No one here who knows the truth about Achilles toxic abusive coaching environment and consistent poor performance across all age groups is buying the marketing you're selling. However, if you love your kid getting berated with profanities on a regular while learning technical drills instead of all the other aspects of the game, then you're in the right place for you. |
Which level team OP? |
Yup. Your kid will get technically better, but will never learn the game thanks to constant joysticking amongst all teams and age groups. It's like being in school and learning lessons by rote...you might gain knowledge, but you'll never lean how to think. |
Agree that Achilles needs to do a better job with the second team. It is awful how little they invest. ![]() |
Achilles is about training. Not about club/teams. |
Based on the many years of boy's soccer training and club teams, Bethesda is probably the best choice. I would have to agree with the comments about Achilles. The second team does not get the same attention as the first team and there were some games when we didn't have a coach and the manager had to step in which was a big issue. The toxic style and berating has been a long standing issue and that is Sal's style-will never change and is just who he is, and why would anyone pay for that? Lots of turnover in Achilles teams because parents soon realize it is not worth it. The training and location might be ideal, but looking back, I wish we gave the exorbitant fees to a club that was more focused on development beyond the first teams, inspiring the players and creating a sense of team. Potomac Soccer boys has had some solid teams, but it depends on the age and coach.
Good luck in your search. Some of these clubs just don't have the right things to support creating good teams -- effective coaching, respect and consistent/quality training. |
Achilles caters to those parents who think an abusive coach "toughens a kid up" despite studies, evidence, and even professional players saying coaches like the ones at Achilles have been harmful to their development. You can really spend your money more wisely. |
Please don't pretend to speak for Achilles parents. In my son's three years at Achilles no coach was abusive toward him. And you have no idea what the relationships between the coaches and the kids or the parents are. If you have a specific experience, share it, especially if your son has had a great experience and/or soccer development elsewhere after leaving Achilles. Take your chance to be positive. |
Did you seriously say there is no verbal abuse going on at that club? You must be new to this forum. There are many eye-witness accounts and videos as evidence out there. |
I'm asking about your experience. Go ahead. I gave you mine. What I said was, my son suffered zero abuse over three years at the club. He had, and has, a positive relationship with all the coaches there, including Sal. Don't tell be about the forum. And don't try to speak for other people. I saw the SYC video, if that's what you're referencing. And like I said, you have no idea what the relationships are between the coaches and those kids and those parents. Some of them have been with Achilles/Sal since they were 5 and your bashing of them is tiresome, unwarranted, and entirely speculative. |
And again, please tell us where your son went that improved his soccer development and had a better culture. I honestly think people would like to know the positive experiences folks have had. How's your son doing at the new place. If you've never been at Achilles, fine, it's still OK to say positive things on here and give your grudge some time to breathe. |
Stockholm Syndrome |
That's what I thought. Nothing to add. Just more uninformed bashing. |
So the yelling cursing and swearing at players is not a fact? Why are so many people making it up consistently? Why should people not believe their ears and eyes? |
"...you have no idea what the relationships are between the coaches and those kids and those parents." Are you really trying to say the verbal abuse and psychological negativity is 'okay' if the parents sign-off on it? Can you hear yourself. |