Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There seems to be a lot of criticism here for Vienna. Are we criticizing lower-level younger age groups teams (below U14), or are we criticizing the older Travel A-teams? Or are we just criticizing the club administration?

It's not particularly coherent criticism. Some people criticize the Board over stuff that happened two years ago, before most of the current Board was serving in their current positions. Or it's the previous technical staff. Or the one before that.

One day: "They need to get rid of Rich Gunney! He's killing the club!"

Then after Gunney departs: "So much turnover! Why would anyone go to Vienna?"

Some of it is legitimate, specific criticism of particular aspects of the club -- the decision to hire Gunney, a couple of other hires around the same time that turned out poorly, maybe pulling the House league teams out of SFL, etc. Some of it is from a former technical staffer and/or a former board member trying to scorch the earth behind them.

The funny thing is that the specific VYS thread has now veered sharply away from talking about VYS.

Bottom line: VYS has some good people and some who are not so good. Gunney's departure has made it easier to keep the good people.

And like every other club in the area, the switch to birth-year age groups means teams will be shaken up, and some people will be very happy while others will be most unhappy.

There is also a perfectly fine thread for the Vienna drama. Please take your overindulgent club centric BS there please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

True. We often have kids guest play on upper teams--but nobody ever guest plays on a lower team .

Well, in many leagues, the league rules prevent A-team players from "playing down," however anyone can "Play up." It's rarely a decision by the club or the team coach and it prevents the lower teams from unfairly racking up huge wins over what would normally be a fairly-matched game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. I will suggest a 'sick out' with the other parents who all are bitching about the drive. Nobody wants to leave because the club is local and practices are 10 min away so they put up with this sh*t, but if 95% of the team calls out sick on VA Beach game day maybe they will start making change. Teamsters unite!

NO NO NO.
Parents do not get to dictate to the club or the league what decisions get made. If you don't want to drive and put in the time commitment, DO NOT JOIN THAT TEAM and take the spot away from another kid who IS WILLING to commit. THAT IS LETTING DOWN THE WHOLE TEAM and is a morale buster. You go where it is a good fit for you, you don't join a club then start bitching and moaning and wanting to change things to suit your priorities. If your priority isn't soccer, then soccer isn't for you. END OF STORY.

I wonder what would happen if no one was willing to play for the "A" team. I've seen a lot of good players either depart the club or ask to be on a "B" team so they won't have to travel. After a while, the "B" teams in NCSL can easily end up surpassing the "A" team in VPL!

Operative word being TRAVEL. If you don't want to TRAVEL, don't play TRAVEL SOCCER.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. I will suggest a 'sick out' with the other parents who all are bitching about the drive. Nobody wants to leave because the club is local and practices are 10 min away so they put up with this sh*t, but if 95% of the team calls out sick on VA Beach game day maybe they will start making change. Teamsters unite!

NO NO NO.
Parents do not get to dictate to the club or the league what decisions get made. If you don't want to drive and put in the time commitment, DO NOT JOIN THAT TEAM and take the spot away from another kid who IS WILLING to commit. THAT IS LETTING DOWN THE WHOLE TEAM and is a morale buster. You go where it is a good fit for you, you don't join a club then start bitching and moaning and wanting to change things to suit your priorities. If your priority isn't soccer, then soccer isn't for you. END OF STORY.

I wonder what would happen if no one was willing to play for the "A" team. I've seen a lot of good players either depart the club or ask to be on a "B" team so they won't have to travel. After a while, the "B" teams in NCSL can easily end up surpassing the "A" team in VPL!

Operative word being TRAVEL. If you don't want to TRAVEL, don't play TRAVEL SOCCER.

I'm not sure which I find more amusing, that they didn't look into the league the team plays in before joining the team, or that somehow their leaving for a NCSL team would suddenly make the NCSL team better somehow. They don't quite understand that the best kids on the NCSL team would simply move up and take their NPL spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. I will suggest a 'sick out' with the other parents who all are bitching about the drive. Nobody wants to leave because the club is local and practices are 10 min away so they put up with this sh*t, but if 95% of the team calls out sick on VA Beach game day maybe they will start making change. Teamsters unite!

NO NO NO.
Parents do not get to dictate to the club or the league what decisions get made. If you don't want to drive and put in the time commitment, DO NOT JOIN THAT TEAM and take the spot away from another kid who IS WILLING to commit. THAT IS LETTING DOWN THE WHOLE TEAM and is a morale buster. You go where it is a good fit for you, you don't join a club then start bitching and moaning and wanting to change things to suit your priorities. If your priority isn't soccer, then soccer isn't for you. END OF STORY.

