New to this

Moving to frisco area over Thanksgiving break. My son loves soccer and I hear this area has some serious competition. He's good, but not great. Has always
played recreational soccer and we were advised to look at clubs. Our area did not even have clubs so i am completely new to all of this.
Any recommendations as to where to start looking?? This is actually very overwhelming so i hope to do this the "easy" way.
thanks for any advise

Since you are in Frisco, if you want to look at clubs might at well start with FC Dallas Youth. TFC is also pretty near. Email someone on their web sites and find out where/when you can visit a practice or two.

You might go watch a couple of games in local tournaments over the next couple of weeks. That would be an easy way to see multiple teams, how the coaches act, and which team your son's skill level might fit. This weekend there is the ACES Fall Challenge (acessoccerclub.com) in Lewisville/Carrolton and next weekend the XARA tournament in Lewisville (glasasoccer.org) and the Texans Fall Classic in Carrollton (dallastexans.com).

Look around these boards for opinions on the top teams.

Good luck.

PM Sent

I agree that FC Dallas would be a good place to start in the Frisco area. Each clubs have teams at all different levels of skill and ability. A good coach will direct your son to the team where he can develop and excel best. I do not know when you birthdate cut offs are but be sure he is a true 01 here as the cutoff date is 7/31/01.

Mckinney is pretty close and you have the AYSES club and Solar's "north" teams out there as well.

Try this link. Has most of the futbol club info on there.
Some of the coach/director information are incorrect, so go to the club website.
http://www.dynamicyouthsports.com/pa_academy.php

It may be hard to get into some of the top teams, if that is what you are looking to do. I would try a Division 2 first. You can find the D2 teams under the "SDL 01B Scores (week 10). Please note that only teams that play in SDL will be listed. Other clubs play in CAL and smaller leagues.

Ok so this forum has been quite helpful. I see what i was told "serious competition" is no joke. You all are
obviously very involved. This will be a nice change from what we have had previously. I've checked out the
postings, i've looked at the scores, and have even made a few phone calls.
I've gotten a few personal messages- thank you!
I will scope out the tournaments next week since we won't arrive till then.
thanks to last post about D2, this is where i started and was very impressed with the coach i spoke to. He seems
very professional- hopefully thats the way he really is on the field. Any words of wisdom about the Dallas Texans?

Now you are talking about Darth Vader. JK or maybe not. The Texans here are like the Yankees in baseball. Most people hate them but when asked they don't know why. It was always like that so there must be a reason. One thing they do better than most other clubs is focus on the business side and even though we wish it's not about business here in North Texas it is.

Here is a link to a thread you might want to read through which also contains a link to a very limited list of local teams and their practice locations. I like the idea of compiling a list like this one, but it is no where near comprehensive at this point.

http://www.txsoccer.info/general-soccer-discussion-f2/team-practice-locations-t2199.htm

Keep it fun for your kid(s). NTX can suck the fun out of soccer if you are not careful.

newby01 wrote: Any words of wisdom about the Dallas Texans?

I agree with the German, they are a well run club. They are ranked almost every year as the either the first or second best club nationally. I don't have any issues with the Texans.

As for the Texans coach that you may have spoken to. You should be talking to either Densk or Wolf. Both are good coaches. Densk practices at Ross Stewart in Farmer Branch. A bit of a drive from Frisco. Wolf practices at Carpenter Park in Plano, not too far from Frisco. Densk will not be taking his team to Select. Wolf probably is. Densk has a very good D1 team. He also has a strong D2 team. Wolf only has a very strong D2 team possibly going to D1 in spring. Looks like Wolf will be getting a few calls...There has been some interest in the 01 forum about Wolf's team.

Liverpool has a very good 01 team coached by Wilco. They practice out in Plano, close to Frisco. Like Wolf, Wilco is not well known in the area, but is a very good coach.

