Alternatives to Alexandria futsal

[Anonymous]

With Alexandria moving their futsal program to Maryland, can anyone recommend other strong futsal programs in Northern Virginia?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With Alexandria moving their futsal program to Maryland, can anyone recommend other strong futsal programs in Northern Virginia?

Alexandria futsal/soccer parent here. Frankly, a move to Maryland is mystifying. I don't know what they are thinking.

The strength of programs depends on (1) organization, (2) coaching, and (3) players. Alexandria is well-organized and has attracted a lot of really good players, many of whom are on their top outdoor teams. Beyond that, I don't think the coaching is outstanding - most of them are really good soccer coaches who also coach futsal during the winter. There are better, more futsal-focused coaches in the DMV. But they have lacked organization and sufficient critical mass to attract a lot of top-notch players. One of them needs to get its act together and provide an alternative for NOVA players who would be willing to commit to what fustal clubs like RVA do - year-round training, twice a week during outdoor season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With Alexandria moving their futsal program to Maryland, can anyone recommend other strong futsal programs in Northern Virginia?

Where did you read they are moving to Maryland? We are on ASA and haven't heard anything re that and I can't find anything re their website. I admit I may have missed it so I sincerely appreciate your pointing me in the right direction. Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With Alexandria moving their futsal program to Maryland, can anyone recommend other strong futsal programs in Northern Virginia?

Where did you read they are moving to Maryland? We are on ASA and haven't heard anything re that and I can't find anything re their website. I admit I may have missed it so I sincerely appreciate your pointing me in the right direction. Thanks in advance.

It’s on their website under the Academy Futsal section.

“ We are thrilled to announce a new home for the Academy Futsal program for the 2024 season! Athletic Republic, a premier eight court facility with top of the line amenities, will host many practices, league games, and our own Capitol Futsal Cup. AR is conveniently located within 20 minutes of Alexandria.”

To be clear, “within 20 minutes of Alexandria” is entirely misleading. Maybe if you are measuring from the eastern most inch of Alexandria to the Athletic Republic facility in Maryland with zero traffic in the middle of the night, maybe then its “20 minutes”. At this moment, post-morning rush hour, it’s 29 minutes from Ben Brenman Park. During evening rush hour when parents are trying to get kids to/from practice it will likely be 45 minutes - yay 495!

And that’s just from Alexandria. Anyone coming in to Alexandria from points north, south, or west can expect to tack an additional 45 minutes on what it probably already a 30 minute drive to get to Alexandria. It’s just not feasible.

[Anonymous]

P.S. I forgot to post the link

https://alexandria-soccer.org/programs/futsal/academy-futsal/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With Alexandria moving their futsal program to Maryland, can anyone recommend other strong futsal programs in Northern Virginia?

Where did you read they are moving to Maryland? We are on ASA and haven't heard anything re that and I can't find anything re their website. I admit I may have missed it so I sincerely appreciate your pointing me in the right direction. Thanks in advance.

It’s on their website under the Academy Futsal section.

“ We are thrilled to announce a new home for the Academy Futsal program for the 2024 season! Athletic Republic, a premier eight court facility with top of the line amenities, will host many practices, league games, and our own Capitol Futsal Cup. AR is conveniently located within 20 minutes of Alexandria.”

To be clear, “within 20 minutes of Alexandria” is entirely misleading. Maybe if you are measuring from the eastern most inch of Alexandria to the Athletic Republic facility in Maryland with zero traffic in the middle of the night, maybe then its “20 minutes”. At this moment, post-morning rush hour, it’s 29 minutes from Ben Brenman Park. During evening rush hour when parents are trying to get kids to/from practice it will likely be 45 minutes - yay 495!

And that’s just from Alexandria. Anyone coming in to Alexandria from points north, south, or west can expect to tack an additional 45 minutes on what it probably already a 30 minute drive to get to Alexandria. It’s just not feasible.

PP here. Thank you so much for replying. I definitely missed this part. Athletic Republic is a sketchy place in a sketchy area. There are a lot of fights, etc there. Every time I have been there the police have been called.

FYI Intensity is teaming up with SYC to do futsal at the Fairfax Sportsplex if that is closer to you. Intensity posted about it on their insta.

[Anonymous]

FYI Intensity is teaming up with SYC to do futsal at the Fairfax Sportsplex if that is closer to you. Intensity posted about it on their insta.

Has the Fairfax Sportsplex been renovated any? We went there a few years ago to watch my son's coach play in an indoor game, and it wasn't the greatest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With Alexandria moving their futsal program to Maryland, can anyone recommend other strong futsal programs in Northern Virginia?

Where did you read they are moving to Maryland? We are on ASA and haven't heard anything re that and I can't find anything re their website. I admit I may have missed it so I sincerely appreciate your pointing me in the right direction. Thanks in advance.

It’s on their website under the Academy Futsal section.

“ We are thrilled to announce a new home for the Academy Futsal program for the 2024 season! Athletic Republic, a premier eight court facility with top of the line amenities, will host many practices, league games, and our own Capitol Futsal Cup. AR is conveniently located within 20 minutes of Alexandria.”

To be clear, “within 20 minutes of Alexandria” is entirely misleading. Maybe if you are measuring from the eastern most inch of Alexandria to the Athletic Republic facility in Maryland with zero traffic in the middle of the night, maybe then its “20 minutes”. At this moment, post-morning rush hour, it’s 29 minutes from Ben Brenman Park. During evening rush hour when parents are trying to get kids to/from practice it will likely be 45 minutes - yay 495!