I wonder what would happen if no one was willing to play for the "A" team. I've seen a lot of good players either depart the club or ask to be on a "B" team so they won't have to travel. After a while, the "B" teams in NCSL can easily end up surpassing the "A" team in VPL!

Operative word being TRAVEL. If you don't want to TRAVEL, don't play TRAVEL SOCCER.

Disagree. Read this. I think there is an argument to spending more time on the pitch and less time in the back of a minivan...

http://www.soccerwire.com/blog-posts/dure-travel-soccer-needs-more-soccer-less-travel/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. I will suggest a 'sick out' with the other parents who all are bitching about the drive. Nobody wants to leave because the club is local and practices are 10 min away so they put up with this sh*t, but if 95% of the team calls out sick on VA Beach game day maybe they will start making change. Teamsters unite!

NO NO NO.
Parents do not get to dictate to the club or the league what decisions get made. If you don't want to drive and put in the time commitment, DO NOT JOIN THAT TEAM and take the spot away from another kid who IS WILLING to commit. THAT IS LETTING DOWN THE WHOLE TEAM and is a morale buster. You go where it is a good fit for you, you don't join a club then start bitching and moaning and wanting to change things to suit your priorities. If your priority isn't soccer, then soccer isn't for you. END OF STORY.

I wonder what would happen if no one was willing to play for the "A" team. I've seen a lot of good players either depart the club or ask to be on a "B" team so they won't have to travel. After a while, the "B" teams in NCSL can easily end up surpassing the "A" team in VPL!

Operative word being TRAVEL. If you don't want to TRAVEL, don't play TRAVEL SOCCER.

Disagree. Read this. I think there is an argument to spending more time on the pitch and less time in the back of a minivan...

http://www.soccerwire.com/blog-posts/dure-travel-soccer-needs-more-soccer-less-travel/

Again, if you don't want to travel, then don't join a travel soccer team and bitch and moan about traveling. You have a choice. Just because travel soccer is wrong for you doesn't make it wrong for everyone. Some people like it. Some people like to expand their horizons and compete outside of their own microcosm. If you don't, then that's your prerogative and there is nothing wrong with that. But don't try to make it "wrong" or take it away from those for whom it is the right thing for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. I will suggest a 'sick out' with the other parents who all are bitching about the drive. Nobody wants to leave because the club is local and practices are 10 min away so they put up with this sh*t, but if 95% of the team calls out sick on VA Beach game day maybe they will start making change. Teamsters unite!

NO NO NO.
Parents do not get to dictate to the club or the league what decisions get made. If you don't want to drive and put in the time commitment, DO NOT JOIN THAT TEAM and take the spot away from another kid who IS WILLING to commit. THAT IS LETTING DOWN THE WHOLE TEAM and is a morale buster. You go where it is a good fit for you, you don't join a club then start bitching and moaning and wanting to change things to suit your priorities. If your priority isn't soccer, then soccer isn't for you. END OF STORY.

I wonder what would happen if no one was willing to play for the "A" team. I've seen a lot of good players either depart the club or ask to be on a "B" team so they won't have to travel. After a while, the "B" teams in NCSL can easily end up surpassing the "A" team in VPL!

Operative word being TRAVEL. If you don't want to TRAVEL, don't play TRAVEL SOCCER.

I'm not sure which I find more amusing, that they didn't look into the league the team plays in before joining the team, or that somehow their leaving for a NCSL team would suddenly make the NCSL team better somehow. They don't quite understand that the best kids on the NCSL team would simply move up and take their NPL spot.

You all may be shocked to hear this, but I've seen NPL teams substantially weakened by players departing for teams that travel less.

It DOES happen. There are plenty of parents who are not buying into this. (Just as there are some parents whose kids have the talent to play travel, but the family opts for rec league.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. I will suggest a 'sick out' with the other parents who all are bitching about the drive. Nobody wants to leave because the club is local and practices are 10 min away so they put up with this sh*t, but if 95% of the team calls out sick on VA Beach game day maybe they will start making change. Teamsters unite!

NO NO NO.
Parents do not get to dictate to the club or the league what decisions get made. If you don't want to drive and put in the time commitment, DO NOT JOIN THAT TEAM and take the spot away from another kid who IS WILLING to commit. THAT IS LETTING DOWN THE WHOLE TEAM and is a morale buster. You go where it is a good fit for you, you don't join a club then start bitching and moaning and wanting to change things to suit your priorities. If your priority isn't soccer, then soccer isn't for you. END OF STORY.