As far as getting onto these teams, you have to attend practice. The coach will evaluate your kid to see if he fits. There is no guarantee that he will be placed on roster. Unfortunately, that is usually the way it works if you want to join one of the better club teams. Good luck!

Here is an official listing from NTX Soccer that should help:

http://www.ntxsoccer.org/lists/links/allitems.aspx?lt=North%20Texas%20Soccer%20Club%20or%20Team

FD Dallas Youth is in Frisco, and then Texas Football Club (TFC) and AYSES are in the area. Texans is SW on the George Bush Tollway west (Bush), and Andro is Bush Tollway east. Those are the more established clubs in the N of Dallas area, but plenty more to choose from. Good luck, and whatever you do, do not rush your decision. Rec is there for you the spring, and during this time most clubs would welcome you to come out and practice with their teams.


*Note: Solar is a top club, but I'm not sure where they are practicing these day.

Another club in frisco is ASG .. Fees are about the same as others. I know they have practiced at warren park. Not sure on age . A few of the coaches that I like are Dave Kunetz, and alphonse ngon ( not sure on the spelling ). just try not to overwhelm the boy and keep it fun . If he really has the tools, once he is in the system the right people for the right level will find him.

sccr2001 wrote:

newby01 wrote: Any words of wisdom about the Dallas Texans?

I agree with the German, they are a well run club. They are ranked almost every year as the either the first or second best club nationally. I don't have any issues with the Texans.

As for the Texans coach that you may have spoken to. You should be talking to either Densk or Wolf. Both are good coaches. Densk practices at Ross Stewart in Farmer Branch. A bit of a drive from Frisco. Wolf practices at Carpenter Park in Plano, not too far from Frisco. Densk will not be taking his team to Select. Wolf probably is. Densk has a very good D1 team. He also has a strong D2 team. Wolf only has a very strong D2 team possibly going to D1 in spring. Looks like Wolf will be getting a few calls...There has been some interest in the 01 forum about Wolf's team.

Liverpool has a very good 01 team coached by Wilco. They practice out in Plano, close to Frisco. Like Wolf, Wilco is not well known in the area, but is a very good coach.

As far as getting onto these teams, you have to attend practice. The coach will evaluate your kid to see if he fits. There is no guarantee that he will be placed on roster. Unfortunately, that is usually the way it works if you want to join one of the better club teams. Good luck!

Agree about Wilco - good coach and good guy.

plantit wrote:
Another club in frisco is ASG .. Fees are about the same as others. I know they have practiced at warren park. Not sure on age . A few of the coaches that I like are Dave Kunetz, and alphonse ngon ( not sure on the spelling ). just try not to overwhelm the boy and keep it fun . If he really has the tools, once he is in the system the right people for the right level will find him.

I'm pretty sure Alphonse has an 01 team. Not sure about where they are playing though.

Stay away from Liverpool. Any club that allows Melia (MELIAr) to be in a leadership role should be avoided.

forbin wrote:

sccr2001 wrote:

newby01 wrote: Any words of wisdom about the Dallas Texans?

I agree with the German, they are a well run club. They are ranked almost every year as the either the first or second best club nationally. I don't have any issues with the Texans.

As for the Texans coach that you may have spoken to. You should be talking to either Densk or Wolf. Both are good coaches. Densk practices at Ross Stewart in Farmer Branch. A bit of a drive from Frisco. Wolf practices at Carpenter Park in Plano, not too far from Frisco. Densk will not be taking his team to Select. Wolf probably is. Densk has a very good D1 team. He also has a strong D2 team. Wolf only has a very strong D2 team possibly going to D1 in spring. Looks like Wolf will be getting a few calls...There has been some interest in the 01 forum about Wolf's team.

Liverpool has a very good 01 team coached by Wilco. They practice out in Plano, close to Frisco. Like Wolf, Wilco is not well known in the area, but is a very good coach.

As far as getting onto these teams, you have to attend practice. The coach will evaluate your kid to see if he fits. There is no guarantee that he will be placed on roster. Unfortunately, that is usually the way it works if you want to join one of the better club teams. Good luck!

