutes consistently every year that they're part of the team. Some players hit the field from freshman year, others are in development / on the bench until later and some never see the field. But they all want to be a part of it for one reason or another.
This is incredibly stupid for actual kids. College kids are a completely different example. They can get transportation on team buses/etc. Making a kid give up a weekend to cheer on teammates is not something that happens for most teams.
We are talking about top ECNL U15 and up, which are college prep programs, not U-littles cheering on teammates. Players and their families don't travel to cheer on.
Soo.... are you saying that transportation is provided (like in College) for away games by these clubs for the players, at this age U15?
Transportation is completely irrelevant in this case because it’s not typical for minors in the US to travel alone. If you commit to an elite team, you commit to the travel. That is taking your kid to games and back, whether they’re playing or not. This requires commitment and sacrifice from player and family for the younger age groups because the players need parental support.
College players are typically independent adults and don’t need their parents to take them places. I’m not sure why you have a hard time grasping that.
Game days at the highest level are intense learning moments, whether you’re on the field or off. You can always choose to stay home on a day your kid’s team is playing a game but not on an elite team. If that’s not your thing, there’re plenty of other teams that can match your level of commitment.
Your definition of having a high level of commitment is being content with having enough subs to field a whole second 11v11 team? And you think similar player development happens on the bench watching other kids play as it does being in the thick of it and problem-solving? You are so brainwashed it’s useless to even engage. But clearly, other folks on here recognize the “money first, player development second” machine that is BSC.
Nobody is content, all players are working hard, everyone wants to play. BSC players and families can go problem solve on any other team and some do. It is a choice.
You are ecnl brain washed. Did you ever think how much your kid might develop playing 80 minutes a game on a ga team? This is insane to think not dressing or being on a bench is a good thing. Theres a small window that closes a little more every day. Get your kid on the field stop financially supporting the top 6-7 kids dreams on the club and the club itself. There are plenty of paths to d1 outside of ecnl
+1 1000% this! unless they will be U17 or older get your player to a team where they will play a good portion of mins. At the end of the day there is no guarantee being on BSC ENCL will not get them to a top school to play and if they aren't getting a significant amount of mins there is pretty much no chance. Going to a different team whether ECNL or GA wont guarantee they will get recruited either but at least they can enjoy playing and getting mins and you as a parent can enjoy that time as well. Life is too fleeting to spend it riding on the bench. You only have so many seasons to enjoy watching your DD play. Make the most of that time.
agreed...sometimes parents need to take a step back and figure out what's best for their DD and put their ego aside
that ego won't let them do what's best for their DD. too many parents trying to live vicariously through their child instead of looking out for them
+1
Anonymous
05/22/2026 13:57
Subject: Bethesda Soccer On Way Down
Anonymous wrote:Bottom line… the bsc parents will do what they think is best and the rest will keep hating on them for doing so.
What is it so special that others will hate you for? Chillax it is just youth soccer. Have fun and enjoy your kid playing their favorite sport while they are young because time goes fast and only memories last. ECNL, GA, MLSN, you name it won’t move a needle except that it provides us with beautiful memories which we are thankful for.
Anonymous
05/22/2026 13:48
Subject: Bethesda Soccer On Way Down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The real problem is that BSC doesn’t have decent competition inside a 30 minute radius in an area concentrated with talented and well trained girls with plenty of money for private coaches. Some have skills coaches, running coaches, and strength coaches starting in middle school. There are too many players on these rosters. Families join because everything thinks their kid will work their way up, either to the first team, or onto the field at game time. But that isn’t always the case. If there were another decent club that doesn’t make you take the beltway or the AL bridge at rush hour, or in Baltimore, it wouldn’t be as much of a problem. The league has cause this mess by not encouraging real competition in a very soccer-dense area.
I have seen the local trainers collect over $20K for individual girls training as they grow from 10 to 16 years old. These girls and their parents all have dreams of UNC, FSU, ND, DUKE, UVA or the new trend of turning pro and foregoing their college years. A few of these girls can actually play at that level...most of them can't...many get hurt badly. But, they are going for it, which is something. Sadly, there are quite of few who simply can't play, they come from wealthy families and still end up as the last players on the bench at an ACC school. The good ones can simply get out there and play...it's up to them if they want to be good enough to keep going...it has nothing to do with any club, any coach or any parent. Never has never will.
