Achilles

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are the rabid anti Achilles posters the reason the soccer forum lost its anonymity and basically died on the vine? I guess they are so lacking in restraint and decorum they’d rather ruin it for everybody than try to show some self control.

The truth may be an offence to some, but it's not a sin.
If statements are statements of fact that can be checked and verified, then why isn't it okay?

If it's obviously personal vendettas that can't be collaborated or verified as truths, then it has no place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK. Cool. The three of you win. Balanced opinions lose. Your bias is transparent and unwavering.

For the anti-Achilles-anonymous-internet-warrior-for-justice-for-the-kids, please temper your accusations of abuse. There are plenty of parents who choose to have their kids play and develop at Achilles. You've even stepped it up to accusing those kids of abuse. Many of the kids at Achilles, including 2010s, have been with Achilles for years. You're denigrating their choices and now accusing their kids of abuse.

Further, no 2010 kids were replaced. And no kids were "stolen" from Bethesda. The parents of talented children decided Achilles was the best place for their kids to develop instead of Bethesda. (other top kids from that Bethesda team went to Paragon. Were they stolen or did their parents also think Bethesda wasn't a good fit?)

The moving targets are exhausting. When Achilles develop kids for at least two years and they move to MLS Academies they were just exceptional players that Achilles had? Not to mention ones that were there longer? If that was the case, "exceptional" players could be anywhere. Club would be irrelevant. You're talking out of both sides of your mouth when you criticize them for not having college commits but don't give them credit for placing kids at MLS academies.

There is only one MLS Club Academy in our area.
Players get there from multiple clubs.
Of course Achilles will have some good players especially at U12 & U13, because parents/kids seeking the MLS Next badge have limited options.
Take away the MLS Next badge and see what happens.

Let's be careful not to just throw around the word development. Some clubs just manage and maintain an already gifted player, or not ruin them in a short time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK. Cool. The three of you win. Balanced opinions lose. Your bias is transparent and unwavering.

For the anti-Achilles-anonymous-internet-warrior-for-justice-for-the-kids, please temper your accusations of abuse. There are plenty of parents who choose to have their kids play and develop at Achilles. You've even stepped it up to accusing those kids of abuse. Many of the kids at Achilles, including 2010s, have been with Achilles for years. You're denigrating their choices and now accusing their kids of abuse.

Further, no 2010 kids were replaced. And no kids were "stolen" from Bethesda. The parents of talented children decided Achilles was the best place for their kids to develop instead of Bethesda. (other top kids from that Bethesda team went to Paragon. Were they stolen or did their parents also think Bethesda wasn't a good fit?)

The moving targets are exhausting. When Achilles develop kids for at least two years and they move to MLS Academies they were just exceptional players that Achilles had? Not to mention ones that were there longer? If that was the case, "exceptional" players could be anywhere. Club would be irrelevant. You're talking out of both sides of your mouth when you criticize them for not having college commits but don't give them credit for placing kids at MLS academies.

There is only one MLS Club Academy in our area.
Players get there from multiple clubs.
Of course Achilles will have some good players especially at U12 & U13, because parents/kids seeking the MLS Next badge have limited options.
Take away the MLS Next badge and see what happens.

Let's be careful not to just throw around the word development. Some clubs just manage and maintain an already gifted player, or not ruin them in a short time.

This is true: There is only one MLS Club Academy in our area. Players get there from multiple clubs.

It can also be true that former Achilles kids are playing at MLS Academies outside of our area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK. Cool. The three of you win. Balanced opinions lose. Your bias is transparent and unwavering.

For the anti-Achilles-anonymous-internet-warrior-for-justice-for-the-kids, please temper your accusations of abuse. There are plenty of parents who choose to have their kids play and develop at Achilles. You've even stepped it up to accusing those kids of abuse. Many of the kids at Achilles, including 2010s, have been with Achilles for years. You're denigrating their choices and now accusing their kids of abuse.

Further, no 2010 kids were replaced. And no kids were "stolen" from Bethesda. The parents of talented children decided Achilles was the best place for their kids to develop instead of Bethesda. (other top kids from that Bethesda team went to Paragon. Were they stolen or did their parents also think Bethesda wasn't a good fit?)

The moving targets are exhausting. When Achilles develop kids for at least two years and they move to MLS Academies they were just exceptional players that Achilles had? Not to mention ones that were there longer? If that was the case, "exceptional" players could be anywhere. Club would be irrelevant. You're talking out of both sides of your mouth when you criticize them for not having college commits but don't give them credit for placing kids at MLS academies.

