FCV parents - has anyone heard anything?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCV is in trouble, seems like a house of cards now in the GAL and would jump at chance to get into ECNL

I fully expect they will get in eventually. I think the combination of some bad blood, and the desire to moderate growth of ECNL has only delayed their re-entry.

Why bother, ECNL is weak in this area. Only Richmond offers any competitive matches. ECNL has already grown too large to provide consolidation of talent, so it will remain a B league.

One would presume then, that you have GA as the A league. One look at the scores there so far, and to come in the weeks ahead will dispel that notion. Both leagues are pretty watered down in the mid-atlantic area.

Completely agree. The reality is that there isn’t a dominant A league for girls right now in Virginia. In this region, Richmond United (ECNL), Arlington (GA), VDA (ECNL), and FCV (GA) have performed best on average from 05s down. I’m assuming that 02/03s and 04s stayed put through the drama of the last few years so those teams aren’t indicative of the future of any clubs.

Mclean (ECNL), BRYC (ECNL), Loudoun (ECNL), and Metro (GA) are uneven, at best, from 05 to younger, and some are frankly on the brink of collapse. Mclean has Clyde and college placement, Loudoun has a huge feeder base, BRYC has the fumes of past glory, and Metro has hunger, but it’s not clear to me that any of those things indicate future performance.

Even Maryland’s getting wacky now that there’s Bethesda (ECNL), Maryland United (ECNL), Baltimore Armour (GA), Pipeline (ECNL), and Baltimore Celtic Union (GA) in the mix. There used to be a little more talent consolidation north of the Potomac.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCV is in trouble, seems like a house of cards now in the GAL and would jump at chance to get into ECNL

I fully expect they will get in eventually. I think the combination of some bad blood, and the desire to moderate growth of ECNL has only delayed their re-entry.

Why bother, ECNL is weak in this area. Only Richmond offers any competitive matches. ECNL has already grown too large to provide consolidation of talent, so it will remain a B league.

One would presume then, that you have GA as the A league. One look at the scores there so far, and to come in the weeks ahead will dispel that notion. Both leagues are pretty watered down in the mid-atlantic area.

Completely agree. The reality is that there isn’t a dominant A league for girls right now in Virginia. In this region, Richmond United (ECNL), Arlington (GA), VDA (ECNL), and FCV (GA) have performed best on average from 05s down. I’m assuming that 02/03s and 04s stayed put through the drama of the last few years so those teams aren’t indicative of the future of any clubs.

Mclean (ECNL), BRYC (ECNL), Loudoun (ECNL), and Metro (GA) are uneven, at best, from 05 to younger, and some are frankly on the brink of collapse. Mclean has Clyde and college placement, Loudoun has a huge feeder base, BRYC has the fumes of past glory, and Metro has hunger, but it’s not clear to me that any of those things indicate future performance.

Even Maryland’s getting wacky now that there’s Bethesda (ECNL), Maryland United (ECNL), Baltimore Armour (GA), Pipeline (ECNL), and Baltimore Celtic Union (GA) in the mix. There used to be a little more talent consolidation north of the Potomac.

Will be interesting to see if all of the above teams maintain their league affiliations next year. On a national level there may be some movement of top teams from GA to ECNL in the spring.

Not sure I agree with the previous poster about the area being watered down. I think each club is likely to have an individual team that is below average within its league with so many teams but that does not mean that area or the clubs are "watered down."

Teams developing and retaining their own talent from a young age will likely be more of the key to success going forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How are the new coaches that TSJ brought in doing so far?Which teams are they coaching and where? Loudoun or Springfield? NPL / EDP or GA? Always looking for better coaches for my kid, hence the question.

New coaches are fine. The GA teams are solely out of Loudoun. I don't know if the club has teams in Springfield.

The new coaches have observed GA practices mainly and coach the United and other teams.