Are you saying a soccer player can go Pro and/or D1 without any help from a club, coach or parent - just pure, individual determination? I'm sure most soccer players (and most athletes) would disagree with that. Someone helps them along the way. For all its faults, BSC provides exposure for its top-level players. There isn't a rival that makes logistical sense for Marylanders.
Anonymous
05/22/2026 12:34
Subject: Bethesda Soccer On Way Down
Anonymous wrote:Our VA GA club coach advocates for their players and it seems that the program overall does as well.
What club pray tell?
Anonymous
05/22/2026 12:11
Subject: Bethesda Soccer On Way Down
Anonymous wrote:The real problem is that BSC doesn’t have decent competition inside a 30 minute radius in an area concentrated with talented and well trained girls with plenty of money for private coaches. Some have skills coaches, running coaches, and strength coaches starting in middle school. There are too many players on these rosters. Families join because everything thinks their kid will work their way up, either to the first team, or onto the field at game time. But that isn’t always the case. If there were another decent club that doesn’t make you take the beltway or the AL bridge at rush hour, or in Baltimore, it wouldn’t be as much of a problem. The league has cause this mess by not encouraging real competition in a very soccer-dense area.
I have seen the local trainers collect over $20K for individual girls training as they grow from 10 to 16 years old. These girls and their parents all have dreams of UNC, FSU, ND, DUKE, UVA or the new trend of turning pro and foregoing their college years. A few of these girls can actually play at that level...most of them can't...many get hurt badly. But, they are going for it, which is something. Sadly, there are quite of few who simply can't play, they come from wealthy families and still end up as the last players on the bench at an ACC school. The good ones can simply get out there and play...it's up to them if they want to be good enough to keep going...it has nothing to do with any club, any coach or any parent. Never has never will.
Anonymous
05/22/2026 12:01
Subject: Bethesda Soccer On Way Down
Bottom line… the bsc parents will do what they think is best and the rest will keep hating on them for doing so.
Anonymous
05/22/2026 11:42
Subject: Bethesda Soccer On Way Down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Having kids go all the way to a game only to find out they aren't even allowed to sit on the bench is nasty.
WOW - For away games too???? I could understand supporting the team for home games, but at least they should give families the courtesy of deciding if they want to take a 2-3 hour ride for an away game, for their kid not to see the field.
When you're part of a team, you're there for all of it, not just when the pictures get taken or when you feel like it. Playing in college is the same. Not many players from that 28 roster see meaningful minutes consistently every year that they're part of the team. Some players hit the field from freshman year, others are in development / on the bench until later and some never see the field. But they all want to be a part of it for one reason or another.
This is incredibly stupid for actual kids. College kids are a completely different example. They can get transportation on team buses/etc. Making a kid give up a weekend to cheer on teammates is not something that happens for most teams.
We are talking about top ECNL U15 and up, which are college prep programs, not U-littles cheering on teammates. Players and their families don't travel to cheer on.
Soo.... are you saying that transportation is provided (like in College) for away games by these clubs for the players, at this age U15?
Transportation is completely irrelevant in this case because it’s not typical for minors in the US to travel alone. If you commit to an elite team, you commit to the travel. That is taking your kid to games and back, whether they’re playing or not. This requires commitment and sacrifice from player and family for the younger age groups because the players need parental support.
College players are typically independent adults and don’t need their parents to take them places. I’m not sure why you have a hard time grasping that.
Game days at the highest level are intense learning moments, whether you’re on the field or off. You can always choose to stay home on a day your kid’s team is playing a game but not on an elite team. If that’s not your thing, there’re plenty of other teams that can match your level of commitment.
Your definition of having a high level of commitment is being content with having enough subs to field a whole second 11v11 team? And you think similar player development happens on the bench watching other kids play as it does being in the thick of it and problem-solving? You are so brainwashed it’s useless to even engage. But clearly, other folks on here recognize the “money first, player development second” machine that is BSC.
