LMVSC town hall

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Don't get me wrong, not saying that results have been good. As mentioned, not a big fan of how the academy is working. I think the results are driven by the fact that talent has left and started leaving before he became TD, I just want to know what they are going to do to bring in more players. I think that overall there is good coaching at the club but unfortunately current numbers haven't provided enough talent to provide the results to make teams attractive.

I do apologize if I am coming across as confrontational; that was not my intent. We both agree that the academy is not working, and the poor W/L record is also an indicator. But I think this is further evidence of just how bad of a decision it was to implement this idea. They knew what the numbers were going to be, we didn't. If the academy is supposed to get our players better as well as improve the results, the coaching staff has failed plain and simple. This is their second full year now, so while I acknowledge most of the players that left were primarily red team players, the coaching staff has had time. But to if you believe the coaching staff is good (and I can understand your reasoning if so), then it appears they don't believe in the academy philosophy and are just waiting to get good players--well what are we paying them for?? Also, why do the academy if they knew the numbers were this low?

My short answer: LC's age groups have two teams, nothing else matters to him. He's a good trainer, good coach, good person. I think he's in over his head to be the leader for a club.

No stake in this particular debate, but it doesn't sound like the academy system is the problem here. An academy training program has pros and cons. I think it's generally a positive, but it's most certainly not a magic bullet that suddenly produces dozens of great soccer players. The best you can hope for is that the kids improve a little bit more than they might have done otherwise and the coaches recognize the kids that need to move teams earlier.

Improving a cellar dweller is not an easy road and often takes years. The problem is that coaching, no matter how good, cannot turn donkeys into thoroughbreds. Usually it means getting good coaches, committing to them, and allowing them to build the younger teams who the stay with the club as they age and keep winning. Trying to turn a second team into a first team after the first team left is a truly Herculean task and not a fair test of a coach or a TD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

No stake in this particular debate, but it doesn't sound like the academy system is the problem here. An academy training program has pros and cons. I think it's generally a positive, but it's most certainly not a magic bullet that suddenly produces dozens of great soccer players. The best you can hope for is that the kids improve a little bit more than they might have done otherwise and the coaches recognize the kids that need to move teams earlier.

Improving a cellar dweller is not an easy road and often takes years. The problem is that coaching, no matter how good, cannot turn donkeys into thoroughbreds. Usually it means getting good coaches, committing to them, and allowing them to build the younger teams who the stay with the club as they age and keep winning. Trying to turn a second team into a first team after the first team left is a truly Herculean task and not a fair test of a coach or a TD.

I appreciate your input and viewpoint. The reason why it's so sensitive for many of us, could be the mixed messaging. For LB, it's all about 'LMVSC family, being good citizens'. For LC, the academy 'is the European model proven to succeed.' It was implemented when we didn't need it. We are missing so many teams, and so many age groups only have the one team. So who does it really benefit? I see it at only LC's team--modelling an entire club's program based off of very few teams is enough for me to call BS, because I don't think it was only for LC. I think it was used to hide the low numbers of players and this was during the pressure to sign us back. It was unprofessional at best disingenuous at worst.

[Anonymous]

you know, by renaming an LMVSC White team the "Red team", all it takes is a POOF of magic faerie dust rebranding from LB and they can be highly competitive in CCL1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

No stake in this particular debate, but it doesn't sound like the academy system is the problem here. An academy training program has pros and cons. I think it's generally a positive, but it's most certainly not a magic bullet that suddenly produces dozens of great soccer players. The best you can hope for is that the kids improve a little bit more than they might have done otherwise and the coaches recognize the kids that need to move teams earlier.

Improving a cellar dweller is not an easy road and often takes years. The problem is that coaching, no matter how good, cannot turn donkeys into thoroughbreds. Usually it means getting good coaches, committing to them, and allowing them to build the younger teams who the stay with the club as they age and keep winning. Trying to turn a second team into a first team after the first team left is a truly Herculean task and not a fair test of a coach or a TD.

I appreciate your input and viewpoint. The reason why it's so sensitive for many of us, could be the mixed messaging. For LB, it's all about 'LMVSC family, being good citizens'. For LC, the academy 'is the European model proven to succeed.' It was implemented when we didn't need it. We are missing so many teams, and so many age groups only have the one team. So who does it really benefit? I see it at only LC's team--modelling an entire club's program based off of very few teams is enough for me to call BS, because I don't think it was only for LC. I think it was used to hide the low numbers of players and this was during the pressure to sign us back. It was unprofessional at best disingenuous at worst.

I hope those of you debating the merits of "LMVSC Family" or "academy approach" recognize these are marketing ploys the organization uses to keep you around a little longer. Then one year turns to two and then three and so and so on. In the end, these tag lines feed into your sense of familiarity and are comforting because they lull you into a false sense of loyalty to LMVSC and the club and TD's competency. So much so that most people won't even consider going somewhere else. But think about a product you've used for an extended period of time. Maybe a car brand, a particular food item, or even a dry cleaners. By and large you know what you have and it's "ok". It's not great but not quite bad enough to switch, until one day it does become bad enough and you decide to try a Toyota over your trusty Chevy or switch to cleaners two more miles down the road and, all of a sudden, you realize how much better the new product is and you were simply complacent. That's what LMVSC relies on, your complacency. They continue to feed you a steady stream of, "we have this great idea" and, "trust us, we're your friendly neighborhood club" and they do just enough so that making a decision to look somewhere else is inconvenient and not worth the effort. In the end, you turn a blind eye, you continue to shell out thousand upon thousands of dollars and you stand on the sideline wondering "what if" but remaining complacent and stay.

