We have definitely seen kids retaliated against and benched once word got out. But when my son played u14 and his coach found out he was leaving he didn’t retaliate at all. He had some away games we considered skipping due to fear of being benched but he got his normal playing time. But overall, I think it’s safest to not say anything. We’ve seen word spread quickly among players and parents when kids let it slip they are trying out.

Anonymous wrote:Not sure if this is just in MD ( new to travel soccer) but the team we tried out with didn’t actually do tryouts. We just went to a 2 hour practice and they assessed DD at the practice.
The coach said most teams don’t do tryouts anymore.

Fake news. Everyone does tryouts.

Not sure if this is just in MD ( new to travel soccer) but the team we tried out with didn’t actually do tryouts. We just went to a 2 hour practice and they assessed DD at the practice.
The coach said most teams don’t do tryouts anymore.

Trust no one.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It sounds like the consensus is not to say anything at this time. I hate having to keep coming up with excuses. The coach is probably questioning DC‘s commitment one way or another. DC is definitely in the frustrated and wanting more intensity boat at this point. But nothing is guaranteed in terms of offers from other teams with all of these changes going on. DC has never changed clubs before. Ideally we find somewhere DC can stay put for a while. I really don’t wanna have to do all this again next year.

Yeah the process really sucks. I assume you tried to find a way to do this when they arent missing practice? Maybe you can guest practice for partial time and then make the other team?

For one of the upcoming tryouts DC could probably still get to their team practice a bit late if they were to leave the tryout early. Is it bad to leave a tryout early? It would be the second tryout with that club.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. It sounds like the consensus is not to say anything at this time. I hate having to keep coming up with excuses. The coach is probably questioning DC‘s commitment one way or another. DC is definitely in the frustrated and wanting more intensity boat at this point. But nothing is guaranteed in terms of offers from other teams with all of these changes going on. DC has never changed clubs before. Ideally we find somewhere DC can stay put for a while. I really don’t wanna have to do all this again next year.

Yeah the process really sucks. I assume you tried to find a way to do this when they arent missing practice? Maybe you can guest practice for partial time and then make the other team?

OP here. It sounds like the consensus is not to say anything at this time. I hate having to keep coming up with excuses. The coach is probably questioning DC‘s commitment one way or another. DC is definitely in the frustrated and wanting more intensity boat at this point. But nothing is guaranteed in terms of offers from other teams with all of these changes going on. DC has never changed clubs before. Ideally we find somewhere DC can stay put for a while. I really don’t wanna have to do all this again next year.

The kids on the team that DC is considering leaving probably know kids on the team that DC is trying out at, especially at older ages. Words gets back that way and it can't be controlled (although the coaches shouldn't make a big deal out of it).

Anonymous wrote:If so many Virginia parents stopped club hopping, then maybe the coaches wouldn't act the way YOU think they will act.

Enjoy your kid playing soccer, making friends and having fun. Because in the end most of these kids, especially on the boys side will not play in college.

Think about it - would you want to go to a college with 2000 kids and play division 3 soccer or something like VA Tech, UVA or UMD and play club soccer? Is your kid willing to sacrifice missing out on college football and basketball? Because between soccer and school, it takes up 80 hours per week. Kids are run down and burned out after the first year. Most don't even get to play their first year.

Most kids want to have college experience, and often their academics don't match their soccer skills.

Also, loyalty can be rewarded; you just don't know about it because you don't stick around long enough.

Yes. My kid isn't a fan of basketball or football. He could care less about missing that stuff to play soccer. He loves the grind. He's not a partier--so training and academics are his thing.

My other kid plays college club (only 2 Freshmen - he was one) made the team. They traveled all up and down the East coast for games all Fall---so you are doing a lot of traveling for Club too.

We have seen those being rewarded with riding the bench on mlsnext/ecnl teams.

