McLean in decline?

[Anonymous]

BSC is in the same league as McLean but I don’t know anyone who is looking to move to BSC from McLean but the there are plenty of BSC kids entertaining a move to McLean. Also, Bethesda can’t keep its older girls. They lost two top 02-03 players to MUFC and Pipeline.

McLean will still get girls who want to play at the top level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Opening up ECNL to Arlington is another significant source of erosion for McLean. There has been a steady decline in McLean's ability to attract top talent starting when Metro moved in next door, again when BRYC was granted ECNL, and now what has been a steady drip of talent from Arlington in recent years has been squeezed off. McLean is now effectively landlocked by Bethesda to the north, Arlington to the east, BRYC to the south, and Metro to the west. All are within about 20 minutes drive give or take.

Maybe more troubling, it is an indicator that Clyde's leverage with ECNL may be declining. McLean has been able to keep Arlington at bay for years, but no longer. Looking at the map, Arlington is really no closer than either Metro or BRYC so I can understand ECNL's logic in allowing them in since they are no bigger a threat than either of the other two clubs geographically speaking at least. Arlington is a much stronger draw than either BRYC or Metro though, so it is likely to be more significant. Add this to the many claims of Clyde's declining performance as a coach/recruiting resource and you've got real concern. You don' t have to look too hard to see evidence of this, almost all the “elite” clubs in the area have more '22 commits than McLean does.

If that's not bad enough, it does not appear that the club's leadership is even remotely aware of what is going on. They are hopelessly old school, standing pat with subpar facilities, and not really engaging in social media or any of the things that it takes to attract today's Gen Z's. It would not surprise me to see an exodus in the younger ECNL age groups to Arlington for next year which appears to be run relatively well.

Join FCV. We never lose, have world class facilities are most important, fcv is not land locked. Impossible to invade other countries with no naval access.

[Anonymous]

Remember when Bethesda use to be good? What happen to them

[Anonymous]

Axe, please meet grind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Remember when Bethesda use to be good? What happen to them

Like it or not, they are still good. Only reason some are hesitant to join them is the yelling of some coaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Opening up ECNL to Arlington is another significant source of erosion for McLean. There has been a steady decline in McLean's ability to attract top talent starting when Metro moved in next door, again when BRYC was granted ECNL, and now what has been a steady drip of talent from Arlington in recent years has been squeezed off. McLean is now effectively landlocked by Bethesda to the north, Arlington to the east, BRYC to the south, and Metro to the west. All are within about 20 minutes drive give or take.

Maybe more troubling, it is an indicator that Clyde's leverage with ECNL may be declining. McLean has been able to keep Arlington at bay for years, but no longer. Looking at the map, Arlington is really no closer than either Metro or BRYC so I can understand ECNL's logic in allowing them in since they are no bigger a threat than either of the other two clubs geographically speaking at least. Arlington is a much stronger draw than either BRYC or Metro though, so it is likely to be more significant. Add this to the many claims of Clyde's declining performance as a coach/recruiting resource and you've got real concern. You don' t have to look too hard to see evidence of this, almost all the “elite” clubs in the area have more '22 commits than McLean does.

If that's not bad enough, it does not appear that the club's leadership is even remotely aware of what is going on. They are hopelessly old school, standing pat with subpar facilities, and not really engaging in social media or any of the things that it takes to attract today's Gen Z's. It would not surprise me to see an exodus in the younger ECNL age groups to Arlington for next year which appears to be run relatively well.

nice try BPup! go awayFCV

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s sunny and warm outside. Go play. The BS propaganda for the purpose of recruiting is beneath you. Do better

Oh Bobby....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BSC is in the same league as McLean but I don’t know anyone who is looking to move to BSC from McLean but the there are plenty of BSC kids entertaining a move to McLean. Also, Bethesda can’t keep its older girls. They lost two top 02-03 players to MUFC and Pipeline.

McLean will still get girls who want to play at the top level.

Why would this be when Bethesda ECNL can handily beat McLean when they have scrimmaged? In particular, their 05 and 06 teams are excellent. Also, MD and VA have different HS seasons which comes into play for girls who live in those different states and who want to play for their school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remember when Bethesda use to be good? What happen to them

Like it or not, they are still good. Only reason some are hesitant to join them is the yelling of some coaches.

The issue is that the club is not what it once was as evidenced by the number of girls who live close to Bethesda’s training facilities but have passed or do pass those facilities to play for rival clubs such as MYS or MUFC.

McLean will be impacted by Arlington but people will still find their way to MYS because of the style of play and college connections. Not all ECNL teams are equal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BSC is better than McLean.

No, they’re not. It depends on the age group. I’d say gender too, but assume you’re talking girls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BSC is better than McLean.

No, they’re not. It depends on the age group. I’d say gender too, but assume you’re talking girls.

Fair point. Boys are not comparable, as BSC top boys teams are much, much better, with lots of VA kids crossing the bridge to play for BSC. As for the ECNL girls, they are similar. McLean generally stronger at 04 and older, while BSC has the 05 and younger years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remember when Bethesda use to be good? What happen to them

Like it or not, they are still good. Only reason some are hesitant to join them is the yelling of some coaches.

I’m actually being sincere. I don’t hear about Bethesda in any age groups anymore. They use to be a big name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remember when Bethesda use to be good? What happen to them

Like it or not, they are still good. Only reason some are hesitant to join them is the yelling of some coaches.

The issue is that the club is not what it once was as evidenced by the number of girls who live close to Bethesda’s training facilities but have passed or do pass those facilities to play for rival clubs such as MYS or MUFC.

McLean will be impacted by Arlington but people will still find their way to MYS because of the style of play and college connections. Not all ECNL teams are equal.

If McLean does not get the athletes the college connection will dries up. You over value the coach/program vs the athlete.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arlington to ECNL was about the boys side. ECNL wanted Arlington boys. They delayed the girls side a year out of deference to McLean.

It is real important to ECNL to increase their boy’s presence. This is where the money is. This will not be the last time the girls side will come in second.

I am confident there are a lot of other Arlington boys parents who do not feel like they are getting the blue ribbon by having to play in the ecnl.

If I were a boys parent I would be pissed. They sold the boys out for the girls. At this point, the NOVA boys don’t have a good league. But the only top teams are Arlington and Alexandria that can play at a high level.

[Anonymous]

ECNL will become a better platform for boys. They can’t do MLS, and MLS Next might be an answer but we’ll see. EDP and CCL are not the answer.