Agree about Wilco - good coach and good guy.

No question Wilco is one of the best with a real focus on development and instilling a passion for the game. Liverpool is a great club and we have had nothing but a great experience for all the kids. The key is to check out a few, talk with the coach and even the DOC( that tells you alot if the doc takes the time to speak with you). It can be a great experience if you invest a little time up front.

Alphonse has on 01 team that practices at Blue Sky. They played in the EAL league this fall and will play SDL this spring.

forbin wrote:Here is a link to a thread you might want to read through which also contains a link to a very limited list of local teams and their practice locations. I like the idea of compiling a list like this one, but it is no where near comprehensive at this point.

http://www.txsoccer.info/general-soccer-discussion-f2/team-practice-locations-t2199.htm

Keep it fun for your kid(s). NTX can suck the fun out of soccer if you are not careful.

So true, I tell everyone just starting the sport that they'd better hope their kid is below average or they get sucked into an unforgiving vortex called competitive soccer.

But, the truth is, any youth endeavor is that way, and we as humans always seeking to better ourselves and mostly our kids, will always seek these options regardless of 'fun'. In only a handful of academy years and a handful of select years - my kids have received lifelong experiences and friendships so - it's all good. Fun to found or, worst case, lessons to be learned.

I'd second the shout-out to Liverpool in the post below mine. Of the five clubs over the years that I've been a part of, it is the one that is doing the most to improve their club and the kid's experience. Given the original post (just by location - I'd look at FCD, ASG, Liverpool and I'd imagine Texans have teams up there). Find a coach and parents that you like and it will all be good - the club/uniform won't matter and rarely does prior to age 16.

"Stay away from Liverpool. Any club that allows Melia (MELIAr) to be in a leadership role should be avoided."

*yawn* slow day apparently......

One thing no one has really touched on is the parents. When you have a team you think you might want to get on, spend some time with the other parents. If you are not comfortable around them or with them then do not sign. You will spend alot of time around them. Their values, beliefs and attitudes are the same their kids will carry on the field .This advise was given to me 5 years ago when we made the jump and it was very good advice.

my2cents wrote:One thing no one has really touched on is the parents. When you have a team you think you might want to get on, spend some time with the other parents. If you are not comfortable around them or with them then do not sign. You will spend alot of time around them. Their values, beliefs and attitudes are the same their kids will carry on the field .This advise was given to me 5 years ago when we made the jump and it was very good advice.

Totally agree - if you like your coach/parents/kids - the club won't matter at all. My kids have moved with the coach and families and we've liked every club (5) we've been with.

Given your location, FCD, Liverpool, ASG, Texans all seem like reasonable choices - they all practice around there. Once you find the right group of people, nothing else matters.

The sour grapes you hear about clubs is obviously not affecting all the players that are with the club currently, so, discount accordingly.

newby01 wrote:Moving to frisco area over Thanksgiving break. My son loves soccer and I hear this area has some serious competition. He's good, but not great. Has always
played recreational soccer and we were advised to look at clubs. Our area did not even have clubs so i am completely new to all of this.
Any recommendations as to where to start looking?? This is actually very overwhelming so i hope to do this the "easy" way.
thanks for any advise

There's not a huge difference between rec and club soccer anymore within the DFW area except for the expense, but, if he really continues to enjoy soccer and wants to continue it, make sure he stays active in school soccer. That's where it seems to be staying consistent.

starbuck wrote:

There's not a huge difference between rec and club soccer anymore within the DFW area except for the expense, but, if he really continues to enjoy soccer and wants to continue it, make sure he stays active in school soccer. That's where it seems to be staying consistent.

You are high. There is a ton of difference between club and rec. School soccer in general is not that great!

Have to totally disagree with starbuck. Have been involved in Mid-Cities(rec) for 12 years, select for 5, high school 1 . Having 7 kids involved at differrnt times and levels I can tell you the three are all VERY different animals.