VDA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD is really interested in VDA but recognizing we live in Fairfax County, the commute to the PW fields is a concern, but VSA isnt bad. Question, are most of the players from PW and VSA or are you drawing from elsewhere? In general, where do you see girls coming from to play at VDA? What is the average commute people are tackling?

Why not head towards the McLean based clubs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was just reflecting on my daughters youth soccer years.

Was going to say something negative about the amount of time spent traveling to get to a better team (played against not for VDA although the landscape has changed) but in retrospect the many hours we spent in the car together was probably more valuable than anything she ever did on the field.

Same. Not to mention the carpool friendships etc. It's really not that far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was just reflecting on my daughters youth soccer years.

Was going to say something negative about the amount of time spent traveling to get to a better team (played against not for VDA although the landscape has changed) but in retrospect the many hours we spent in the car together was probably more valuable than anything she ever did on the field.

Same. Not to mention the carpool friendships etc. It's really not that far.

Sure. OR closer clubs and more time at home together as a family or more times to do other things together than being in a car. It's hard to have dinner together as a family on a regular basis when everyone is always driving somewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was just reflecting on my daughters youth soccer years.

Was going to say something negative about the amount of time spent traveling to get to a better team (played against not for VDA although the landscape has changed) but in retrospect the many hours we spent in the car together was probably more valuable than anything she ever did on the field.

Drove 45 mins each way to VDA practices, worth every second. We talked more about recruitment, colleges, travel, etc. This cannot be understated, if you hate the drive with your kids because they have their phone out and airpods in, you lost the game of life. Commuting isn't a reason to join VDA, but the commute is made worth it because they're a insanely good club, great fundamentals, and your DD will be seen from coaches at showcases. VDA has a very good rep now across country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was just reflecting on my daughters youth soccer years.

Was going to say something negative about the amount of time spent traveling to get to a better team (played against not for VDA although the landscape has changed) but in retrospect the many hours we spent in the car together was probably more valuable than anything she ever did on the field.

Drove 45 mins each way to VDA practices, worth every second. We talked more about recruitment, colleges, travel, etc. This cannot be understated, if you hate the drive with your kids because they have their phone out and airpods in, you lost the game of life. Commuting isn't a reason to join VDA, but the commute is made worth it because they're an insanely good club, great fundamentals, and your DD will be seen from coaches at showcases. VDA has a very good rep now across country.

“Insanely good club” - Thanks, Bob.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was just reflecting on my daughters youth soccer years.

Was going to say something negative about the amount of time spent traveling to get to a better team (played against not for VDA although the landscape has changed) but in retrospect the many hours we spent in the car together was probably more valuable than anything she ever did on the field.

Drove 45 mins each way to VDA practices, worth every second. We talked more about recruitment, colleges, travel, etc. This cannot be understated, if you hate the drive with your kids because they have their phone out and airpods in, you lost the game of life. Commuting isn't a reason to join VDA, but the commute is made worth it because they're an insanely good club, great fundamentals, and your DD will be seen from coaches at showcases. VDA has a very good rep now across country.

When do kids have time to eat and study when they are spending 90 minutes in the car twice a week? Also, while yes, nice bonding, it has to get old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD is really interested in VDA but recognizing we live in Fairfax County, the commute to the PW fields is a concern, but VSA isnt bad. Question, are most of the players from PW and VSA or are you drawing from elsewhere? In general, where do you see girls coming from to play at VDA? What is the average commute people are tackling?

Why not head towards the McLean based clubs?

It is a consideration. I think Union needs to get sorted out. It is unclear how this alliance will end up. For my daughter, Vienna and BRYC pre-ecnl are not good, which presents a good opportunity, but not sure how to navigate this new alliance to get seen and what they are actually doing to create an alliance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD is really interested in VDA but recognizing we live in Fairfax County, the commute to the PW fields is a concern, but VSA isnt bad. Question, are most of the players from PW and VSA or are you drawing from elsewhere? In general, where do you see girls coming from to play at VDA? What is the average commute people are tackling?

Why not head towards the McLean based clubs?

It is a consideration. I think Union needs to get sorted out. It is unclear how this alliance will end up. For my daughter, Vienna and BRYC pre-ecnl are not good, which presents a good opportunity, but not sure how to navigate this new alliance to get seen and what they are actually doing to create an alliance.

Is not a good experience, political games play a huge factor in the FVU machinery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was just reflecting on my daughters youth soccer years.

Was going to say something negative about the amount of time spent traveling to get to a better team (played against not for VDA although the landscape has changed) but in retrospect the many hours we spent in the car together was probably more valuable than anything she ever did on the field.

Drove 45 mins each way to VDA practices, worth every second. We talked more about recruitment, colleges, travel, etc. This cannot be understated, if you hate the drive with your kids because they have their phone out and airpods in, you lost the game of life. Commuting isn't a reason to join VDA, but the commute is made worth it because they're an insanely good club, great fundamentals, and your DD will be seen from coaches at showcases. VDA has a very good rep now across country.