I wonder what would happen if no one was willing to play for the "A" team. I've seen a lot of good players either depart the club or ask to be on a "B" team so they won't have to travel. After a while, the "B" teams in NCSL can easily end up surpassing the "A" team in VPL!

Operative word being TRAVEL. If you don't want to TRAVEL, don't play TRAVEL SOCCER.

Disagree. Read this. I think there is an argument to spending more time on the pitch and less time in the back of a minivan...

http://www.soccerwire.com/blog-posts/dure-travel-soccer-needs-more-soccer-less-travel/

That has nothing whatsoever to do with your complaint or the point. The league that your kids team plays in travels to VA Beach. You knew this before you signed on. And, at this point in the season suck it up or don't go, you likely won't be missed. And my recommendation to you is to join a different team that plays in a league that better suits your lifestyle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. I will suggest a 'sick out' with the other parents who all are bitching about the drive. Nobody wants to leave because the club is local and practices are 10 min away so they put up with this sh*t, but if 95% of the team calls out sick on VA Beach game day maybe they will start making change. Teamsters unite!

NO NO NO.
Parents do not get to dictate to the club or the league what decisions get made. If you don't want to drive and put in the time commitment, DO NOT JOIN THAT TEAM and take the spot away from another kid who IS WILLING to commit. THAT IS LETTING DOWN THE WHOLE TEAM and is a morale buster. You go where it is a good fit for you, you don't join a club then start bitching and moaning and wanting to change things to suit your priorities. If your priority isn't soccer, then soccer isn't for you. END OF STORY.

I wonder what would happen if no one was willing to play for the "A" team. I've seen a lot of good players either depart the club or ask to be on a "B" team so they won't have to travel. After a while, the "B" teams in NCSL can easily end up surpassing the "A" team in VPL!

Operative word being TRAVEL. If you don't want to TRAVEL, don't play TRAVEL SOCCER.

I'm not sure which I find more amusing, that they didn't look into the league the team plays in before joining the team, or that somehow their leaving for a NCSL team would suddenly make the NCSL team better somehow. They don't quite understand that the best kids on the NCSL team would simply move up and take their NPL spot.

You all may be shocked to hear this, but I've seen NPL teams substantially weakened by players departing for teams that travel less.

It DOES happen. There are plenty of parents who are not buying into this. (Just as there are some parents whose kids have the talent to play travel, but the family opts for rec league.)

And yet the team still didn't collapse. Just join another team where you will be happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. I will suggest a 'sick out' with the other parents who all are bitching about the drive. Nobody wants to leave because the club is local and practices are 10 min away so they put up with this sh*t, but if 95% of the team calls out sick on VA Beach game day maybe they will start making change. Teamsters unite!

NO NO NO.
Parents do not get to dictate to the club or the league what decisions get made. If you don't want to drive and put in the time commitment, DO NOT JOIN THAT TEAM and take the spot away from another kid who IS WILLING to commit. THAT IS LETTING DOWN THE WHOLE TEAM and is a morale buster. You go where it is a good fit for you, you don't join a club then start bitching and moaning and wanting to change things to suit your priorities. If your priority isn't soccer, then soccer isn't for you. END OF STORY.

I wonder what would happen if no one was willing to play for the "A" team. I've seen a lot of good players either depart the club or ask to be on a "B" team so they won't have to travel. After a while, the "B" teams in NCSL can easily end up surpassing the "A" team in VPL!

Operative word being TRAVEL. If you don't want to TRAVEL, don't play TRAVEL SOCCER.

TRAVEL is not the goal. People are saying why TRAVEL across the state when there are similar or stronger opponents in your own county. I do agree that once you join the team you commit fully - for practice, for matches etc.. There are channels to lobby for change and ultimately I think there will be change. We like the team, we like the coach, and are willing to drive a few extra hours some weekends even if that part does not make much sense to us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. I will suggest a 'sick out' with the other parents who all are bitching about the drive. Nobody wants to leave because the club is local and practices are 10 min away so they put up with this sh*t, but if 95% of the team calls out sick on VA Beach game day maybe they will start making change. Teamsters unite!

NO NO NO.
Parents do not get to dictate to the club or the league what decisions get made. If you don't want to drive and put in the time commitment, DO NOT JOIN THAT TEAM and take the spot away from another kid who IS WILLING to commit. THAT IS LETTING DOWN THE WHOLE TEAM and is a morale buster. You go where it is a good fit for you, you don't join a club then start bitching and moaning and wanting to change things to suit your priorities. If your priority isn't soccer, then soccer isn't for you. END OF STORY.

