Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss Part II

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking for any feedback on the FCBEscola in Leesburg. Are they legit? Your thoughts are much appreciated.

No personal experience yet - other than their camp last summer - but the reviews I've heard and seen from multiple parents have all been very positive so far. The coaches are very good. Unlike the plethora of local clubs that suddenly re-brand themselves by "partnering" with a well-known international club, I think the FCBEscola staff is mostly made up of Spanish coaches who have moved here for this job. The training philosophy and curriculum is straight from FCBEscola in Barcelona.

Note that none of that is to be confused with FCB's youth academy - la Masia. The Escola is exactly what the name implies - a soccer school. It's purpose is not to develop future professionals. It is to teach quality soccer along with good values.

The main drawbacks from what I've heard are - (1) the cost is on the high side. I think it's around $2300 a year or thereabouts. In my opinion that's a fair price for 3x week year-round training with a 100% professional staff, TD on site and actively involved at every session, etc..., but it's still a decent chunk of change. This is clearly not being subsidized by the parent club (as it might be if they were actually hoping to use it as a scouting platform to find players). (2) No league play. They still have games every Saturday, but they are mostly intra-club scrimmages, with a few friendlies vs local clubs thrown in, as well as several tournaments a year. (3) Talent pool. Again I think this is only an issue if your expectations don't match what they are really trying to do. At least for now, they are not intending to come in and establish themselves as an elite, ultra-competitive club in this area. They are not going to be able to compete with the talent level that the DA/ECNL clubs draw. That all could change if they applied for and were granted that status, but I don't think that's really what they are after. All that being said, the players that I know who are currently there are all very good, technical (in some cases extremely technical), smart players. Most of them are just a slight bit below the DA level, but I also know of at least a couple who voluntarily left DA clubs to pursue better training at the Escola.

HTH

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking for any feedback on the FCBEscola in Leesburg. Are they legit? Your thoughts are much appreciated.

Been with FCB since last year’s inaugural season and have been very impressed. The coaches and training is top notch. Many very good players. Director and most coaches are from Spain and get trained regularly in Barcelona. Very professionally run. It’s trying for a different approach than other clubs in the area that I’ve seen. Development focused, possession soccer, values, sportsmanship first. Opportunities for teams to travel to Barcelona and train and play with Escolas from all over the world. International trips are pay to play, billed more as experiences rather than competitions. Next season will see more external competition, tournaments and league play in the spring to give time to develop as teams. Next year will be changing to FCB “Academy” instead of Escola (happening to escolas all over the world). Definitely recommend taking a look esp if you are looking for a development focused approach instead of only winning.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the feedback. It sounds like eventually it will be a legit option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know many coaches who roster 18 at u13. They may do 16.

that's what we are expecting at u13 for our team next year - roster of about 16 or so to start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just to put this discussion about Bolivia to rest. Notice which Latin American countries are ranked in the top 5 and top 20 globally and which country is not. By definition, top 20 placement means strong. Under any measurement you use, Bolivia is not a serious soccer country. That is not meant to disrespect Bolivia but if you are going to say that "Bolivia" gives an adult league any credibility you need to get serious. http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/index.html

And yet, the typical Bolivian is going to be far more into soccer than the typical American.

You could say "Scottish adult league," and you know it's going to be intense even if Scotland's national team is nowhere near where it used to be. If you want to see a weak adult league, say "Suburban Dads' adult league." Maybe the U.S. national team is a bit better than Scotland's or Bolivia's (or maybe not), but unless Christian Pulisic shows up to play, that doesn't matter.

And in this area, the memories of seeing Etcheverry and Moreno tear up MLS (and CONCACAF) are strong, so it means a little bit more than it would if it were a Bolivian league in Minnesota.

I don't disagree about the typical American but given that our nation supports, professional bass fishing in additional to the MLS, NBA, NHL, NFL MLB, etc. amd a robust amatuer league, i.e. NCAA, means the typical America has literally 20+ choices so it is not surprising that the typical America is not into soccer.

BTW, I play in several "suburban adult leaguess" and the quality is usually pretty stron (Expats, IFC/World Bank, Embassy staff) and I have yet to see a quality Bolivian. It could be that they are playing in the impressive Bolivian league.

You will have to excuse me if I just don't asign much credibility to Bolivia based o the performance of two Bolivians who played in a joke of a professional soccer league back when it was weaker. If they were that good, they would have played in the Premier, La Liga, Bundasliga or Serie A. At the very least they would been brand names in Argentina or Brazil.

The original reference to a Bolivian league had nothing to do with the relative strength of Bolivia. It was a reference to a Bolivian soccer league where some of the local Hispanic "kids" play.

Yes, there is a Bolivian league as well as some other Hispanic leagues in the area of mixed skill level from teenagers to older skilled and unskilled laborer types to yes, former professional players from Latin America. Some of the teams are pretty good and the soccer is good enough that some of our FIFA referees have come down to work an occasional game to acquaint themselves with some of the Hispanic style and gamesmanship. And yes, several of the players and teams in the local Hispanic leagues would certainly hold their own in WPL. Then again they probably wouldn't bother with it because the better players are playing for cash in the hispanic leagues.