Nobody is content, all players are working hard, everyone wants to play. BSC players and families can go problem solve on any other team and some do. It is a choice.
You are ecnl brain washed. Did you ever think how much your kid might develop playing 80 minutes a game on a ga team? This is insane to think not dressing or being on a bench is a good thing. Theres a small window that closes a little more every day. Get your kid on the field stop financially supporting the top 6-7 kids dreams on the club and the club itself. There are plenty of paths to d1 outside of ecnl
+1 1000% this! unless they will be U17 or older get your player to a team where they will play a good portion of mins. At the end of the day there is no guarantee being on BSC ENCL will not get them to a top school to play and if they aren't getting a significant amount of mins there is pretty much no chance. Going to a different team whether ECNL or GA wont guarantee they will get recruited either but at least they can enjoy playing and getting mins and you as a parent can enjoy that time as well. Life is too fleeting to spend it riding on the bench. You only have so many seasons to enjoy watching your DD play. Make the most of that time.
agreed...sometimes parents need to take a step back and figure out what's best for their DD and put their ego aside
that ego won't let them do what's best for their DD. too many parents trying to live vicariously through their child instead of looking out for them
Anonymous
05/22/2026 11:28
Subject: Bethesda Soccer On Way Down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Having kids go all the way to a game only to find out they aren't even allowed to sit on the bench is nasty.
WOW - For away games too???? I could understand supporting the team for home games, but at least they should give families the courtesy of deciding if they want to take a 2-3 hour ride for an away game, for their kid not to see the field.
When you're part of a team, you're there for all of it, not just when the pictures get taken or when you feel like it. Playing in college is the same. Not many players from that 28 roster see meaningful minutes consistently every year that they're part of the team. Some players hit the field from freshman year, others are in development / on the bench until later and some never see the field. But they all want to be a part of it for one reason or another.
This is incredibly stupid for actual kids. College kids are a completely different example. They can get transportation on team buses/etc. Making a kid give up a weekend to cheer on teammates is not something that happens for most teams.
We are talking about top ECNL U15 and up, which are college prep programs, not U-littles cheering on teammates. Players and their families don't travel to cheer on.
Soo.... are you saying that transportation is provided (like in College) for away games by these clubs for the players, at this age U15?
Transportation is completely irrelevant in this case because it’s not typical for minors in the US to travel alone. If you commit to an elite team, you commit to the travel. That is taking your kid to games and back, whether they’re playing or not. This requires commitment and sacrifice from player and family for the younger age groups because the players need parental support.
College players are typically independent adults and don’t need their parents to take them places. I’m not sure why you have a hard time grasping that.
Game days at the highest level are intense learning moments, whether you’re on the field or off. You can always choose to stay home on a day your kid’s team is playing a game but not on an elite team. If that’s not your thing, there’re plenty of other teams that can match your level of commitment.
Your definition of having a high level of commitment is being content with having enough subs to field a whole second 11v11 team? And you think similar player development happens on the bench watching other kids play as it does being in the thick of it and problem-solving? You are so brainwashed it’s useless to even engage. But clearly, other folks on here recognize the “money first, player development second” machine that is BSC.
Nobody is content, all players are working hard, everyone wants to play. BSC players and families can go problem solve on any other team and some do. It is a choice.
You are ecnl brain washed. Did you ever think how much your kid might develop playing 80 minutes a game on a ga team? This is insane to think not dressing or being on a bench is a good thing. Theres a small window that closes a little more every day. Get your kid on the field stop financially supporting the top 6-7 kids dreams on the club and the club itself. There are plenty of paths to d1 outside of ecnl
+1 1000% this! unless they will be U17 or older get your player to a team where they will play a good portion of mins. At the end of the day there is no guarantee being on BSC ENCL will not get them to a top school to play and if they aren't getting a significant amount of mins there is pretty much no chance. Going to a different team whether ECNL or GA wont guarantee they will get recruited either but at least they can enjoy playing and getting mins and you as a parent can enjoy that time as well. Life is too fleeting to spend it riding on the bench. You only have so many seasons to enjoy watching your DD play. Make the most of that time.
agreed...sometimes parents need to take a step back and figure out what's best for their DD and put their ego aside
Anonymous
05/22/2026 11:18
Subject: Bethesda Soccer On Way Down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Having kids go all the way to a game only to find out they aren't even allowed to sit on the bench is nasty.
