Stop the FCV (DA) and McLean (ECNL) hate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People, I see tons of FCV and McLean bashing. I do think that some people raise relevant points about both programs. Mainly that FCV lacks a feeder pipeline into its DA program and that McLean does more recruiting than developing. That being said, both clubs are very successful at teaching good soccer and at providing talented players the opportunity to grow and excel. For talented girls, you really can't go wrong.

https://www.soccerwire.com/news/clubs/youth-girls/fc-virginia-u-18-19s-earn-no-1-overall-seed-in-girls-da-playoffs/
https://www.soccerwire.com/news/clubs/youth-girls/thirteen-potomac-area-teams-qualify-for-ecnl-champions-league-playoffs/

For FCV only. You just defined why they are bashed. “ For ‘talented’ players”. Arrogance and bait and switch. FCV lies to less “talented” players parents, takes their money and fails to train them with the proper attention, often throwing parent volunteers out there to coach. I’ve seen it across multiple age groups. At FCV, it is all about FCV, winning, and the elite player. If they would stop the facade with the lower level players and teams i would have had more respect. It is money grab (bordering on fraud) at the non Elite level, but yes if your kid is on DA you will be served well unless of course there’s someone better out there to take your kids place ...

OP here, I can't disagree but I would argue that your summary could describe most if not all big clubs. For this reason, I have decided to start my younger kids at Classic/Select and then make the jump to smaller travel at u13/u13 before going for DA/ECNL. Travel soccer is a complete money grab at non-elite levels. I still believe FC Bordeaux has the best training/development of any club I have visited.

You are probably correct regarding other big clubs doing the same thing, but I have first hand knowledge of FCV so that’s all I can comment on.

[Anonymous]

I believe you mean The Saint James FCV DA. Easy mistake to make.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I just never understood the hate for FCV/McLean. I don't think they are different than other big clubs except that they have a better track record.

People say that both represent what is wring with youth soccer. I don't understand that argument unless you are saying that youth soccer is horrible and is a money grab. If that is your argument then say so. Any other argument sounds like sour grapes.

FCV was just purchased by a gym to be an amenity and to sell gym memberships and you are suggesting that FCV is somehow above being a money grab?

FCV has always been a for profit soccer club and you are going to suggest that FCV is above being a money grab?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I just never understood the hate for FCV/McLean. I don't think they are different than other big clubs except that they have a better track record.

People say that both represent what is wring with youth soccer. I don't understand that argument unless you are saying that youth soccer is horrible and is a money grab. If that is your argument then say so. Any other argument sounds like sour grapes.

FCV was just purchased by a gym to be an amenity and to sell gym memberships and you are suggesting that FCV is somehow above being a money grab?

FCV has always been a for profit soccer club and you are going to suggest that FCV is above being a money grab?

Expanding player pool with new U8-U12 teams. More feeder teams = more players to choose from = potential for better teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I just never understood the hate for FCV/McLean. I don't think they are different than other big clubs except that they have a better track record.

People say that both represent what is wring with youth soccer. I don't understand that argument unless you are saying that youth soccer is horrible and is a money grab. If that is your argument then say so. Any other argument sounds like sour grapes.

FCV was just purchased by a gym to be an amenity and to sell gym memberships and you are suggesting that FCV is somehow above being a money grab?

FCV has always been a for profit soccer club and you are going to suggest that FCV is above being a money grab?

Expanding player pool with new U8-U12 teams. More feeder teams = more players to choose from = potential for better teams.

Different feed pool not an additional feeder pool. Once their DA and most of their teams end up in Springfield they will no longer be a draw in Loudoun. They can barely field an 09 team now.

Loudoun will take most of the kids.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know how the St James/FCV tryouts for the younger ages went in Springfield? They went on for months. Did they get enough kids?

[Anonymous]

Some of these anti-FCV folks are mental. I get that recent acquisition will change things but you can't ignore the track record, including the performance of its DA teams to date.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of these anti-FCV folks are mental. I get that recent acquisition will change things but you can't ignore the track record, including the performance of its DA teams to date.

It is a pretty significant change within a very changed landscape.