As for the Bolivians who played for DC United, you will still see one of them on occasion playing for one of the local adult powerhouses Aegean Hawks, though I think it has been a few years since he last laced up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just to put this discussion about Bolivia to rest. Notice which Latin American countries are ranked in the top 5 and top 20 globally and which country is not. By definition, top 20 placement means strong. Under any measurement you use, Bolivia is not a serious soccer country. That is not meant to disrespect Bolivia but if you are going to say that "Bolivia" gives an adult league any credibility you need to get serious. http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/index.html

And yet, the typical Bolivian is going to be far more into soccer than the typical American.

You could say "Scottish adult league," and you know it's going to be intense even if Scotland's national team is nowhere near where it used to be. If you want to see a weak adult league, say "Suburban Dads' adult league." Maybe the U.S. national team is a bit better than Scotland's or Bolivia's (or maybe not), but unless Christian Pulisic shows up to play, that doesn't matter.

And in this area, the memories of seeing Etcheverry and Moreno tear up MLS (and CONCACAF) are strong, so it means a little bit more than it would if it were a Bolivian league in Minnesota.

I don't disagree about the typical American but given that our nation supports, professional bass fishing in additional to the MLS, NBA, NHL, NFL MLB, etc. amd a robust amatuer league, i.e. NCAA, means the typical America has literally 20+ choices so it is not surprising that the typical America is not into soccer.


yes quite a few former pro players from El Salvador Guatemala and other central american countries play in cash games . most come here work landscaping during the week and play in cash games on weekends each earning anywhere from $150 per game up to $750 for a very talented former big name player. lots of money is bet on these games between the team sponsors.

BTW, I play in several "suburban adult leaguess" and the quality is usually pretty stron (Expats, IFC/World Bank, Embassy staff) and I have yet to see a quality Bolivian. It could be that they are playing in the impressive Bolivian league.

You will have to excuse me if I just don't asign much credibility to Bolivia based o the performance of two Bolivians who played in a joke of a professional soccer league back when it was weaker. If they were that good, they would have played in the Premier, La Liga, Bundasliga or Serie A. At the very least they would been brand names in Argentina or Brazil.

The original reference to a Bolivian league had nothing to do with the relative strength of Bolivia. It was a reference to a Bolivian soccer league where some of the local Hispanic "kids" play.

Yes, there is a Bolivian league as well as some other Hispanic leagues in the area of mixed skill level from teenagers to older skilled and unskilled laborer types to yes, former professional players from Latin America. Some of the teams are pretty good and the soccer is good enough that some of our FIFA referees have come down to work an occasional game to acquaint themselves with some of the Hispanic style and gamesmanship. And yes, several of the players and teams in the local Hispanic leagues would certainly hold their own in WPL. Then again they probably wouldn't bother with it because the better players are playing for cash in the hispanic leagues.

As for the Bolivians who played for DC United, you will still see one of them on occasion playing for one of the local adult powerhouses Aegean Hawks, though I think it has been a few years since he last laced up.

[Anonymous]

yes quite a few former pro players from El Salvador Guatemala and other central american countries play in cash games . most come here work landscaping during the week and play in cash games on weekends each earning anywhere from $150 per game up to $750 for a very talented former big name player. lots of money is bet on these games between the team sponsors.

[Anonymous]

Outside of DA and ECNL, what are the best clubs in Northern VA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Outside of DA and ECNL, what are the best clubs in Northern VA?

your local club needs you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Outside of DA and ECNL, what are the best clubs in Northern VA?

Probably the top CCL clubs (i.e B teams of clubs that put their A team in ECNL or DA)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Outside of DA and ECNL, what are the best clubs in Northern VA?

Depends on what you consider to be "best". Best development? Best level of play? Best commute? Best cost? Best bang for the buck?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Outside of DA and ECNL, what are the best clubs in Northern VA?

Depends on what you consider to be "best". Best development? Best level of play? Best commute? Best cost? Best bang for the buck?

Best style of play and most competitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Outside of DA and ECNL, what are the best clubs in Northern VA?

Depends on what you consider to be "best". Best development? Best level of play? Best commute? Best cost? Best bang for the buck?

Best style of play and most competitive.

Alexandria.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Outside of DA and ECNL, what are the best clubs in Northern VA?

Depends on what you consider to be "best". Best development? Best level of play? Best commute? Best cost? Best bang for the buck?

Best development/training/coaching staff: FCB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Outside of DA and ECNL, what are the best clubs in Northern VA?

Depends on what you consider to be "best". Best development? Best level of play? Best commute? Best cost? Best bang for the buck?

Best style of play and most competitive.

Alexandria.

Alexandria are good but too much stale possession. They are almost dogmatic and it leads to them struggling to create penetration or play with verticality.