Valor, VRSC, VSA vs Loudoun?

[Anonymous]

Which of these clubs are best for boys (non elite tier - ECNL, ECNL RL) players? Middle school aged boys, specifically.

Consideration for coaches, training / development, facilities, organization, future of club

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which of these clubs are best for boys (non elite tier - ECNL, ECNL RL) players? Middle school aged boys, specifically.

Consideration for coaches, training / development, facilities, organization, future of club

Been at both LS and VRSC.

All of my kids have played for loudoun rec or travel at some point. At LS it really just depends on who the HC is. You can get the greatest coach who will work on technical skills and game knowledge, or coaches who are just there for a paycheck. Unfortunately if you make a team lower than Red you are essentially just funding the ECNL teams. We have had the most amazing coach on a Silver team who dedicated his time to develop players, and the worst we ever had on Red who visibly just didn't want to be there. We have had kids on the lowest travel team to ECNL and there is definitely much more focus on the top level teams. Weekly newsletter is informative and the team managers have been good communicating with the teams overall. Loudoun Soccer Park is okay, not much parking and they only have two turf fields, but have office space and restrooms onsite and a food truck. They use Bolen and Hansen for a lot of practices but the lower teams get fields that are less desirable. I know teams who practiced at Bles and Potomac Green before.

VRSC has a lot more technical development overall, but the variety of skills on the teams can vary. Our age group just added a third team which has helped a lot. The boys side is very good and getting better. Bonus that the TD attends games for all of the teams that are at their home field. We are not on the "A" team either so its nice that he cares about all of his teams. Facilities at RavenTek Park are world class and its a bonus that ALL of the practices are at the same facility so it takes the guess work out of where you will be going multiple times a week. One stadium that's turf and three grass fields, plus another one that's being developed. They have a large cafe with indoor seating, bleachers at the stadium, and a lot of indoor space that includes offices, workout room, and classrooms to review game tape. Overall great communication from team managers and club staff.

[Anonymous]

All 4 fields at Raventech park at VRSC are turf. I agree with the rest about VRSC. They regularly invest in the club and teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which of these clubs are best for boys (non elite tier - ECNL, ECNL RL) players? Middle school aged boys, specifically.

Consideration for coaches, training / development, facilities, organization, future of club

Unfortunately they are all the same. All are about revenue.. none care much about development. Its all about the specific coach not club…

[Anonymous]

Revolution tied Loudoun with about half the team was players rejected by Loudoun, U16 white. Loudoun has been doing better with some good lower level coaches lately.

[Anonymous]

For below ECNL RL go with whichever is closest.

[Anonymous]

E. None of the above

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: One stadium that's turf and three grass fields

Clearly you've never been there before if you think there are 3 grass fields.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: One stadium that's turf and three grass fields

Clearly you've never been there before if you think there are 3 grass fields.

Seriously...lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: One stadium that's turf and three grass fields

Clearly you've never been there before if you think there are 3 grass fields.

PP meant turf, was typing in a hurry

[Anonymous]

Cannot comment on the teams i am not familiar with but i would stay away from valor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which of these clubs are best for boys (non elite tier - ECNL, ECNL RL) players? Middle school aged boys, specifically.

Consideration for coaches, training / development, facilities, organization, future of club

Been at both LS and VRSC.

All of my kids have played for loudoun rec or travel at some point. At LS it really just depends on who the HC is. You can get the greatest coach who will work on technical skills and game knowledge, or coaches who are just there for a paycheck. Unfortunately if you make a team lower than Red you are essentially just funding the ECNL teams. We have had the most amazing coach on a Silver team who dedicated his time to develop players, and the worst we ever had on Red who visibly just didn't want to be there. We have had kids on the lowest travel team to ECNL and there is definitely much more focus on the top level teams. Weekly newsletter is informative and the team managers have been good communicating with the teams overall. Loudoun Soccer Park is okay, not much parking and they only have two turf fields, but have office space and restrooms onsite and a food truck. They use Bolen and Hansen for a lot of practices but the lower teams get fields that are less desirable. I know teams who practiced at Bles and Potomac Green before.

VRSC has a lot more technical development overall, but the variety of skills on the teams can vary. Our age group just added a third team which has helped a lot. The boys side is very good and getting better. Bonus that the TD attends games for all of the teams that are at their home field. We are not on the "A" team either so its nice that he cares about all of his teams. Facilities at RavenTek Park are world class and its a bonus that ALL of the practices are at the same facility so it takes the guess work out of where you will be going multiple times a week. One stadium that's turf and three grass fields, plus another one that's being developed. They have a large cafe with indoor seating, bleachers at the stadium, and a lot of indoor space that includes offices, workout room, and classrooms to review game tape. Overall great communication from team managers and club staff.

Truer words have never been written

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which of these clubs are best for boys (non elite tier - ECNL, ECNL RL) players? Middle school aged boys, specifically.

Consideration for coaches, training / development, facilities, organization, future of club

Been at both LS and VRSC.

All of my kids have played for loudoun rec or travel at some point. At LS it really just depends on who the HC is. You can get the greatest coach who will work on technical skills and game knowledge, or coaches who are just there for a paycheck. Unfortunately if you make a team lower than Red you are essentially just funding the ECNL teams. We have had the most amazing coach on a Silver team who dedicated his time to develop players, and the worst we ever had on Red who visibly just didn't want to be there. We have had kids on the lowest travel team to ECNL and there is definitely much more focus on the top level teams. Weekly newsletter is informative and the team managers have been good communicating with the teams overall. Loudoun Soccer Park is okay, not much parking and they only have two turf fields, but have office space and restrooms onsite and a food truck. They use Bolen and Hansen for a lot of practices but the lower teams get fields that are less desirable. I know teams who practiced at Bles and Potomac Green before.

VRSC has a lot more technical development overall, but the variety of skills on the teams can vary. Our age group just added a third team which has helped a lot. The boys side is very good and getting better. Bonus that the TD attends games for all of the teams that are at their home field. We are not on the "A" team either so its nice that he cares about all of his teams. Facilities at RavenTek Park are world class and its a bonus that ALL of the practices are at the same facility so it takes the guess work out of where you will be going multiple times a week. One stadium that's turf and three grass fields, plus another one that's being developed. They have a large cafe with indoor seating, bleachers at the stadium, and a lot of indoor space that includes offices, workout room, and classrooms to review game tape. Overall great communication from team managers and club staff.

Truer words have never been written

+1000

[Anonymous]

Depends on the age and coach. But ‘best’ for my kid may not be ‘best’ for yours, either. You need to look around and watch the coaches of the teams you’re considering. Tryouts won’t tell you as much as checking out a coach in action either in a practice (ask to attend one) or at a game.

[Anonymous]

Very few clubs are consistent across the board. Its early enough where you can still go to a few practice sessions/games and make a more informed decision. Would highly recommend you do so.

If you want to ask about a specific age group, you might get some better insight.