There is only one MLS Club Academy in our area.
Players get there from multiple clubs.
Of course Achilles will have some good players especially at U12 & U13, because parents/kids seeking the MLS Next badge have limited options.
Take away the MLS Next badge and see what happens.

Let's be careful not to just throw around the word development. Some clubs just manage and maintain an already gifted player, or not ruin them in a short time.

This is true: There is only one MLS Club Academy in our area. Players get there from multiple clubs.

It can also be true that former Achilles kids are playing at MLS Academies outside of our area.

Kids making it from there to MLS Club Academy is in spite of, not because of.
But it also proves the point, team performance and winning isn't key for an individual to move forward.

The kids who move on must be so shocked to make mistakes in their new environment and not hear profanity laced tirades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK. Cool. The three of you win. Balanced opinions lose. Your bias is transparent and unwavering.

For the anti-Achilles-anonymous-internet-warrior-for-justice-for-the-kids, please temper your accusations of abuse. There are plenty of parents who choose to have their kids play and develop at Achilles. You've even stepped it up to accusing those kids of abuse. Many of the kids at Achilles, including 2010s, have been with Achilles for years. You're denigrating their choices and now accusing their kids of abuse.

Further, no 2010 kids were replaced. And no kids were "stolen" from Bethesda. The parents of talented children decided Achilles was the best place for their kids to develop instead of Bethesda. (other top kids from that Bethesda team went to Paragon. Were they stolen or did their parents also think Bethesda wasn't a good fit?)

The moving targets are exhausting. When Achilles develop kids for at least two years and they move to MLS Academies they were just exceptional players that Achilles had? Not to mention ones that were there longer? If that was the case, "exceptional" players could be anywhere. Club would be irrelevant. You're talking out of both sides of your mouth when you criticize them for not having college commits but don't give them credit for placing kids at MLS academies.

There is only one MLS Club Academy in our area.
Players get there from multiple clubs.
Of course Achilles will have some good players especially at U12 & U13, because parents/kids seeking the MLS Next badge have limited options.
Take away the MLS Next badge and see what happens.

Let's be careful not to just throw around the word development. Some clubs just manage and maintain an already gifted player, or not ruin them in a short time.

This is true: There is only one MLS Club Academy in our area. Players get there from multiple clubs.

It can also be true that former Achilles kids are playing at MLS Academies outside of our area.

Kids making it from there to MLS Club Academy is in spite of, not because of.
But it also proves the point, team performance and winning isn't key for an individual to move forward.

The kids who move on must be so shocked to make mistakes in their new environment and not hear profanity laced tirades.

OK. Now I realize why this is so hard and why I'm so frustrated with these responses and I'm ready to let it go. Deep breath. THIS poster (above), the one that's obsessed with the language Sal uses, and disclaims any connection between the club and the players' subsequent success, has no actual knowledge of what they're talking about. They don't know the kids or parents that have moved from Achilles to other clubs. They don't know the kids or parents currently at Achilles. They don't know the kids or parents or coaches at DC United. They have no idea what it takes to develop as a player or to get to an MLS academy. They are not the parent of a high-level player, or they would know at least some of these folks. They are a person who had a bad experience with Achilles. I'm guessing their kid didn't make it onto the top team there, or didn't get playing time, or were somehow slighted. Since then, they've been monitoring scores and message boards for ammunition to attack the club. Time to let it go. You've put it out there. Just stating that every kid from Achilles that has gone to an MLS Academy did it "in spite of" the hundreds of hours of work they did with the club is preposterous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK. Cool. The three of you win. Balanced opinions lose. Your bias is transparent and unwavering.

For the anti-Achilles-anonymous-internet-warrior-for-justice-for-the-kids, please temper your accusations of abuse. There are plenty of parents who choose to have their kids play and develop at Achilles. You've even stepped it up to accusing those kids of abuse. Many of the kids at Achilles, including 2010s, have been with Achilles for years. You're denigrating their choices and now accusing their kids of abuse.

Further, no 2010 kids were replaced. And no kids were "stolen" from Bethesda. The parents of talented children decided Achilles was the best place for their kids to develop instead of Bethesda. (other top kids from that Bethesda team went to Paragon. Were they stolen or did their parents also think Bethesda wasn't a good fit?)

The moving targets are exhausting. When Achilles develop kids for at least two years and they move to MLS Academies they were just exceptional players that Achilles had? Not to mention ones that were there longer? If that was the case, "exceptional" players could be anywhere. Club would be irrelevant. You're talking out of both sides of your mouth when you criticize them for not having college commits but don't give them credit for placing kids at MLS academies.