I spent too many years doing that and regretted it with my older child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I hope those of you debating the merits of "LMVSC Family" or "academy approach" recognize these are marketing ploys the organization uses to keep you around a little longer. Then one year turns to two and then three and so and so on. In the end, these tag lines feed into your sense of familiarity and are comforting because they lull you into a false sense of loyalty to LMVSC and the club and TD's competency. So much so that most people won't even consider going somewhere else. But think about a product you've used for an extended period of time. Maybe a car brand, a particular food item, or even a dry cleaners. By and large you know what you have and it's "ok". It's not great but not quite bad enough to switch, until one day it does become bad enough and you decide to try a Toyota over your trusty Chevy or switch to cleaners two more miles down the road and, all of a sudden, you realize how much better the new product is and you were simply complacent. That's what LMVSC relies on, your complacency. They continue to feed you a steady stream of, "we have this great idea" and, "trust us, we're your friendly neighborhood club" and they do just enough so that making a decision to look somewhere else is inconvenient and not worth the effort. In the end, you turn a blind eye, you continue to shell out thousand upon thousands of dollars and you stand on the sideline wondering "what if" but remaining complacent and stay.

I spent too many years doing that and regretted it with my older child.

Embarrassingly, I think you just described me with a cogent, level-headed post (a true rarity on this forum). With everything going on, I think it's easy to conclude that next season (2021-2022) will be a drastically different one that LB, LC have ill-prepared us (they paying customer) for. Arlington has entered ECNL, Alexandria continues to grow and improve, as does SYC. CYA/SYA just merged, VDA has been thriving; I wouldn't doubt if there are other clubs making moves as we speak. It may be prudent for us to merge with Alexandria or BRYC, but at this point those clubs only want our players and coaches, not the leadership. And LB will not relinquish any role. Instead of letting go of the wheel, she will continue driving the club towards a cliff.

I feel as though we're Greece at the onset of the 2008 financial crisis. The only difference is, our neighbors are our competitors, not allied countries. There will be no bailout, there will be no deficit spending. While I don't think this will be the last year of travel soccer, I do think this will be the last year any families whom are serious about soccer will be LMVSC Patriots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I hope those of you debating the merits of "LMVSC Family" or "academy approach" recognize these are marketing ploys the organization uses to keep you around a little longer. Then one year turns to two and then three and so and so on. In the end, these tag lines feed into your sense of familiarity and are comforting because they lull you into a false sense of loyalty to LMVSC and the club and TD's competency. So much so that most people won't even consider going somewhere else. But think about a product you've used for an extended period of time. Maybe a car brand, a particular food item, or even a dry cleaners. By and large you know what you have and it's "ok". It's not great but not quite bad enough to switch, until one day it does become bad enough and you decide to try a Toyota over your trusty Chevy or switch to cleaners two more miles down the road and, all of a sudden, you realize how much better the new product is and you were simply complacent. That's what LMVSC relies on, your complacency. They continue to feed you a steady stream of, "we have this great idea" and, "trust us, we're your friendly neighborhood club" and they do just enough so that making a decision to look somewhere else is inconvenient and not worth the effort. In the end, you turn a blind eye, you continue to shell out thousand upon thousands of dollars and you stand on the sideline wondering "what if" but remaining complacent and stay.

I spent too many years doing that and regretted it with my older child.

Embarrassingly, I think you just described me with a cogent, level-headed post (a true rarity on this forum). With everything going on, I think it's easy to conclude that next season (2021-2022) will be a drastically different one that LB, LC have ill-prepared us (they paying customer) for. Arlington has entered ECNL, Alexandria continues to grow and improve, as does SYC. CYA/SYA just merged, VDA has been thriving; I wouldn't doubt if there are other clubs making moves as we speak. It may be prudent for us to merge with Alexandria or BRYC, but at this point those clubs only want our players and coaches, not the leadership. And LB will not relinquish any role. Instead of letting go of the wheel, she will continue driving the club towards a cliff.

I feel as though we're Greece at the onset of the 2008 financial crisis. The only difference is, our neighbors are our competitors, not allied countries. There will be no bailout, there will be no deficit spending. While I don't think this will be the last year of travel soccer, I do think this will be the last year any families whom are serious about soccer will be LMVSC Patriots.

