Start your engines boys and girls

Thanks Larry, you da man!!!!!

Which teams are going to be the top U10 currently U9 teams in Suffolk? There are teams who have been playing inter league not currently in LIJSL that come September will come out fighting. Any thoughts? Any teams not currently in LIJSL that might be worth mentioning????

There is nothing anyone has to say about thenupcoming BU10 this Fall??? I find that hard to believe. Come on who are we looking at to be the top teams"????

Historically it will be Albertson, Massapequa and East Meadow who are the strongest teams in Nassau. Strong teams will emerge from other towns, but who knows which ones. For the next two years Nassau and Suffolk teams will only see each other in tournaments or scrimmages until they merge at U12. Some teams that are strong now may end up in D3 in a few years. Few if no teams will rise from mediocrity to the top, since better players looking for a new team will only try out for an established top team. I have an older child in travel soccer, so I’m not new to this. All I can say for sure is that the better teams will get ripped to shreds on the site out of jealously. The most stones are thrown at the team that sits on top of the standings. Just enjoy watching your son play now, because this doesn’t last forever. It goes by fast and it will be over before you know it.

Well said

Thanks for the advice. I believe you are correct regarding kids looking for better teams. My child currently plays on the Rough Riders, as well as his regular club team, and I can tell you now that dads who coach their kids club teams are always looking to pull my son along with other top kids to their club team, some will give in and some will remain loyal, so it's a crap shoot till U 12. Is that when kids usually establish their team to stay with? I'm new to all of this. I do however appreciate your advice and warning.

Your job as a parent in travel soccer is to make sure your son is in a good environment. Is he happy and having fun? Is he getting enough playing time? Is he learning and improving his skills? If you can answer yes to all three questions, you are doing fine. If you have to move your boy to another team, don’t worry about loyalty to his team. Your first obligation is to your son. If you need to make a move, try to know what you are getting into first. It could always get worse. If you make a move, make sure it’s for the right reason. If your son’s skills are far more advanced than his teammates, by all means make a move. He will get frustrated in an environment like that and will not improve much. Do not move him to another team just because they have a better record and win tournaments. The training is sometimes worse on teams like that. Watch out for teams that teach “kick and run” soccer as opposed to possession and foot skills. Kick and run will win games on the small field, but once you get to the big field at U12 it’s a different story. And as far as establishing a team at U12, hopefully your son is on a stable team. But teams start folding in the older age groups and there is plenty of instability movement.

Thanks for the advice. I appreciate your experience and your good insight. Thank you.

Did Bayport have a U9travel team or was that their inter league team?what's the difference?