Oooooooh so that’s why Loudoun $occer is so toxic and spewes venomous rancid vitriol against FCV at every chance? So besides having solid and proved competitive results they’re also taking away their players? In a way I get the jealousy and stuff but regardless that attitude and falling so low makes L$ look like sh1t

FCV used to take Loudoun players but Loudoun players are staying put now at the younger ages.

That’s only because parents don’t know better and aren’t aware of the scams and subpar facade-style coaching. When you have the daughter of one of the coaches jump in straight into your second tier with an E license over people that have been in the club with C’s and B’s for a good amount of time (in my case nearing the decade) you know nepotism is rampant and it’s all about their tight-knit British circle.

A classic meme of shut up and take my money!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How are the new coaches that TSJ brought in doing so far?Which teams are they coaching and where? Loudoun or Springfield? NPL / EDP or GA? Always looking for better coaches for my kid, hence the question.

New coaches are fine. The GA teams are solely out of Loudoun. I don't know if the club has teams in Springfield.

The new coaches have observed GA practices mainly and coach the United and other teams.

Oooooooh so that’s why Loudoun $occer is so toxic and spewes venomous rancid vitriol against FCV at every chance? So besides having solid and proved competitive results they’re also taking away their players? In a way I get the jealousy and stuff but regardless that attitude and falling so low makes L$ look like sh1t

FCV used to take Loudoun players but Loudoun players are staying put now at the younger ages.

That’s only because parents don’t know better and aren’t aware of the scams and subpar facade-style coaching. When you have the daughter of one of the coaches jump in straight into your second tier with an E license over people that have been in the club with C’s and B’s for a good amount of time (in my case nearing the decade) you know nepotism is rampant and it’s all about their tight-knit British circle.

A classic meme of shut up and take my money!

Interesting comment in the above, as this describes exactly Loudoun Soccer, including friends, brothers, and relatives kids getting placement on top teams, etc. Good work!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How are the new coaches that TSJ brought in doing so far?Which teams are they coaching and where? Loudoun or Springfield? NPL / EDP or GA? Always looking for better coaches for my kid, hence the question.

New coaches are fine. The GA teams are solely out of Loudoun. I don't know if the club has teams in Springfield.

The new coaches have observed GA practices mainly and coach the United and other teams.

Oooooooh so that’s why Loudoun $occer is so toxic and spewes venomous rancid vitriol against FCV at every chance? So besides having solid and proved competitive results they’re also taking away their players? In a way I get the jealousy and stuff but regardless that attitude and falling so low makes L$ look like sh1t

Wtf are you talking about? I was asking about TSJ coaches not asking about LS or general player movement, but thanks for the rant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
That’s only because parents don’t know better and aren’t aware of the scams and subpar facade-style coaching. When you have the daughter of one of the coaches jump in straight into your second tier with an E license over people that have been in the club with C’s and B’s for a good amount of time (in my case nearing the decade) you know nepotism is rampant and it’s all about their tight-knit British circle.

A classic meme of shut up and take my money!

RA and nepotism?!? Surely not! LOL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCV is in trouble, seems like a house of cards now in the GAL and would jump at chance to get into ECNL

I fully expect they will get in eventually. I think the combination of some bad blood, and the desire to moderate growth of ECNL has only delayed their re-entry.

Why bother, ECNL is weak in this area. Only Richmond offers any competitive matches. ECNL has already grown too large to provide consolidation of talent, so it will remain a B league.

One would presume then, that you have GA as the A league. One look at the scores there so far, and to come in the weeks ahead will dispel that notion. Both leagues are pretty watered down in the mid-atlantic area.

Completely agree. The reality is that there isn’t a dominant A league for girls right now in Virginia. In this region, Richmond United (ECNL), Arlington (GA), VDA (ECNL), and FCV (GA) have performed best on average from 05s down. I’m assuming that 02/03s and 04s stayed put through the drama of the last few years so those teams aren’t indicative of the future of any clubs.

