Why doesn't FCV move to ECNL?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCV was an early member of ECNL, when member clubs held single-vote blackball privileges to keep out new applicants. For years they protected their turf well, successfully spiking Loudoun’s annual bid and poaching their top players who aspired to play at the next level. As a for-profit venture, this played well with their business model. But when the DA was announced, Loudoun was awarded that bid. In order to hop on that bandwagon, FCV formed a strategic partnership with Loudoun for the DA and left ECNL, burning many bridges in the process. The joint venture lasted less than a year, Loudoun abandoned them and submitted again for ECNL. Without FCV to blackball them, they were immediately accepted. When the DA imploded, FCV attempted to rejoin ECNL but were denied, due to bad blood over their departure. They then became a founding member of the GA.

Their success in placing players at the next level was due to the sheer effort of one person to promote the heck out of his girls. The level of support their players got in recruitment was second to none, again because their for-profit model depended on it. But they were never heads-and-shoulder above the local ECNL teams during the rare times they had matches. Very good, but by no means dominant and definitely not the undisputed best.

Disagree and I have seen those matches...They were much more technical and had much better ball handing skills hands down. Love or hate FCV, there is a reason why this forum continues to talk about their positives and negatives.

They had a reputation for technical skill that enabled ball possession and controlled ball progression without the heavy dependency on individual player physicality (size, strength, speed) so prevalent in the US. With the club all but gone now, who else in the DMV at least tries to play that way?

Bethesda.

And before any of these parents come in and claim that their club plays a style like that in the immediate DMV, go check any recent league games.

https://youtube.com/@ncfusionecnl?si=J7JZEqAs7ezz98kR

Non existent. Majority of decisions are forcing the ball forward, even if their teammate is in a bad spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCV was an early member of ECNL, when member clubs held single-vote blackball privileges to keep out new applicants. For years they protected their turf well, successfully spiking Loudoun’s annual bid and poaching their top players who aspired to play at the next level. As a for-profit venture, this played well with their business model. But when the DA was announced, Loudoun was awarded that bid. In order to hop on that bandwagon, FCV formed a strategic partnership with Loudoun for the DA and left ECNL, burning many bridges in the process. The joint venture lasted less than a year, Loudoun abandoned them and submitted again for ECNL. Without FCV to blackball them, they were immediately accepted. When the DA imploded, FCV attempted to rejoin ECNL but were denied, due to bad blood over their departure. They then became a founding member of the GA.

Their success in placing players at the next level was due to the sheer effort of one person to promote the heck out of his girls. The level of support their players got in recruitment was second to none, again because their for-profit model depended on it. But they were never heads-and-shoulder above the local ECNL teams during the rare times they had matches. Very good, but by no means dominant and definitely not the undisputed best.

Disagree and I have seen those matches...They were much more technical and had much better ball handing skills hands down. Love or hate FCV, there is a reason why this forum continues to talk about their positives and negatives.

They had a reputation for technical skill that enabled ball possession and controlled ball progression without the heavy dependency on individual player physicality (size, strength, speed) so prevalent in the US. With the club all but gone now, who else in the DMV at least tries to play that way?

Bethesda.

And before any of these parents come in and claim that their club plays a style like that in the immediate DMV, go check any recent league games.

https://youtube.com/@ncfusionecnl?si=J7JZEqAs7ezz98kR

Non existent. Majority of decisions are forcing the ball forward, even if their teammate is in a bad spot.

Bethesda coaching culture is disgusting. Children shouldn’t be talked to like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCV was an early member of ECNL, when member clubs held single-vote blackball privileges to keep out new applicants. For years they protected their turf well, successfully spiking Loudoun’s annual bid and poaching their top players who aspired to play at the next level. As a for-profit venture, this played well with their business model. But when the DA was announced, Loudoun was awarded that bid. In order to hop on that bandwagon, FCV formed a strategic partnership with Loudoun for the DA and left ECNL, burning many bridges in the process. The joint venture lasted less than a year, Loudoun abandoned them and submitted again for ECNL. Without FCV to blackball them, they were immediately accepted. When the DA imploded, FCV attempted to rejoin ECNL but were denied, due to bad blood over their departure. They then became a founding member of the GA.

Their success in placing players at the next level was due to the sheer effort of one person to promote the heck out of his girls. The level of support their players got in recruitment was second to none, again because their for-profit model depended on it. But they were never heads-and-shoulder above the local ECNL teams during the rare times they had matches. Very good, but by no means dominant and definitely not the undisputed best.

