What ages and program levels does Bethesda Soccer Club offer?Programming begins around age four in the junior path and continues through high school on more than 80 boys and girls teams. Younger bands use the Youth Development Program roughly through U11. Older boys progress through U12–U14 State Cup and top-team options, then MLS Next and USYS tracks from about U15 upward. Older girls move from YDP into U12–U14 play, then ECNL and EDP from about U15 through U18/U19.
About
Bethesda Soccer Club is a Montgomery County, Maryland–based nonprofit youth organization founded in 1979 and rooted in the Washington, D.C. metro corridor. The club scales to more than 1,100 boys and girls on over 80 teams, beginning with a junior entry path around age four and continuing through high school with parallel boys and girls programming.
What the club offers
Younger developmental groups sit in the Youth Development Program (YDP) for roughly U7 through U11, where the club separates calendar-year grouping for some bands and school-year grouping for others depending on age and team level. Older boys move into U12–U14 State Cup and top-team tracks, then into MLS Next (Homegrown and Academy) and USYS options for roughly U15 and up. Older girls follow YDP into U12–U14 programming, then ECNL and EDP pathways from about U15 through U18/U19. A men’s USL League Two team joins the club’s senior pathway in 2026, alongside performance support and community partnerships around the competitive calendar.
Development philosophy and style
Player development comes first at Bethesda: coaching ties technical work to perception and decision-making so players read the ball, teammates, space, and defenders. Teams aim for an attacking, possession-forward identity with high tempo and organized defensive shape when out of possession. The long-range view assumes a multi-year journey toward late-teen readiness rather than early-age results alone.
Tryouts and registration
Families interested in a roster spot register for tryouts through LeagueApps using the club’s posted boys or girls tryout events. Only players who are not already in the club typically attend the first two YDP tryout sessions in many age bands; returning players still register so staff can assign 2026–27 teams. Spring evaluation windows cluster in March and April at indoor and outdoor venues that commonly include GoPlay Performance Center in Gaithersburg, Sofive in Rockville, Bretton Woods in Germantown, Maryland Soccerplex, and Montgomery County high school fields, with times staggered by age group. After the main tryout period, the club still schedules evaluations on a rolling basis through age-group directors.
Who to contact by age group
Boys YDP roughly U7–U11: Trevor Martin at tmartin@bethesdasoccer.org. Boys roughly U12–U14: Brett Colton at bcolton@bethesdasoccer.org. Boys roughly U15–U19: Derek Biss at dbiss@bethesdasoccer.org. Girls YDP roughly U7–U11: Eric Tin at etin@bethesdasoccer.org. Girls roughly U12–U14: Nancy Rohrman at nrohrman@bethesdasoccer.org. Girls ECNL and older: Kevin Layton at klayton@bethesdasoccer.org.
Fees, scholarships, and family support
The club maintains a scholarship fund fed by donations, camps, and tournament proceeds. Need-based aid exists in limited quantity; amounts depend on available funds. Players must first accept a roster spot, register, and pay the club deposit before a scholarship application is considered. Families submit financial documentation through the LeagueApps scholarship workflow, and awards hinge on demonstrated need. Uniform, coaching, team, or club costs not covered by an award remain the family’s responsibility, and scholarship families are encouraged to volunteer with their team or at club events. General scholarship questions go to the office manager at office@bethesdasoccer.org.
How to reach the club
Call +1 240-477-2504 or email office@bethesdasoccer.org for administrative questions. Technical staff emails above are the fastest path for tryout scheduling and age-specific program detail.
Explore more teams
Compare Bethesda Soccer Club with other youth soccer options in your area before making a decision. These directory links make it easier to review local clubs, broader Maryland programs, and nearby team options in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Bethesda Soccer Club train or hold tryouts?Indoor and outdoor work is concentrated in Montgomery County and nearby Maryland venues that regularly include GoPlay Performance Center in Gaithersburg, Sofive in Rockville, Bretton Woods in Germantown, Maryland Soccerplex, and Montgomery County high school fields. Exact field assignments shift by age group and season, so families should confirm locations when they register or speak with the director for their band.
How do tryouts and registration work?Families start in LeagueApps using the club’s boys or girls tryout registration for the season they are targeting. In many YDP groups only newcomers attend the first two tryout nights, while current players still register for placement on the next year’s teams. After the main spring window, directors schedule additional evaluations on request.
Does Bethesda Soccer Club offer financial aid?Yes. Need-based scholarships help offset club fees when funds are available. A player must accept a roster spot, complete registration, and pay the required deposit before applying. Families submit financial documents through the LeagueApps scholarship application, awards follow demonstrated need, and costs such as uniforms or uncovered team fees may still apply. Email office@bethesdasoccer.org for help with the process.
What is Bethesda’s coaching and playing philosophy?Coaches pair technical training with perception and decision-making so athletes scan for the ball, teammates, space, and defenders. Teams aim for proactive, attacking soccer with energy and organization, and the club stresses long-term development over short-term trophy chasing at the youngest ages.
How can families contact Bethesda Soccer Club?Call +1 240-477-2504 or email office@bethesdasoccer.org for general office matters. For tryouts, use tmartin@bethesdasoccer.org (boys YDP U7–U11), bcolton@bethesdasoccer.org (boys U12–U14), dbiss@bethesdasoccer.org (boys U15–U19), etin@bethesdasoccer.org (girls YDP U7–U11), nrohrman@bethesdasoccer.org (girls U12–U14), or klayton@bethesdasoccer.org (girls ECNL and older).
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