competition and provide opportunities for your child to improve. Our oldest daughter played at the highest level in Utah youth soccer. They travelled, did national leagues, etc. in addition to the usual state competition league. Except on rare occasion, the top level teams in Utah were just as good as teams you'll find traveling anywhere else. At least in Utah, unless your child is the most elite of elite, they will be just fine playing in the regular state leagues. It's fun to do occasional tournaments and play teams you usually don't play....but to consistently do it and act like it's necessary for your child to grow and develop, or prove something to the parents that this is a special team - it just isn't true.
We've had two of our younger kids play for clubs that are less expensive, don't focus on travel, and they still have a great experience, have fun, and grow and improve. When they've shown added passion to work at it we've signed them up for small group or individual trainings which are much more affordable than traveling all over the country.