Mclean (ECNL), BRYC (ECNL), Loudoun (ECNL), and Metro (GA) are uneven, at best, from 05 to younger, and some are frankly on the brink of collapse. Mclean has Clyde and college placement, Loudoun has a huge feeder base, BRYC has the fumes of past glory, and Metro has hunger, but it’s not clear to me that any of those things indicate future performance.

Even Maryland’s getting wacky now that there’s Bethesda (ECNL), Maryland United (ECNL), Baltimore Armour (GA), Pipeline (ECNL), and Baltimore Celtic Union (GA) in the mix. There used to be a little more talent consolidation north of the Potomac.

While there isn't a dominant A league in terms of level of play at the top, based on the admittedly few games played so far, I think we will find that ECNL is more balanced top to bottom. There have not typically been 10-0 blowouts in ECNL games in years past. With that said, the only thing constant in youth soccer is change, and who knows how this will evolve in the coming years. Find a coach and club you like (can tolerate?) in a league that provides built in recruiting (if that is the players goal), and re-evaluate every year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FCV is in trouble, seems like a house of cards now in the GAL and would jump at chance to get into ECNL

I fully expect they will get in eventually. I think the combination of some bad blood, and the desire to moderate growth of ECNL has only delayed their re-entry.

Why bother, ECNL is weak in this area. Only Richmond offers any competitive matches. ECNL has already grown too large to provide consolidation of talent, so it will remain a B league.

One would presume then, that you have GA as the A league. One look at the scores there so far, and to come in the weeks ahead will dispel that notion. Both leagues are pretty watered down in the mid-atlantic area.

Completely agree. The reality is that there isn’t a dominant A league for girls right now in Virginia. In this region, Richmond United (ECNL), Arlington (GA), VDA (ECNL), and FCV (GA) have performed best on average from 05s down. I’m assuming that 02/03s and 04s stayed put through the drama of the last few years so those teams aren’t indicative of the future of any clubs.

Mclean (ECNL), BRYC (ECNL), Loudoun (ECNL), and Metro (GA) are uneven, at best, from 05 to younger, and some are frankly on the brink of collapse. Mclean has Clyde and college placement, Loudoun has a huge feeder base, BRYC has the fumes of past glory, and Metro has hunger, but it’s not clear to me that any of those things indicate future performance.

Even Maryland’s getting wacky now that there’s Bethesda (ECNL), Maryland United (ECNL), Baltimore Armour (GA), Pipeline (ECNL), and Baltimore Celtic Union (GA) in the mix. There used to be a little more talent consolidation north of the Potomac.

While there isn't a dominant A league in terms of level of play at the top, based on the admittedly few games played so far, I think we will find that ECNL is more balanced top to bottom. There have not typically been 10-0 blowouts in ECNL games in years past. With that said, the only thing constant in youth soccer is change, and who knows how this will evolve in the coming years. Find a coach and club you like (can tolerate?) in a league that provides built in recruiting (if that is the players goal), and re-evaluate every year.

You must’ve missed Loudoun $occer scoreboards from last year. They got blown out in about 90% of the games. McLean put a 9-1 on their oldest girls team... that’s one example. The 03s lost every game and scored only 1 goal. LOL

[Anonymous]

Agree that ECNL will be stronger top to bottom immediately. Also, GAL will not be able to compete with ECNL as a national league as college coaches focus their limited time and resources at ECNL events/clubs and more GAL players/clubs migrate to ECNL in coming years

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree that ECNL will be stronger top to bottom immediately. Also, GAL will not be able to compete with ECNL as a national league as college coaches focus their limited time and resources at ECNL events/clubs and more GAL players/clubs migrate to ECNL in coming years

Not true.

Coaches will go to the events that can support their program. UNC is not going to the second tier ECNL events either. Top programs will target top players in both leagues. After that there are a lot of kids to sift through.