Disagree and I have seen those matches...They were much more technical and had much better ball handing skills hands down. Love or hate FCV, there is a reason why this forum continues to talk about their positives and negatives.

They had a reputation for technical skill that enabled ball possession and controlled ball progression without the heavy dependency on individual player physicality (size, strength, speed) so prevalent in the US. With the club all but gone now, who else in the DMV at least tries to play that way?

Bethesda.

And before any of these parents come in and claim that their club plays a style like that in the immediate DMV, go check any recent league games.

https://youtube.com/@ncfusionecnl?si=J7JZEqAs7ezz98kR

Non existent. Majority of decisions are forcing the ball forward, even if their teammate is in a bad spot.

Bethesda coaching culture is disgusting. Children shouldn’t be talked to like that.

I wasn't giving an endorsement to their club culture. But aside from old FCV, there isn't another club in this area that has a consistent style of play throughout their top teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCV was an early member of ECNL, when member clubs held single-vote blackball privileges to keep out new applicants. For years they protected their turf well, successfully spiking Loudoun’s annual bid and poaching their top players who aspired to play at the next level. As a for-profit venture, this played well with their business model. But when the DA was announced, Loudoun was awarded that bid. In order to hop on that bandwagon, FCV formed a strategic partnership with Loudoun for the DA and left ECNL, burning many bridges in the process. The joint venture lasted less than a year, Loudoun abandoned them and submitted again for ECNL. Without FCV to blackball them, they were immediately accepted. When the DA imploded, FCV attempted to rejoin ECNL but were denied, due to bad blood over their departure. They then became a founding member of the GA.

Their success in placing players at the next level was due to the sheer effort of one person to promote the heck out of his girls. The level of support their players got in recruitment was second to none, again because their for-profit model depended on it. But they were never heads-and-shoulder above the local ECNL teams during the rare times they had matches. Very good, but by no means dominant and definitely not the undisputed best.

Disagree and I have seen those matches...They were much more technical and had much better ball handing skills hands down. Love or hate FCV, there is a reason why this forum continues to talk about their positives and negatives.

They had a reputation for technical skill that enabled ball possession and controlled ball progression without the heavy dependency on individual player physicality (size, strength, speed) so prevalent in the US. With the club all but gone now, who else in the DMV at least tries to play that way?

Bethesda.

And before any of these parents come in and claim that their club plays a style like that in the immediate DMV, go check any recent league games.

https://youtube.com/@ncfusionecnl?si=J7JZEqAs7ezz98kR

Non existent. Majority of decisions are forcing the ball forward, even if their teammate is in a bad spot.

In my experience Bethesda is the poster child for forcing the ball forward, especially on the girls side. Line the girls up for sprints at tryouts and make offers to the fastest kids regardless of skill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCV was an early member of ECNL, when member clubs held single-vote blackball privileges to keep out new applicants. For years they protected their turf well, successfully spiking Loudoun’s annual bid and poaching their top players who aspired to play at the next level. As a for-profit venture, this played well with their business model. But when the DA was announced, Loudoun was awarded that bid. In order to hop on that bandwagon, FCV formed a strategic partnership with Loudoun for the DA and left ECNL, burning many bridges in the process. The joint venture lasted less than a year, Loudoun abandoned them and submitted again for ECNL. Without FCV to blackball them, they were immediately accepted. When the DA imploded, FCV attempted to rejoin ECNL but were denied, due to bad blood over their departure. They then became a founding member of the GA.

Their success in placing players at the next level was due to the sheer effort of one person to promote the heck out of his girls. The level of support their players got in recruitment was second to none, again because their for-profit model depended on it. But they were never heads-and-shoulder above the local ECNL teams during the rare times they had matches. Very good, but by no means dominant and definitely not the undisputed best.

Disagree and I have seen those matches...They were much more technical and had much better ball handing skills hands down. Love or hate FCV, there is a reason why this forum continues to talk about their positives and negatives.

They had a reputation for technical skill that enabled ball possession and controlled ball progression without the heavy dependency on individual player physicality (size, strength, speed) so prevalent in the US. With the club all but gone now, who else in the DMV at least tries to play that way?

Bethesda.

And before any of these parents come in and claim that their club plays a style like that in the immediate DMV, go check any recent league games.

https://youtube.com/@ncfusionecnl?si=J7JZEqAs7ezz98kR

Non existent. Majority of decisions are forcing the ball forward, even if their teammate is in a bad spot.

Bethesda coaching culture is disgusting. Children shouldn’t be talked to like that.