There is only one MLS Club Academy in our area.
Players get there from multiple clubs.
Of course Achilles will have some good players especially at U12 & U13, because parents/kids seeking the MLS Next badge have limited options.
Take away the MLS Next badge and see what happens.

Let's be careful not to just throw around the word development. Some clubs just manage and maintain an already gifted player, or not ruin them in a short time.

This is true: There is only one MLS Club Academy in our area. Players get there from multiple clubs.

It can also be true that former Achilles kids are playing at MLS Academies outside of our area.

Kids making it from there to MLS Club Academy is in spite of, not because of.
But it also proves the point, team performance and winning isn't key for an individual to move forward.

The kids who move on must be so shocked to make mistakes in their new environment and not hear profanity laced tirades.

OK. Now I realize why this is so hard and why I'm so frustrated with these responses and I'm ready to let it go. Deep breath. THIS poster (above), the one that's obsessed with the language Sal uses, and disclaims any connection between the club and the players' subsequent success, has no actual knowledge of what they're talking about. They don't know the kids or parents that have moved from Achilles to other clubs. They don't know the kids or parents currently at Achilles. They don't know the kids or parents or coaches at DC United. They have no idea what it takes to develop as a player or to get to an MLS academy. They are not the parent of a high-level player, or they would know at least some of these folks. They are a person who had a bad experience with Achilles. I'm guessing their kid didn't make it onto the top team there, or didn't get playing time, or were somehow slighted. Since then, they've been monitoring scores and message boards for ammunition to attack the club. Time to let it go. You've put it out there. Just stating that every kid from Achilles that has gone to an MLS Academy did it "in spite of" the hundreds of hours of work they did with the club is preposterous.

So it's not a toxic coaching environment and they aren't losing lopsided games consistently in every age group for years?

The poster may just be going off league and game results plus videos of the coaches berating players.

But you're right, time for everyone to move on from this topic and let capitalism and the free market take it's course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK. Cool. The three of you win. Balanced opinions lose. Your bias is transparent and unwavering.

For the anti-Achilles-anonymous-internet-warrior-for-justice-for-the-kids, please temper your accusations of abuse. There are plenty of parents who choose to have their kids play and develop at Achilles. You've even stepped it up to accusing those kids of abuse. Many of the kids at Achilles, including 2010s, have been with Achilles for years. You're denigrating their choices and now accusing their kids of abuse.

Further, no 2010 kids were replaced. And no kids were "stolen" from Bethesda. The parents of talented children decided Achilles was the best place for their kids to develop instead of Bethesda. (other top kids from that Bethesda team went to Paragon. Were they stolen or did their parents also think Bethesda wasn't a good fit?)

The moving targets are exhausting. When Achilles develop kids for at least two years and they move to MLS Academies they were just exceptional players that Achilles had? Not to mention ones that were there longer? If that was the case, "exceptional" players could be anywhere. Club would be irrelevant. You're talking out of both sides of your mouth when you criticize them for not having college commits but don't give them credit for placing kids at MLS academies.

There is only one MLS Club Academy in our area.
Players get there from multiple clubs.
Of course Achilles will have some good players especially at U12 & U13, because parents/kids seeking the MLS Next badge have limited options.
Take away the MLS Next badge and see what happens.

Let's be careful not to just throw around the word development. Some clubs just manage and maintain an already gifted player, or not ruin them in a short time.

This is true: There is only one MLS Club Academy in our area. Players get there from multiple clubs.

It can also be true that former Achilles kids are playing at MLS Academies outside of our area.

Kids making it from there to MLS Club Academy is in spite of, not because of.
But it also proves the point, team performance and winning isn't key for an individual to move forward.

The kids who move on must be so shocked to make mistakes in their new environment and not hear profanity laced tirades.

OK. Now I realize why this is so hard and why I'm so frustrated with these responses and I'm ready to let it go. Deep breath. THIS poster (above), the one that's obsessed with the language Sal uses, and disclaims any connection between the club and the players' subsequent success, has no actual knowledge of what they're talking about. They don't know the kids or parents that have moved from Achilles to other clubs. They don't know the kids or parents currently at Achilles. They don't know the kids or parents or coaches at DC United. They have no idea what it takes to develop as a player or to get to an MLS academy. They are not the parent of a high-level player, or they would know at least some of these folks. They are a person who had a bad experience with Achilles. I'm guessing their kid didn't make it onto the top team there, or didn't get playing time, or were somehow slighted. Since then, they've been monitoring scores and message boards for ammunition to attack the club. Time to let it go. You've put it out there. Just stating that every kid from Achilles that has gone to an MLS Academy did it "in spite of" the hundreds of hours of work they did with the club is preposterous.