Anyway we can pin this to the top of the thread or each page?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I hope those of you debating the merits of "LMVSC Family" or "academy approach" recognize these are marketing ploys the organization uses to keep you around a little longer. Then one year turns to two and then three and so and so on. In the end, these tag lines feed into your sense of familiarity and are comforting because they lull you into a false sense of loyalty to LMVSC and the club and TD's competency. So much so that most people won't even consider going somewhere else. But think about a product you've used for an extended period of time. Maybe a car brand, a particular food item, or even a dry cleaners. By and large you know what you have and it's "ok". It's not great but not quite bad enough to switch, until one day it does become bad enough and you decide to try a Toyota over your trusty Chevy or switch to cleaners two more miles down the road and, all of a sudden, you realize how much better the new product is and you were simply complacent. That's what LMVSC relies on, your complacency. They continue to feed you a steady stream of, "we have this great idea" and, "trust us, we're your friendly neighborhood club" and they do just enough so that making a decision to look somewhere else is inconvenient and not worth the effort. In the end, you turn a blind eye, you continue to shell out thousand upon thousands of dollars and you stand on the sideline wondering "what if" but remaining complacent and stay.

I spent too many years doing that and regretted it with my older child.

Embarrassingly, I think you just described me with a cogent, level-headed post (a true rarity on this forum). With everything going on, I think it's easy to conclude that next season (2021-2022) will be a drastically different one that LB, LC have ill-prepared us (they paying customer) for. Arlington has entered ECNL, Alexandria continues to grow and improve, as does SYC. CYA/SYA just merged, VDA has been thriving; I wouldn't doubt if there are other clubs making moves as we speak. It may be prudent for us to merge with Alexandria or BRYC, but at this point those clubs only want our players and coaches, not the leadership. And LB will not relinquish any role. Instead of letting go of the wheel, she will continue driving the club towards a cliff.

I feel as though we're Greece at the onset of the 2008 financial crisis. The only difference is, our neighbors are our competitors, not allied countries. There will be no bailout, there will be no deficit spending. While I don't think this will be the last year of travel soccer, I do think this will be the last year any families whom are serious about soccer will be LMVSC Patriots.

Anyway we can pin this to the top of the thread or each page?

What's the constant theme in all these pages? LB is always the issue. Not one positive thing about her. She needs to step down and allow others to take over and steer the ship in a new direction.

[Anonymous]

Great, now can this thread go into hibernation until that happens?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great, now can this thread go into hibernation until that happens?

If not for an anonymous platform, I wouldn't be able to voice my discontent with this season. You can always stop checking in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great, now can this thread go into hibernation until that happens?

This thread will not go into hibernation as LB and directors use this as free advertising to keep the name on the list. LB loves the attention.

[Anonymous]

Gunston merger??? then the club can have "C" teams

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gunston merger??? then the club can have "C" teams

Team manager here but in touch with the inside knowledge. LMVSC has approached Gunston twice in the past two years to merge; however, it's not going to happen. It's a personal thing that neither side is willing to relinquish. I've seen the numbers, balance sheets, and have gauged interest for next year; there's a real possibility that the club's underperformance will not only continue but worsen than its current rate. I suspect we will cease operations for high school teams, or, will have to identify a different path for league play. We may have the 2005 girls red fill in for a missing CCL slot, but everybody else will likely be registered in a cheaper league.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gunston merger??? then the club can have "C" teams

Team manager here but in touch with the inside knowledge. LMVSC has approached Gunston twice in the past two years to merge; however, it's not going to happen. It's a personal thing that neither side is willing to relinquish. I've seen the numbers, balance sheets, and have gauged interest for next year; there's a real possibility that the club's underperformance will not only continue but worsen than its current rate. I suspect we will cease operations for high school teams, or, will have to identify a different path for league play. We may have the 2005 girls red fill in for a missing CCL slot, but everybody else will likely be registered in a cheaper league.

Wow, this is fake news. Not only did the LMVSC family gain members this year, but we also gained teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gunston merger??? then the club can have "C" teams

Team manager here but in touch with the inside knowledge. LMVSC has approached Gunston twice in the past two years to merge; however, it's not going to happen. It's a personal thing that neither side is willing to relinquish. I've seen the numbers, balance sheets, and have gauged interest for next year; there's a real possibility that the club's underperformance will not only continue but worsen than its current rate. I suspect we will cease operations for high school teams, or, will have to identify a different path for league play. We may have the 2005 girls red fill in for a missing CCL slot, but everybody else will likely be registered in a cheaper league.

Wow, this is fake news. Not only did the LMVSC family gain members this year, but we also gained teams.

lol. Gained as in had other teams play under their name?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gunston merger??? then the club can have "C" teams

Team manager here but in touch with the inside knowledge. LMVSC has approached Gunston twice in the past two years to merge; however, it's not going to happen. It's a personal thing that neither side is willing to relinquish. I've seen the numbers, balance sheets, and have gauged interest for next year; there's a real possibility that the club's underperformance will not only continue but worsen than its current rate. I suspect we will cease operations for high school teams, or, will have to identify a different path for league play. We may have the 2005 girls red fill in for a missing CCL slot, but everybody else will likely be registered in a cheaper league.

Wow, this is fake news. Not only did the LMVSC family gain members this year, but we also gained teams.

Umm didn't they beg Premier AC to help them out using one of Premiers girls teams so they wouldn't lose their spot in ccl ?