I wasn't giving an endorsement to their club culture. But aside from old FCV, there isn't another club in this area that has a consistent style of play throughout their top teams.

I second that, I don't think anyone is dumb enough to openly endorse the way Bethesda does things, but the style of play is set in all the teams and when it works its beautiful and fairly dominant in possesion. The system needs highly technical players with familiarity in the system and with the coaches. Only 08, 10, 11's have this currently with a good bet that 2012 will be in the same boat given their 9v9 results to date. Check out a practice, practice making the commute from VA, and definetly go watch a game in person. Its not for everyone, but go see if its for your DS

[Anonymous]

Forums like this should just give you ideas of places to check out. For 10 month commitments everybody should be going out and watching games from the entire club to give them a feel for how they really are vs what they are telling you. I assure you all that most of the time, what you're told up front, isn't going to play out on the field come game day.

BSC, terrible reputation as a club on here. Don't know them personally but each time I've had the opportunity to watch one of their 1st teams, they all play similarly. The same was with old FCV, stuck to a style that they believed in and that players would continue to find success in over the years. And like BSC, FCV and its staff were probably one of the most reviled on here for whatever reason.

Which other U13 club in NoVA is playing like their's?

https://x.com/bobbypup/status/1758847614177431843?s=46&t=jPTvzXlcxTo5CMOdcSvPVA

I don't think you can find one aside from BSC and maybe here or there with the Arlington team. Union claims to play possession game but my eye test says otherwise.

[Anonymous]

FCV will be announcing a move to ECNL by May. GA heard this from CC and that was why he left. GA quickly announced new GA club to try to save their teams but it's too late. The majority of FCV GA teams are staying at FCV. With ECNL access they will now be more competitive than ever going forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Forums like this should just give you ideas of places to check out. For 10 month commitments everybody should be going out and watching games from the entire club to give them a feel for how they really are vs what they are telling you. I assure you all that most of the time, what you're told up front, isn't going to play out on the field come game day.

BSC, terrible reputation as a club on here. Don't know them personally but each time I've had the opportunity to watch one of their 1st teams, they all play similarly. The same was with old FCV, stuck to a style that they believed in and that players would continue to find success in over the years. And like BSC, FCV and its staff were probably one of the most reviled on here for whatever reason.

Which other U13 club in NoVA is playing like their's?

https://x.com/bobbypup/status/1758847614177431843?s=46&t=jPTvzXlcxTo5CMOdcSvPVA

I don't think you can find one aside from BSC and maybe here or there with the Arlington team. Union claims to play possession game but my eye test says otherwise.

From the perspective of a multiyear pre-ECNL Bethesda family, I don’t see this at all. Maybe that consistency in style and emphasis on technical skill versus pure athleticism emerges with the ECNL coaches, but it’s not there in the YDP years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Forums like this should just give you ideas of places to check out. For 10 month commitments everybody should be going out and watching games from the entire club to give them a feel for how they really are vs what they are telling you. I assure you all that most of the time, what you're told up front, isn't going to play out on the field come game day.

BSC, terrible reputation as a club on here. Don't know them personally but each time I've had the opportunity to watch one of their 1st teams, they all play similarly. The same was with old FCV, stuck to a style that they believed in and that players would continue to find success in over the years. And like BSC, FCV and its staff were probably one of the most reviled on here for whatever reason.

Which other U13 club in NoVA is playing like their's?

https://x.com/bobbypup/status/1758847614177431843?s=46&t=jPTvzXlcxTo5CMOdcSvPVA

I don't think you can find one aside from BSC and maybe here or there with the Arlington team. Union claims to play possession game but my eye test says otherwise.

From the perspective of a multiyear pre-ECNL Bethesda family, I don’t see this at all. Maybe that consistency in style and emphasis on technical skill versus pure athleticism emerges with the ECNL coaches, but it’s not there in the YDP years.

Are you saying that they don't do any focus on technique at the younger ages and just worry about size and speed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FCV will be announcing a move to ECNL by May. GA heard this from CC and that was why he left. GA quickly announced new GA club to try to save their teams but it's too late. The majority of FCV GA teams are staying at FCV. With ECNL access they will now be more competitive than ever going forward.

This could quite possible be the dumbest take on this whole thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Forums like this should just give you ideas of places to check out. For 10 month commitments everybody should be going out and watching games from the entire club to give them a feel for how they really are vs what they are telling you. I assure you all that most of the time, what you're told up front, isn't going to play out on the field come game day.

