Anonymous wrote:U7-U12 …. Are you kidding me. Any club in the area for those ages will work, and nobody could ever make a reasonable comparison between the quality of clubs at those ages. I can’t imagine anybody could seriously compare elementary school aged kids and say any particular club is the best. Either you’re part of the club staff or you’re smoking something. FWIW, if they were truly any good, there would be results at the older, competitive ages. They are average at best.

Without getting into whether Alexandria is good or not, I believe you are wrong to suggest that all training between U7 and U12 is equivalent. Kids are learning and improving at those ages - and some clubs teach them more and better than others - and the kids are stronger players as a result.

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Anonymous wrote:more coach dependent than club dependent. Better to look at teams instead of the club as a whole.

Yes.

And when anyone says “they have strong teams at young ages”. I know they know absolutely nothing about soccer or player development.

What are “young ages”? My DS is about to turn 4. We’re in North Arlington. I’m relatively new to this. What would be the best club for him? He is a strong player (for that age).

Alexandria, hands-down best club for developing younger players. You can check other options at U15 but your kid will
Know how to play. Arlington and Bethesda send players to college, but many, and in Arlington’s case, most, were developed elsewhere first.

At one time. Not so much anymore

From U7-U12 it is still the best. Nothing's changed unless others got a ton better, and I haven't seen or heard about that. From U13 up, they've struggled with coaches but have some new blood. We'll see how new coaches do.

U7-U12 …. Are you kidding me. Any club in the area for those ages will work, and nobody could ever make a reasonable comparison between the quality of clubs at those ages. I can’t imagine anybody could seriously compare elementary school aged kids and say any particular club is the best. Either you’re part of the club staff or you’re smoking something. FWIW, if they were truly any good, there would be results at the older, competitive ages. They are average at best.

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Anonymous wrote:Wonder why little mention of Bethesda Soccer Club here? Or Stoddert?

Stoddert LOL

Bethesda is interested in protecting Bethesda’s brand - not player development. If you start early with them you can stay on top teams forever. Also if you beat them with an incredible play in an important game you will be asked to join. Otherwise, avoid. You are just part of the con.

I think its the coaches that matter more than the club. If your player ever has the chance to be coahced by Sona Walla (U11-U12 MYS), grab it. In my POV, he is far and away the most talented coach of U11-U12 in this area--both from a technical perspective in traning the boys to a fast passing game from the back so that they are prepared for U-13+, and from a 'knowing how to work with 11-12 year olds perspective" (i.e. no yelling, commands respect, deals appropriately with mistakes, appropraite coaching from the sidelines). You'll get more than your money's worth if you get him as your player's coach...

Anonymous wrote:Wonder why little mention of Bethesda Soccer Club here? Or Stoddert?

Stoddert LOL

Wonder why little mention of Bethesda Soccer Club here? Or Stoddert?

From U7-U12 it is still the best. Nothing's changed unless others got a ton better, and I haven't seen or heard about that. From U13 up, they've struggled with coaches but have some new blood. We'll see how new coaches do.

I think it is a great club at helping the kids who already had talent get even better. I don't think it is that good at helping mediocre kids become better than they currently are. Which, I do think shoud be a goal, if they are going to even bother having multiple levels of teams in the first place.

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Anonymous wrote:more coach dependent than club dependent. Better to look at teams instead of the club as a whole.

Yes.

And when anyone says “they have strong teams at young ages”. I know they know absolutely nothing about soccer or player development.

What are “young ages”? My DS is about to turn 4. We’re in North Arlington. I’m relatively new to this. What would be the best club for him? He is a strong player (for that age).

Alexandria, hands-down best club for developing younger players. You can check other options at U15 but your kid will
Know how to play. Arlington and Bethesda send players to college, but many, and in Arlington’s case, most, were developed elsewhere first.

At one time. Not so much anymore

From U7-U12 it is still the best. Nothing's changed unless others got a ton better, and I haven't seen or heard about that. From U13 up, they've struggled with coaches but have some new blood. We'll see how new coaches do.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:more coach dependent than club dependent. Better to look at teams instead of the club as a whole.

Yes.

And when anyone says “they have strong teams at young ages”. I know they know absolutely nothing about soccer or player development.

What are “young ages”? My DS is about to turn 4. We’re in North Arlington. I’m relatively new to this. What would be the best club for him? He is a strong player (for that age).

Alexandria, hands-down best club for developing younger players. You can check other options at U15 but your kid will
Know how to play. Arlington and Bethesda send players to college, but many, and in Arlington’s case, most, were developed elsewhere first.

All Alexandria is good for is upselling camps, futsal, other BS. They don’t develop at younger ages most of the kids stand around doing pattern play. Kills their creativity and wastes a lot of time that should be spent on foot skills and basic soccer IQ.

These are not mutually exclusive. You don't need to spend practice time doing this when you have coaches who can actually teach smart kids how to play. What you are describing is babysitting, which is fine for babies.

DS' team got crushed by an Arlington "Red" team in state cup. There was some guesting down and they played an unattractive yet highly effective kickball style. ZERO debate they went far in the state cup because they know how to win! That said, How do they place so many kids on college rosters if all they play is kickball? NO one is touching the ball but the goalie/defenders and striker...

What age group? My son is a midfielder (the 8) on an Arlington blue team, so a lower team than the one you saw for sure. He has touches on the ball all the time during games.

All Alexandria is good for is upselling camps, futsal, other BS. They don’t develop at younger ages most of the kids stand around doing pattern play. Kills their creativity and wastes a lot of time that should be spent on foot skills and basic soccer IQ.

I think the pattern play is fine for higher level teams where the kids can understand and execute it. But on the lower level teams, they generally can't, and so it is just tons of time wasted at practice that could have been put towards something more helpful.
I am also ok on upsells, if they actually help. But I don't think the futsal ID is true futsal (if that is what you are after). It is soccer on a hard court.
My child enjoyed the camps. I don't think they improved my child's play, but they were fun, so whatever.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:more coach dependent than club dependent. Better to look at teams instead of the club as a whole.

Yes.

And when anyone says “they have strong teams at young ages”. I know they know absolutely nothing about soccer or player development.

What are “young ages”? My DS is about to turn 4. We’re in North Arlington. I’m relatively new to this. What would be the best club for him? He is a strong player (for that age).

Alexandria, hands-down best club for developing younger players. You can check other options at U15 but your kid will
Know how to play. Arlington and Bethesda send players to college, but many, and in Arlington’s case, most, were developed elsewhere first.

I agree Alexandria is good. But the kid is three years old - it doesn't matter where he plays and won't for several years. Just sign him up for the most convenient rec program. Worry about which club if he's still interested when he's several years older.

Sorry. Missed that. Agreed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:more coach dependent than club dependent. Better to look at teams instead of the club as a whole.

Yes.

And when anyone says “they have strong teams at young ages”. I know they know absolutely nothing about soccer or player development.

What are “young ages”? My DS is about to turn 4. We’re in North Arlington. I’m relatively new to this. What would be the best club for him? He is a strong player (for that age).

Alexandria, hands-down best club for developing younger players. You can check other options at U15 but your kid will
Know how to play. Arlington and Bethesda send players to college, but many, and in Arlington’s case, most, were developed elsewhere first.

I agree Alexandria is good. But the kid is three years old - it doesn't matter where he plays and won't for several years. Just sign him up for the most convenient rec program. Worry about which club if he's still interested when he's several years older.