WOW - For away games too???? I could understand supporting the team for home games, but at least they should give families the courtesy of deciding if they want to take a 2-3 hour ride for an away game, for their kid not to see the field.
When you're part of a team, you're there for all of it, not just when the pictures get taken or when you feel like it. Playing in college is the same. Not many players from that 28 roster see meaningful minutes consistently every year that they're part of the team. Some players hit the field from freshman year, others are in development / on the bench until later and some never see the field. But they all want to be a part of it for one reason or another.
This is incredibly stupid for actual kids. College kids are a completely different example. They can get transportation on team buses/etc. Making a kid give up a weekend to cheer on teammates is not something that happens for most teams.
We are talking about top ECNL U15 and up, which are college prep programs, not U-littles cheering on teammates. Players and their families don't travel to cheer on.
Soo.... are you saying that transportation is provided (like in College) for away games by these clubs for the players, at this age U15?
Transportation is completely irrelevant in this case because it’s not typical for minors in the US to travel alone. If you commit to an elite team, you commit to the travel. That is taking your kid to games and back, whether they’re playing or not. This requires commitment and sacrifice from player and family for the younger age groups because the players need parental support.
College players are typically independent adults and don’t need their parents to take them places. I’m not sure why you have a hard time grasping that.
Game days at the highest level are intense learning moments, whether you’re on the field or off. You can always choose to stay home on a day your kid’s team is playing a game but not on an elite team. If that’s not your thing, there’re plenty of other teams that can match your level of commitment.
Your definition of having a high level of commitment is being content with having enough subs to field a whole second 11v11 team? And you think similar player development happens on the bench watching other kids play as it does being in the thick of it and problem-solving? You are so brainwashed it’s useless to even engage. But clearly, other folks on here recognize the “money first, player development second” machine that is BSC.
Nobody is content, all players are working hard, everyone wants to play. BSC players and families can go problem solve on any other team and some do. It is a choice.
You are ecnl brain washed. Did you ever think how much your kid might develop playing 80 minutes a game on a ga team? This is insane to think not dressing or being on a bench is a good thing. Theres a small window that closes a little more every day. Get your kid on the field stop financially supporting the top 6-7 kids dreams on the club and the club itself. There are plenty of paths to d1 outside of ecnl
+1 1000% this! unless they will be U17 or older get your player to a team where they will play a good portion of mins. At the end of the day there is no guarantee being on BSC ENCL will not get them to a top school to play and if they aren't getting a significant amount of mins there is pretty much no chance. Going to a different team whether ECNL or GA wont guarantee they will get recruited either but at least they can enjoy playing and getting mins and you as a parent can enjoy that time as well. Life is too fleeting to spend it riding on the bench. You only have so many seasons to enjoy watching your DD play. Make the most of that time.
There is no such thing as soccer will get you to a top school anywhere in this world LOL.
Anonymous
05/22/2026 11:15
Subject: Bethesda Soccer On Way Down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Having kids go all the way to a game only to find out they aren't even allowed to sit on the bench is nasty.
WOW - For away games too???? I could understand supporting the team for home games, but at least they should give families the courtesy of deciding if they want to take a 2-3 hour ride for an away game, for their kid not to see the field.
When you're part of a team, you're there for all of it, not just when the pictures get taken or when you feel like it. Playing in college is the same. Not many players from that 28 roster see meaningful minutes consistently every year that they're part of the team. Some players hit the field from freshman year, others are in development / on the bench until later and some never see the field. But they all want to be a part of it for one reason or another.
This is incredibly stupid for actual kids. College kids are a completely different example. They can get transportation on team buses/etc. Making a kid give up a weekend to cheer on teammates is not something that happens for most teams.
We are talking about top ECNL U15 and up, which are college prep programs, not U-littles cheering on teammates. Players and their families don't travel to cheer on.