Bingo. I jumped into this thread out of curiosity and good grief, it's like a Real Housewives episode. The thread died for a couple of years and came back with a vengeance once anonymous postings returned.

Ladies, I'm sorry the coach wasn't enamored with your kid(s)...but that's life, and it happens everywhere. It's time to move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK. Cool. The three of you win. Balanced opinions lose. Your bias is transparent and unwavering.

For the anti-Achilles-anonymous-internet-warrior-for-justice-for-the-kids, please temper your accusations of abuse. There are plenty of parents who choose to have their kids play and develop at Achilles. You've even stepped it up to accusing those kids of abuse. Many of the kids at Achilles, including 2010s, have been with Achilles for years. You're denigrating their choices and now accusing their kids of abuse.

Further, no 2010 kids were replaced. And no kids were "stolen" from Bethesda. The parents of talented children decided Achilles was the best place for their kids to develop instead of Bethesda. (other top kids from that Bethesda team went to Paragon. Were they stolen or did their parents also think Bethesda wasn't a good fit?)

The moving targets are exhausting. When Achilles develop kids for at least two years and they move to MLS Academies they were just exceptional players that Achilles had? Not to mention ones that were there longer? If that was the case, "exceptional" players could be anywhere. Club would be irrelevant. You're talking out of both sides of your mouth when you criticize them for not having college commits but don't give them credit for placing kids at MLS academies.

There is only one MLS Club Academy in our area.
Players get there from multiple clubs.
Of course Achilles will have some good players especially at U12 & U13, because parents/kids seeking the MLS Next badge have limited options.
Take away the MLS Next badge and see what happens.

Let's be careful not to just throw around the word development. Some clubs just manage and maintain an already gifted player, or not ruin them in a short time.

This is true: There is only one MLS Club Academy in our area. Players get there from multiple clubs.

It can also be true that former Achilles kids are playing at MLS Academies outside of our area.

Kids making it from there to MLS Club Academy is in spite of, not because of.
But it also proves the point, team performance and winning isn't key for an individual to move forward.

The kids who move on must be so shocked to make mistakes in their new environment and not hear profanity laced tirades.

OK. Now I realize why this is so hard and why I'm so frustrated with these responses and I'm ready to let it go. Deep breath. THIS poster (above), the one that's obsessed with the language Sal uses, and disclaims any connection between the club and the players' subsequent success, has no actual knowledge of what they're talking about. They don't know the kids or parents that have moved from Achilles to other clubs. They don't know the kids or parents currently at Achilles. They don't know the kids or parents or coaches at DC United. They have no idea what it takes to develop as a player or to get to an MLS academy. They are not the parent of a high-level player, or they would know at least some of these folks. They are a person who had a bad experience with Achilles. I'm guessing their kid didn't make it onto the top team there, or didn't get playing time, or were somehow slighted. Since then, they've been monitoring scores and message boards for ammunition to attack the club. Time to let it go. You've put it out there. Just stating that every kid from Achilles that has gone to an MLS Academy did it "in spite of" the hundreds of hours of work they did with the club is preposterous.

Bingo. I jumped into this thread out of curiosity and good grief, it's like a Real Housewives episode. The thread died for a couple of years and came back with a vengeance once anonymous postings returned.

Ladies, I'm sorry the coach wasn't enamored with your kid(s)...but that's life, and it happens everywhere. It's time to move on.

Achilles is obviously the best club in the DMV with clearly the best coaches.
The results and facts speak for themselves.

All jealousy and envy happening here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK. Cool. The three of you win. Balanced opinions lose. Your bias is transparent and unwavering.

For the anti-Achilles-anonymous-internet-warrior-for-justice-for-the-kids, please temper your accusations of abuse. There are plenty of parents who choose to have their kids play and develop at Achilles. You've even stepped it up to accusing those kids of abuse. Many of the kids at Achilles, including 2010s, have been with Achilles for years. You're denigrating their choices and now accusing their kids of abuse.

Further, no 2010 kids were replaced. And no kids were "stolen" from Bethesda. The parents of talented children decided Achilles was the best place for their kids to develop instead of Bethesda. (other top kids from that Bethesda team went to Paragon. Were they stolen or did their parents also think Bethesda wasn't a good fit?)

