I agree it's big. I am one that looks at the big picture though. Not once have I seen a college coach recruit a team. Not to mention that the players that I have seen that play for the full national teams of top 8 countries are beyond simple standouts. They are transcendent players. I have a very high bar when it comes to expectations.
When I first started this journey parents really have the opinion when your daughter is a 12-20 that being on a top team in a top club "give you more looks". I believed it. Now that I have a few years under my belt I am thinking differently as I have seen girls who are starters on "ok teams" fare better in terms of making ODP, getting looks, invites to ECNL teams etc because they are "standouts" on a team and "easily recognizable". It's been interesting for me to see.
Sitting on the bench doesn't help the girl. I was one of the parents who felt that my daughter was better served playing with the "top team" because "iron sharpens iron". It was when I purposefully moved her down she started to be more courageous, technical, leadership shone through that I saw her evolve and able to attempt to become an impact player.
As for the list I would say Slammers, LAG, Surf...