Soo.... are you saying that transportation is provided (like in College) for away games by these clubs for the players, at this age U15?
Transportation is completely irrelevant in this case because it’s not typical for minors in the US to travel alone. If you commit to an elite team, you commit to the travel. That is taking your kid to games and back, whether they’re playing or not. This requires commitment and sacrifice from player and family for the younger age groups because the players need parental support.
College players are typically independent adults and don’t need their parents to take them places. I’m not sure why you have a hard time grasping that.
Game days at the highest level are intense learning moments, whether you’re on the field or off. You can always choose to stay home on a day your kid’s team is playing a game but not on an elite team. If that’s not your thing, there’re plenty of other teams that can match your level of commitment.
Your definition of having a high level of commitment is being content with having enough subs to field a whole second 11v11 team? And you think similar player development happens on the bench watching other kids play as it does being in the thick of it and problem-solving? You are so brainwashed it’s useless to even engage. But clearly, other folks on here recognize the “money first, player development second” machine that is BSC.
Nobody is content, all players are working hard, everyone wants to play. BSC players and families can go problem solve on any other team and some do. It is a choice.
You are ecnl brain washed. Did you ever think how much your kid might develop playing 80 minutes a game on a ga team? This is insane to think not dressing or being on a bench is a good thing. Theres a small window that closes a little more every day. Get your kid on the field stop financially supporting the top 6-7 kids dreams on the club and the club itself. There are plenty of paths to d1 outside of ecnl
+1 1000% this! unless they will be U17 or older get your player to a team where they will play a good portion of mins. At the end of the day there is no guarantee being on BSC ENCL will not get them to a top school to play and if they aren't getting a significant amount of mins there is pretty much no chance. Going to a different team whether ECNL or GA wont guarantee they will get recruited either but at least they can enjoy playing and getting mins and you as a parent can enjoy that time as well. Life is too fleeting to spend it riding on the bench. You only have so many seasons to enjoy watching your DD play. Make the most of that time.
Love this!! couldn't have said it better myself
Anonymous
05/22/2026 11:13
Subject: Bethesda Soccer On Way Down
Our VA GA club coach advocates for their players and it seems that the program overall does as well.
Anonymous
05/22/2026 11:08
Subject: Bethesda Soccer On Way Down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Having kids go all the way to a game only to find out they aren't even allowed to sit on the bench is nasty.
WOW - For away games too???? I could understand supporting the team for home games, but at least they should give families the courtesy of deciding if they want to take a 2-3 hour ride for an away game, for their kid not to see the field.
When you're part of a team, you're there for all of it, not just when the pictures get taken or when you feel like it. Playing in college is the same. Not many players from that 28 roster see meaningful minutes consistently every year that they're part of the team. Some players hit the field from freshman year, others are in development / on the bench until later and some never see the field. But they all want to be a part of it for one reason or another.
This is incredibly stupid for actual kids. College kids are a completely different example. They can get transportation on team buses/etc. Making a kid give up a weekend to cheer on teammates is not something that happens for most teams.
We are talking about top ECNL U15 and up, which are college prep programs, not U-littles cheering on teammates. Players and their families don't travel to cheer on.
Soo.... are you saying that transportation is provided (like in College) for away games by these clubs for the players, at this age U15?
Transportation is completely irrelevant in this case because it’s not typical for minors in the US to travel alone. If you commit to an elite team, you commit to the travel. That is taking your kid to games and back, whether they’re playing or not. This requires commitment and sacrifice from player and family for the younger age groups because the players need parental support.
College players are typically independent adults and don’t need their parents to take them places. I’m not sure why you have a hard time grasping that.
Game days at the highest level are intense learning moments, whether you’re on the field or off. You can always choose to stay home on a day your kid’s team is playing a game but not on an elite team. If that’s not your thing, there’re plenty of other teams that can match your level of commitment.
Your definition of having a high level of commitment is being content with having enough subs to field a whole second 11v11 team? And you think similar player development happens on the bench watching other kids play as it does being in the thick of it and problem-solving? You are so brainwashed it’s useless to even engage. But clearly, other folks on here recognize the “money first, player development second” machine that is BSC.