When do kids have time to eat and study when they are spending 90 minutes in the car twice a week? Also, while yes, nice bonding, it has to get old.

I've never had an issue with my 3 travel sport kids getting their work done when they had commutes to practice. All are A/B+ students and excelling at their respective sports. Athletes frankly have some of the best time management skills around. You find the best fit for your kids and make it work. You can have good grades and play on the best team for your kid. These are not mutually exclusive!

[Anonymous]

“Why not head towards the McLean based clubs?”

A lot of the people who have long drives left other clubs that they became disillusioned with. This can happen for a variety of reasons. But for the most part, people who drive that far for soccer are doing so because they left a club that is closer to their house or are trying to avoid something that a club close to their home

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was just reflecting on my daughters youth soccer years.

Was going to say something negative about the amount of time spent traveling to get to a better team (played against not for VDA although the landscape has changed) but in retrospect the many hours we spent in the car together was probably more valuable than anything she ever did on the field.

Drove 45 mins each way to VDA practices, worth every second. We talked more about recruitment, colleges, travel, etc. This cannot be understated, if you hate the drive with your kids because they have their phone out and airpods in, you lost the game of life. Commuting isn't a reason to join VDA, but the commute is made worth it because they're an insanely good club, great fundamentals, and your DD will be seen from coaches at showcases. VDA has a very good rep now across country.

When do kids have time to eat and study when they are spending 90 minutes in the car twice a week? Also, while yes, nice bonding, it has to get old.

You're kidding right? Its not ideal but you just layed out 90 mins of study time theoretically. My kid typically sleeps, so recovery time is essential and can be done other places more effectively too but don't see how being in the car is a negative when the soccer product is ultimately better fit for your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand that PWSI, VSA, and Herndon are feeder clubs to VDA. Do any players from Herndon make the teams? Does playing for Herndon give you any sort of “in”? Wondering more for the boys side. I don’t really understand the feeder club thing and how it works if ECNL tryouts are open to everyone anyway. Are the ECNL coaches watching the kids at the feeder clubs more closely/more often, so they are a known entity at tryouts compared to kids from other clubs? Or is it truly just marketing BS?

If you're a boy from Herndon and the TD hasn't already handpicked your son out of your HYS team and promised you the moon over at VDA, he's not making the VDA team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was just reflecting on my daughters youth soccer years.

Was going to say something negative about the amount of time spent traveling to get to a better team (played against not for VDA although the landscape has changed) but in retrospect the many hours we spent in the car together was probably more valuable than anything she ever did on the field.

Drove 45 mins each way to VDA practices, worth every second. We talked more about recruitment, colleges, travel, etc. This cannot be understated, if you hate the drive with your kids because they have their phone out and airpods in, you lost the game of life. Commuting isn't a reason to join VDA, but the commute is made worth it because they're an insanely good club, great fundamentals, and your DD will be seen from coaches at showcases. VDA has a very good rep now across country.

When do kids have time to eat and study when they are spending 90 minutes in the car twice a week? Also, while yes, nice bonding, it has to get old.

You're kidding right? It’s not ideal but you just layed out 90 mins of study time theoretically. My kid typically sleeps, so recovery time is essential and can be done other places more effectively too but don't see how being in the car is a negative when the soccer product is ultimately better fit for your kid.

studying in the car? Motion sickness much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand that PWSI, VSA, and Herndon are feeder clubs to VDA. Do any players from Herndon make the teams? Does playing for Herndon give you any sort of “in”? Wondering more for the boys side. I don’t really understand the feeder club thing and how it works if ECNL tryouts are open to everyone anyway. Are the ECNL coaches watching the kids at the feeder clubs more closely/more often, so they are a known entity at tryouts compared to kids from other clubs? Or is it truly just marketing BS?

If you're a boy from Herndon and the TD hasn't already handpicked your son out of your HYS team and promised you the moon over at VDA, he's not making the VDA team.

Same goes for their other feeder clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was just reflecting on my daughters youth soccer years.

Was going to say something negative about the amount of time spent traveling to get to a better team (played against not for VDA although the landscape has changed) but in retrospect the many hours we spent in the car together was probably more valuable than anything she ever did on the field.

Drove 45 mins each way to VDA practices, worth every second. We talked more about recruitment, colleges, travel, etc. This cannot be understated, if you hate the drive with your kids because they have their phone out and airpods in, you lost the game of life. Commuting isn't a reason to join VDA, but the commute is made worth it because they're an insanely good club, great fundamentals, and your DD will be seen from coaches at showcases. VDA has a very good rep now across country.

When do kids have time to eat and study when they are spending 90 minutes in the car twice a week? Also, while yes, nice bonding, it has to get old.

The other 5 nights a week they can easily do school work and eating in the car is not hard. If your kid can't manage their schedules you're failing as a parent.