All those great FCV teams you speak of were formed when it was a two horse race in the area in ECNL between FCV and McLean. In the last two years ECNL has doubled in size in the area as well as DA having three of its own clubs. To act like a location change on top Loudoun, BRYC, and VDA getting ECNL along with MU and Arlington having DA it is a crowded market place.

And add on top of it ECNL taking over VPL with possible Pro/Rel in the mix down the road within ECNL kids have more and more reasons to stay at their club than they have with moving to FCV.

Just look at FCV's ID numbers now versus 3-6 years ago. They are dropping. You don't buy stock based on past performance you buy it based on future potential. FCV is competing in a very diluted landscape and while that doesn't mean they will not be competitive in the future, it will only be because everyone is affected by the dilution. But FCV is no longer a destination club. Kids are more than ever staying at the club they started at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of these anti-FCV folks are mental. I get that recent acquisition will change things but you can't ignore the track record, including the performance of its DA teams to date.

Exactly. You would think that since these people can do confidently read the future, they would be much too successful to be wasting their time on these forums.

Unfortunately for them, the opposite is likely true - they are bitter envious and in denial.

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

I would never take my DC to anything FCV. That would be the beginning of the end of development. However, how do all these people know FCV ID session numbers? Are you hiding in the bushes counting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of these anti-FCV folks are mental. I get that recent acquisition will change things but you can't ignore the track record, including the performance of its DA teams to date.

Exactly. You would think that since these people can do confidently read the future, they would be much too successful to be wasting their time on these forums.

Unfortunately for them, the opposite is likely true - they are bitter envious and in denial.

When tryout numbers for FCV ECNL were in the 70's at rising U13 3-5 years ago and they drop to TEN outside players for the current rising U13's that is not a prediction. That is an outcome.

It isn't sour grapes to say that the landscape moving forward is diluted with 7 elite soccer showcase options in NoVA. There is simply less of a need to seek out an environment where your player can play in a college showcase environment.

Let me put it this way. There are no longer ANY destination clubs in NoVA. Every club now has a pathway and no club is special anymore, not FCV, not McLean, not BRYC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would never take my DC to anything FCV. That would be the beginning of the end of development. However, how do all these people know FCV ID session numbers? Are you hiding in the bushes counting?

FCV parents confirmed the numbers in another post or thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of these anti-FCV folks are mental. I get that recent acquisition will change things but you can't ignore the track record, including the performance of its DA teams to date.

Exactly. You would think that since these people can do confidently read the future, they would be much too successful to be wasting their time on these forums.

Unfortunately for them, the opposite is likely true - they are bitter envious and in denial.

When tryout numbers for FCV ECNL were in the 70's at rising U13 3-5 years ago and they drop to TEN outside players for the current rising U13's that is not a prediction. That is an outcome.

It isn't sour grapes to say that the landscape moving forward is diluted with 7 elite soccer showcase options in NoVA. There is simply less of a need to seek out an environment where your player can play in a college showcase environment.

Let me put it this way. There are no longer ANY destination clubs in NoVA. Every club now has a pathway and no club is special anymore, not FCV, not McLean, not BRYC.

Number of people at ID session is less important than quality of players recruited for team. We won’t know until the fall how good STJ 07 is or isn’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of these anti-FCV folks are mental. I get that recent acquisition will change things but you can't ignore the track record, including the performance of its DA teams to date.

Exactly. You would think that since these people can do confidently read the future, they would be much too successful to be wasting their time on these forums.

Unfortunately for them, the opposite is likely true - they are bitter envious and in denial.

When tryout numbers for FCV ECNL were in the 70's at rising U13 3-5 years ago and they drop to TEN outside players for the current rising U13's that is not a prediction. That is an outcome.

It isn't sour grapes to say that the landscape moving forward is diluted with 7 elite soccer showcase options in NoVA. There is simply less of a need to seek out an environment where your player can play in a college showcase environment.

Let me put it this way. There are no longer ANY destination clubs in NoVA. Every club now has a pathway and no club is special anymore, not FCV, not McLean, not BRYC.

Number of people at ID session is less important than quality of players recruited for team. We won’t know until the fall how good STJ 07 is or isn’t.

Was the stj able to create full teams? Any of them looking to be strong.