And that’s just from Alexandria. Anyone coming in to Alexandria from points north, south, or west can expect to tack an additional 45 minutes on what it probably already a 30 minute drive to get to Alexandria. It’s just not feasible.

PP here. Thank you so much for replying. I definitely missed this part. Athletic Republic is a sketchy place in a sketchy area. There are a lot of fights, etc there. Every time I have been there the police have been called.

FYI Intensity is teaming up with SYC to do futsal at the Fairfax Sportsplex if that is closer to you. Intensity posted about it on their insta.

Thanks for the heads up! Intensity is a strong futsal program — while playing with Alexandria my kid played them many times and at his age group they seem roughly equal.

Good to know Intensity operate in Northern VA (I never really paid attention to where they were from).

Fairfax Sportsplex is pretty shabby but it’s do-able for making practices. (Alexandria futsal has always practiced in some pretty shabby indoor facilities as well; never had a problem with it; the main issue is being able to make it to/from practices in a reasonable time).

[Anonymous]

Alexandria coaches said they want all the academy kids to play futsal this year. Rec futsal is looking better and better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With Alexandria moving their futsal program to Maryland, can anyone recommend other strong futsal programs in Northern Virginia?

Where did you read they are moving to Maryland? We are on ASA and haven't heard anything re that and I can't find anything re their website. I admit I may have missed it so I sincerely appreciate your pointing me in the right direction. Thanks in advance.

It’s on their website under the Academy Futsal section.

“ We are thrilled to announce a new home for the Academy Futsal program for the 2024 season! Athletic Republic, a premier eight court facility with top of the line amenities, will host many practices, league games, and our own Capitol Futsal Cup. AR is conveniently located within 20 minutes of Alexandria.”

To be clear, “within 20 minutes of Alexandria” is entirely misleading. Maybe if you are measuring from the eastern most inch of Alexandria to the Athletic Republic facility in Maryland with zero traffic in the middle of the night, maybe then its “20 minutes”. At this moment, post-morning rush hour, it’s 29 minutes from Ben Brenman Park. During evening rush hour when parents are trying to get kids to/from practice it will likely be 45 minutes - yay 495!

And that’s just from Alexandria. Anyone coming in to Alexandria from points north, south, or west can expect to tack an additional 45 minutes on what it probably already a 30 minute drive to get to Alexandria. It’s just not feasible.

Wow! That's really far! I just googled directions for normal practice times and it's about an hour each way. Is Alexandria really expecting kids to stay with them? Or do they just want to be out of futsal and this is their way of doing it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

FYI Intensity is teaming up with SYC to do futsal at the Fairfax Sportsplex if that is closer to you. Intensity posted about it on their insta.

Has the Fairfax Sportsplex been renovated any? We went there a few years ago to watch my son's coach play in an indoor game, and it wasn't the greatest.

They're never going to renovate it because they don't have to; it's ALWAYS packed. I go there a lot for my kid's volleyball. It's the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

FYI Intensity is teaming up with SYC to do futsal at the Fairfax Sportsplex if that is closer to you. Intensity posted about it on their insta.

Has the Fairfax Sportsplex been renovated any? We went there a few years ago to watch my son's coach play in an indoor game, and it wasn't the greatest.

They're never going to renovate it because they don't have to; it's ALWAYS packed. I go there a lot for my kid's volleyball. It's the same.

Yep, it's your father's bowling alley with turf and tile. Nobody went to the bowling alley for the ambience and decor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yep, it's your father's bowling alley with turf and tile. Nobody went to the bowling alley for the ambience and decor.

Love this statement, it's so good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With Alexandria moving their futsal program to Maryland, can anyone recommend other strong futsal programs in Northern Virginia?

Where did you read they are moving to Maryland? We are on ASA and haven't heard anything re that and I can't find anything re their website. I admit I may have missed it so I sincerely appreciate your pointing me in the right direction. Thanks in advance.

It’s on their website under the Academy Futsal section.

“ We are thrilled to announce a new home for the Academy Futsal program for the 2024 season! Athletic Republic, a premier eight court facility with top of the line amenities, will host many practices, league games, and our own Capitol Futsal Cup. AR is conveniently located within 20 minutes of Alexandria.”

To be clear, “within 20 minutes of Alexandria” is entirely misleading. Maybe if you are measuring from the eastern most inch of Alexandria to the Athletic Republic facility in Maryland with zero traffic in the middle of the night, maybe then its “20 minutes”. At this moment, post-morning rush hour, it’s 29 minutes from Ben Brenman Park. During evening rush hour when parents are trying to get kids to/from practice it will likely be 45 minutes - yay 495!

And that’s just from Alexandria. Anyone coming in to Alexandria from points north, south, or west can expect to tack an additional 45 minutes on what it probably already a 30 minute drive to get to Alexandria. It’s just not feasible.

Wow! That's really far! I just googled directions for normal practice times and it's about an hour each way. Is Alexandria really expecting kids to stay with them? Or do they just want to be out of futsal and this is their way of doing it?

I had the impression that Alexandria was looking to increase their fustal participation among their soccer players and improve on an already strong futsal program.

However, I think this move to Maryland is just a poor decision; one made with zero communication with ASA parents. And for our family, it’s simply unworkable.

Why send parents through bottlenecks like crossing the Potomac River on 495 during rush hour? Ugh.

[Anonymous]

SYC/Intensity futsal is holding a free futsal ID session on October 1st at the Fairfax Sportsplex for anyone interested.

https://www.sycva.com/news_article/show/1282838