Nobody is content, all players are working hard, everyone wants to play. BSC players and families can go problem solve on any other team and some do. It is a choice.
You are ecnl brain washed. Did you ever think how much your kid might develop playing 80 minutes a game on a ga team? This is insane to think not dressing or being on a bench is a good thing. Theres a small window that closes a little more every day. Get your kid on the field stop financially supporting the top 6-7 kids dreams on the club and the club itself. There are plenty of paths to d1 outside of ecnl
+1 1000% this! unless they will be U17 or older get your player to a team where they will play a good portion of mins. At the end of the day there is no guarantee being on BSC ENCL will not get them to a top school to play and if they aren't getting a significant amount of mins there is pretty much no chance. Going to a different team whether ECNL or GA wont guarantee they will get recruited either but at least they can enjoy playing and getting mins and you as a parent can enjoy that time as well. Life is too fleeting to spend it riding on the bench. You only have so many seasons to enjoy watching your DD play. Make the most of that time.
Anonymous
05/22/2026 10:41
Subject: Bethesda Soccer On Way Down
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Having kids go all the way to a game only to find out they aren't even allowed to sit on the bench is nasty.
WOW - For away games too???? I could understand supporting the team for home games, but at least they should give families the courtesy of deciding if they want to take a 2-3 hour ride for an away game, for their kid not to see the field.
When you're part of a team, you're there for all of it, not just when the pictures get taken or when you feel like it. Playing in college is the same. Not many players from that 28 roster see meaningful minutes consistently every year that they're part of the team. Some players hit the field from freshman year, others are in development / on the bench until later and some never see the field. But they all want to be a part of it for one reason or another.
This is incredibly stupid for actual kids. College kids are a completely different example. They can get transportation on team buses/etc. Making a kid give up a weekend to cheer on teammates is not something that happens for most teams.
We are talking about top ECNL U15 and up, which are college prep programs, not U-littles cheering on teammates. Players and their families don't travel to cheer on.
Soo.... are you saying that transportation is provided (like in College) for away games by these clubs for the players, at this age U15?
Transportation is completely irrelevant in this case because it’s not typical for minors in the US to travel alone. If you commit to an elite team, you commit to the travel. That is taking your kid to games and back, whether they’re playing or not. This requires commitment and sacrifice from player and family for the younger age groups because the players need parental support.
College players are typically independent adults and don’t need their parents to take them places. I’m not sure why you have a hard time grasping that.
Game days at the highest level are intense learning moments, whether you’re on the field or off. You can always choose to stay home on a day your kid’s team is playing a game but not on an elite team. If that’s not your thing, there’re plenty of other teams that can match your level of commitment.
Your definition of having a high level of commitment is being content with having enough subs to field a whole second 11v11 team? And you think similar player development happens on the bench watching other kids play as it does being in the thick of it and problem-solving? You are so brainwashed it’s useless to even engage. But clearly, other folks on here recognize the “money first, player development second” machine that is BSC.
Nobody is content, all players are working hard, everyone wants to play. BSC players and families can go problem solve on any other team and some do. It is a choice.
You are ecnl brain washed. Did you ever think how much your kid might develop playing 80 minutes a game on a ga team? This is insane to think not dressing or being on a bench is a good thing. Theres a small window that closes a little more every day. Get your kid on the field stop financially supporting the top 6-7 kids dreams on the club and the club itself. There are plenty of paths to d1 outside of ecnl
This. 1000% this. The only thing I would change in your statement is BSC only truly promotes and advocates for 1-3 (mayyybe 4) girls on each team, not 6-7. We all know the names of the couple of girls from each birth year that the club has pinned all their hopes on. There are plenty of incredible players whose names you will never know, and who will never be promoted by the club, because BSC only really cares about a tiny amount. The one positive trend I have seen this year is that a lot of amazing players are jumping ship, to other VA ECNL or even (gasp!) GA clubs that will advocate for them in the way they deserve. I agree wholeheartedly that BSC ECNL is not the only pathway for MoCo kids to D1 or whatever a player's goal is.