BSC, terrible reputation as a club on here. Don't know them personally but each time I've had the opportunity to watch one of their 1st teams, they all play similarly. The same was with old FCV, stuck to a style that they believed in and that players would continue to find success in over the years. And like BSC, FCV and its staff were probably one of the most reviled on here for whatever reason.

Which other U13 club in NoVA is playing like their's?

https://x.com/bobbypup/status/1758847614177431843?s=46&t=jPTvzXlcxTo5CMOdcSvPVA

I don't think you can find one aside from BSC and maybe here or there with the Arlington team. Union claims to play possession game but my eye test says otherwise.

From the perspective of a multiyear pre-ECNL Bethesda family, I don’t see this at all. Maybe that consistency in style and emphasis on technical skill versus pure athleticism emerges with the ECNL coaches, but it’s not there in the YDP years.

Are you saying that they don't do any focus on technique at the younger ages and just worry about size and speed?

I’m referring to how they play games. Kick ball far, run faster than other team to get ball, score on breakaway. It’s a recipe for success in the early years—if winning games is the definition of success—but I’ve wondered if/when/how they will transition to the style of play PPs describe them playing in ECNL years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Forums like this should just give you ideas of places to check out. For 10 month commitments everybody should be going out and watching games from the entire club to give them a feel for how they really are vs what they are telling you. I assure you all that most of the time, what you're told up front, isn't going to play out on the field come game day.

BSC, terrible reputation as a club on here. Don't know them personally but each time I've had the opportunity to watch one of their 1st teams, they all play similarly. The same was with old FCV, stuck to a style that they believed in and that players would continue to find success in over the years. And like BSC, FCV and its staff were probably one of the most reviled on here for whatever reason.

Which other U13 club in NoVA is playing like their's?

https://x.com/bobbypup/status/1758847614177431843?s=46&t=jPTvzXlcxTo5CMOdcSvPVA

I don't think you can find one aside from BSC and maybe here or there with the Arlington team. Union claims to play possession game but my eye test says otherwise.

BP posted a clip playing against a 3rd level 2010 team. Good to see he has at least one person in here fooled.

[Anonymous]

At least there's the consistent BP hater. Seems like a lot have changed their view of him since he's moving to VDA next year. Kudos to you sir for maintaining your position!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Forums like this should just give you ideas of places to check out. For 10 month commitments everybody should be going out and watching games from the entire club to give them a feel for how they really are vs what they are telling you. I assure you all that most of the time, what you're told up front, isn't going to play out on the field come game day.

BSC, terrible reputation as a club on here. Don't know them personally but each time I've had the opportunity to watch one of their 1st teams, they all play similarly. The same was with old FCV, stuck to a style that they believed in and that players would continue to find success in over the years. And like BSC, FCV and its staff were probably one of the most reviled on here for whatever reason.

Which other U13 club in NoVA is playing like their's?

https://x.com/bobbypup/status/1758847614177431843?s=46&t=jPTvzXlcxTo5CMOdcSvPVA

I don't think you can find one aside from BSC and maybe here or there with the Arlington team. Union claims to play possession game but my eye test says otherwise.

BP posted a clip playing against a 3rd level 2010 team. Good to see he has at least one person in here fooled.

Parent of that 2010 team here. It's our 1st team, technically Brave would be our 'top team' I guess you could say we're the 2nd being in RL.

That 2011 team has talent. Technical, and they play together very well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Forums like this should just give you ideas of places to check out. For 10 month commitments everybody should be going out and watching games from the entire club to give them a feel for how they really are vs what they are telling you. I assure you all that most of the time, what you're told up front, isn't going to play out on the field come game day.

BSC, terrible reputation as a club on here. Don't know them personally but each time I've had the opportunity to watch one of their 1st teams, they all play similarly. The same was with old FCV, stuck to a style that they believed in and that players would continue to find success in over the years. And like BSC, FCV and its staff were probably one of the most reviled on here for whatever reason.

Which other U13 club in NoVA is playing like their's?

https://x.com/bobbypup/status/1758847614177431843?s=46&t=jPTvzXlcxTo5CMOdcSvPVA

I don't think you can find one aside from BSC and maybe here or there with the Arlington team. Union claims to play possession game but my eye test says otherwise.

BP posted a clip playing against a 3rd level 2010 team. Good to see he has at least one person in here fooled.

Parent of that 2010 team here. It's our 1st team, technically Brave would be our 'top team' I guess you could say we're the 2nd being in RL.

That 2011 team has talent. Technical, and they play together very well.

Your RL team plays like a 3rd team. BP has two people fooled!