The moving targets are exhausting. When Achilles develop kids for at least two years and they move to MLS Academies they were just exceptional players that Achilles had? Not to mention ones that were there longer? If that was the case, "exceptional" players could be anywhere. Club would be irrelevant. You're talking out of both sides of your mouth when you criticize them for not having college commits but don't give them credit for placing kids at MLS academies.

There is only one MLS Club Academy in our area.
Players get there from multiple clubs.
Of course Achilles will have some good players especially at U12 & U13, because parents/kids seeking the MLS Next badge have limited options.
Take away the MLS Next badge and see what happens.

Let's be careful not to just throw around the word development. Some clubs just manage and maintain an already gifted player, or not ruin them in a short time.

This is true: There is only one MLS Club Academy in our area. Players get there from multiple clubs.

It can also be true that former Achilles kids are playing at MLS Academies outside of our area.

Kids making it from there to MLS Club Academy is in spite of, not because of.
But it also proves the point, team performance and winning isn't key for an individual to move forward.

The kids who move on must be so shocked to make mistakes in their new environment and not hear profanity laced tirades.

OK. Now I realize why this is so hard and why I'm so frustrated with these responses and I'm ready to let it go. Deep breath. THIS poster (above), the one that's obsessed with the language Sal uses, and disclaims any connection between the club and the players' subsequent success, has no actual knowledge of what they're talking about. They don't know the kids or parents that have moved from Achilles to other clubs. They don't know the kids or parents currently at Achilles. They don't know the kids or parents or coaches at DC United. They have no idea what it takes to develop as a player or to get to an MLS academy. They are not the parent of a high-level player, or they would know at least some of these folks. They are a person who had a bad experience with Achilles. I'm guessing their kid didn't make it onto the top team there, or didn't get playing time, or were somehow slighted. Since then, they've been monitoring scores and message boards for ammunition to attack the club. Time to let it go. You've put it out there. Just stating that every kid from Achilles that has gone to an MLS Academy did it "in spite of" the hundreds of hours of work they did with the club is preposterous.

Bingo. I jumped into this thread out of curiosity and good grief, it's like a Real Housewives episode. The thread died for a couple of years and came back with a vengeance once anonymous postings returned.

Ladies, I'm sorry the coach wasn't enamored with your kid(s)...but that's life, and it happens everywhere. It's time to move on.

I’d bet good money that the vast majority of posters on here are men, same as on the lacrosse forum.

[Anonymous]

Oh I know it’s mostly men posting.

[Anonymous]

Pioneers take the arrows.

Instead, stick with the established “big clubs”, with 6 teams in each age bracket. They definitely have your child’s interest and development in mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pioneers take the arrows.

Instead, stick with the established “big clubs”, with 6 teams in each age bracket. They definitely have your child’s interest and development in mind.

You're saying the coaches that berate and curse and throw profanities at young players consistently have their best interests and development at heart?
(video, audio and multiple witnesses regularly)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pioneers take the arrows.

Instead, stick with the established “big clubs”, with 6 teams in each age bracket. They definitely have your child’s interest and development in mind.

We are new to this...would you mind naming these clubs for me? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Sal is absolutely the worst coach in the area! My son left his “MLS team” …his choice, without the influence of his parents. Although, we were ready to get him out of there! Sal creates the most toxic environment for the players. Cussing and yelling at young players is unacceptable.
Sal also runs practices that are with many teams at once and it is a complete mess. As a parent, you will never have consistency on where you take your child to practice. Sal and his club are the most disorganized club in the area. Sal won’t play in local tournaments because of the fact his teams always loose and that would just prove his “coaching” is not successful. In all truth, Sal is just a big bully who has a disillusioned lens on his club…Achilles MLS is a joke. They constantly loose, and not by a little and then Sal yells at players.
I have personally been a witness to Sal making fun of his players ( saying they run like girls) in front of other players. So, just a heads up to any parent thinking about having your son play in an absolute toxic and unhealthy environment…please think twice! A “MLS” badge doesn’t mean anything if you can’t even compete in the league!
My son was a starter on his team, a good naturally talented player recognized by many coaches for his talent….thankfully he left before this crazy lunatic Sal ruined him! I seriously hope that parents will put their children’s wellbeing before a “label”…there are many other avenues you can take to get your child to play for college or professional. Sal is just like a used salesman that is trying to “sell” parents on something that is false.
Before making a choice to play for this club, do your research as a parent! Go to a game, watch Sal’s behavior, watch the players faces as they come off the field. Also, look at their stats and how they loose BIG time at every match….don’t buy into a complete mess like I did without doing your homework!

[Anonymous]

My son's team has played Achilles multiple times. Sal will joystick some kids then will take them out if they can't do what he wants them to do.