ECNL expanded a lot over the last two years so frankly they are as watered down now as any league talent wise. Mid level programs will focus regionally just as they always have and both leagues will provide showcases that will cater to all programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree that ECNL will be stronger top to bottom immediately. Also, GAL will not be able to compete with ECNL as a national league as college coaches focus their limited time and resources at ECNL events/clubs and more GAL players/clubs migrate to ECNL in coming years

Disagree. ECNL will have a few top teams and GAL will have a few. Blowouts will occur in both leagues, just like in CCL, EDP, etc... no league will dominate. College coaches will identify perspective players at ID camps and than go see them play wherever they may be. GAL players won’t migrate to weaker teams because the lack of strong players will impact their development, so there won’t be any major shift from GAL to ECNL. Geography and demographics will determine which clubs continue to produce top players, not leagues. Only when leagues actually become focused on performance v. generating revenue, will any sort of meaningful national league emerge. Membership in a league, now more than ever, is meaningless. I know it’s hard to swallow, but a patch on a sleeve doesn’t mean you are talented. Talent stands out on its own, everything else is just revenue for the coach, club and league. The only hope now is for ODP to come back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that ECNL will be stronger top to bottom immediately. Also, GAL will not be able to compete with ECNL as a national league as college coaches focus their limited time and resources at ECNL events/clubs and more GAL players/clubs migrate to ECNL in coming years

Disagree. ECNL will have a few top teams and GAL will have a few. Blowouts will occur in both leagues, just like in CCL, EDP, etc... no league will dominate. College coaches will identify perspective players at ID camps and than go see them play wherever they may be. GAL players won’t migrate to weaker teams because the lack of strong players will impact their development, so there won’t be any major shift from GAL to ECNL. Geography and demographics will determine which clubs continue to produce top players, not leagues. Only when leagues actually become focused on performance v. generating revenue, will any sort of meaningful national league emerge. Membership in a league, now more than ever, is meaningless. I know it’s hard to swallow, but a patch on a sleeve doesn’t mean you are talented. Talent stands out on its own, everything else is just revenue for the coach, club and league. The only hope now is for ODP to come back.

This is the right answer, only the ECNL shills disagree.

[Anonymous]

Agree that coaches will find talent wherever it is. But there will be more talent in ECNL than GAL this year and that difference will only grow over time. Some GAL teams will be excellent and more power to coaches that can keep them together. But ECNL is a proven, stable pathway for all involved in girl’s youth soccer and if they didn’t collapse going against the DA/US Soccer they will have no problem with the GAL long term

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree that coaches will find talent wherever it is. But there will be more talent in ECNL than GAL this year and that difference will only grow over time. Some GAL teams will be excellent and more power to coaches that can keep them together. But ECNL is a proven, stable pathway for all involved in girl’s youth soccer and if they didn’t collapse going against the DA/US Soccer they will have no problem with the GAL long term

Not in the mid Atlantic region, which is a big college recruiting area. So, your theory is very flawed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that coaches will find talent wherever it is. But there will be more talent in ECNL than GAL this year and that difference will only grow over time. Some GAL teams will be excellent and more power to coaches that can keep them together. But ECNL is a proven, stable pathway for all involved in girl’s youth soccer and if they didn’t collapse going against the DA/US Soccer they will have no problem with the GAL long term

Not in the mid Atlantic region, which is a big college recruiting area. So, your theory is very flawed.

Agree. From about the 2004s and younger, the talent isn’t in ECNL. I know the OP wants to believe that their kid has talent because she made the ECNL team, but somebody has to foot the bill. Don’t get my wrong, it’s good to have a lot mediocre ‘elite’ teams in the area. It provides options for those with money but lacking passion and talent to feed their Mia Hamm/ Alex Morgan dreams. The truly talented and passionate players will seek stronger players and teams to improve and challenge themselves. BTW, it’s not hanging out with a middle to bottom of the table squad.