Anonymous wrote:If so many Virginia parents stopped club hopping, then maybe the coaches wouldn't act the way YOU think they will act.

Enjoy your kid playing soccer, making friends and having fun. Because in the end most of these kids, especially on the boys side will not play in college.

Think about it - would you want to go to a college with 2000 kids and play division 3 soccer or something like VA Tech, UVA or UMD and play club soccer? Is your kid willing to sacrifice missing out on college football and basketball? Because between soccer and school, it takes up 80 hours per week. Kids are run down and burned out after the first year. Most don't even get to play their first year.

Most kids want to have college experience, and often their academics don't match their soccer skills.

[/b]Also, loyalty can be rewarded; you just don't know about it because you don't stick around long enough.[b]

Kids' interests change. Mine decided they definitely wanted to play college late in HS. They are playing now--at a T10 but really got screwed over a ton in their youth. We saw such bad behavior by coaches/clubs. People often move exactly because of the politics. It really is not merit-based most places, in the younger ages. My job was to keep the love of the game going and not let that stuff kill it. We weren't chasing wins or status and some of the moves may have appeared 'down' to those that don't know much about the sport--but we were going where they needed to be developmentally at each age point, and for the training/coach. It depends on the kid you have--some are in it just for the friends or the status and some have a personal drive or goal for which that stuff means less. They can see their friends at other times.

My kids never wanted to play or be played for their 'loyalty'. They wanted to be played for their talent and contributions. Everyone knows when someone is there merely for a 'reward' or a parent's ball busting.

We are missing practice for other clubs try outs this season. I told our club director and coach. With the age group change, there aren't enough players at my daughters age group so we need to switch. I kept it professional and simple

Anonymous wrote:If so many Virginia parents stopped club hopping, then maybe the coaches wouldn't act the way YOU think they will act.

Enjoy your kid playing soccer, making friends and having fun. Because in the end most of these kids, especially on the boys side will not play in college.

Think about it - would you want to go to a college with 2000 kids and play division 3 soccer or something like VA Tech, UVA or UMD and play club soccer? Is your kid willing to sacrifice missing out on college football and basketball? Because between soccer and school, it takes up 80 hours per week. Kids are run down and burned out after the first year. Most don't even get to play their first year.

Most kids want to have college experience, and often their academics don't match their soccer skills.

Also, loyalty can be rewarded; you just don't know about it because you don't stick around long enough.

Ha! Like none of these coaches wouldn't replace a "loyal" player for some new kid at tryouts that they like more. Be loyal to your DC above all else, because most of these coaches are only loyal to themselves.

Anonymous wrote:Because there is no way of knowing if your kid will make another team without going to other tryouts.

Well this is absolutely not true. The correct way is to ask to visit one of their practices before tryouts and train with their current team. This is a date not on the known tryout schedule and easier to deny. You can discuss with the coaches and see how interested they are in your child. They usually let you know if they want to see you on their team next year. Tryouts are for the unprepared.

My question still stands...why are you going to the tryout? To make that team? Then surely you have to deal with the fallout at your current club if your desire is to go to another club...whether you get selected or not (that is a you problem). And I hate clubs...they are a business that use our children to build their business. But you are the one trying to leave for another team? That seems like you should expect blowback and take the risk.

If so many Virginia parents stopped club hopping, then maybe the coaches wouldn't act the way YOU think they will act.

Enjoy your kid playing soccer, making friends and having fun. Because in the end most of these kids, especially on the boys side will not play in college.

Think about it - would you want to go to a college with 2000 kids and play division 3 soccer or something like VA Tech, UVA or UMD and play club soccer? Is your kid willing to sacrifice missing out on college football and basketball? Because between soccer and school, it takes up 80 hours per week. Kids are run down and burned out after the first year. Most don't even get to play their first year.

Most kids want to have college experience, and often their academics don't match their soccer skills.

Also, loyalty can be rewarded; you just don't know about it because you don't stick around long enough.