I wonder what would happen if no one was willing to play for the "A" team. I've seen a lot of good players either depart the club or ask to be on a "B" team so they won't have to travel. After a while, the "B" teams in NCSL can easily end up surpassing the "A" team in VPL!

Operative word being TRAVEL. If you don't want to TRAVEL, don't play TRAVEL SOCCER.

TRAVEL is not the goal. People are saying why TRAVEL across the state when there are similar or stronger opponents in your own county. I do agree that once you join the team you commit fully - for practice, for matches etc.. There are channels to lobby for change and ultimately I think there will be change. We like the team, we like the coach, and are willing to drive a few extra hours some weekends even if that part does not make much sense to us.

Well, tough shit, nobody cares about starting a revolution to make your life more convenient. If the travel bothered me as much gee, what would I do?? Hmmm, Oh I know, I would have my kid join a team in NCSL, WAGS or rec!!

You clearly recognize that the competition has some edge, even if only slight, otherwise you would simply play in NCSL. Go and lobby all YOU want but you're not going to find much support here in what you think is your congregation. Your sideline must be full of entitled morons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. I will suggest a 'sick out' with the other parents who all are bitching about the drive. Nobody wants to leave because the club is local and practices are 10 min away so they put up with this sh*t, but if 95% of the team calls out sick on VA Beach game day maybe they will start making change. Teamsters unite!

NO NO NO.
Parents do not get to dictate to the club or the league what decisions get made. If you don't want to drive and put in the time commitment, DO NOT JOIN THAT TEAM and take the spot away from another kid who IS WILLING to commit. THAT IS LETTING DOWN THE WHOLE TEAM and is a morale buster. You go where it is a good fit for you, you don't join a club then start bitching and moaning and wanting to change things to suit your priorities. If your priority isn't soccer, then soccer isn't for you. END OF STORY.

I wonder what would happen if no one was willing to play for the "A" team. I've seen a lot of good players either depart the club or ask to be on a "B" team so they won't have to travel. After a while, the "B" teams in NCSL can easily end up surpassing the "A" team in VPL!

Operative word being TRAVEL. If you don't want to TRAVEL, don't play TRAVEL SOCCER.

TRAVEL is not the goal. People are saying why TRAVEL across the state when there are similar or stronger opponents in your own county. I do agree that once you join the team you commit fully - for practice, for matches etc.. There are channels to lobby for change and ultimately I think there will be change. We like the team, we like the coach, and are willing to drive a few extra hours some weekends even if that part does not make much sense to us.

Well, tough shit, nobody cares about starting a revolution to make your life more convenient. If the travel bothered me as much gee, what would I do?? Hmmm, Oh I know, I would have my kid join a team in NCSL, WAGS or rec!!

You clearly recognize that the competition has some edge, even if only slight, otherwise you would simply play in NCSL. Go and lobby all YOU want but you're not going to find much support here in what you think is your congregation. Your sideline must be full of entitled morons.

I don't understand why people are so resistant to DISCUSSING travel.

Don't parents have a right to ask whether traveling four hours each way for a league game is really productive?

Soccer is losing participants, and it's having a really tough time keeping the doors open for people who don't have unlimited time and money. Wouldn't SOCCER be better off if fewer resources went to the interstates and more went to the fields?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. I will suggest a 'sick out' with the other parents who all are bitching about the drive. Nobody wants to leave because the club is local and practices are 10 min away so they put up with this sh*t, but if 95% of the team calls out sick on VA Beach game day maybe they will start making change. Teamsters unite!

NO NO NO.
Parents do not get to dictate to the club or the league what decisions get made. If you don't want to drive and put in the time commitment, DO NOT JOIN THAT TEAM and take the spot away from another kid who IS WILLING to commit. THAT IS LETTING DOWN THE WHOLE TEAM and is a morale buster. You go where it is a good fit for you, you don't join a club then start bitching and moaning and wanting to change things to suit your priorities. If your priority isn't soccer, then soccer isn't for you. END OF STORY.

I wonder what would happen if no one was willing to play for the "A" team. I've seen a lot of good players either depart the club or ask to be on a "B" team so they won't have to travel. After a while, the "B" teams in NCSL can easily end up surpassing the "A" team in VPL!

Operative word being TRAVEL. If you don't want to TRAVEL, don't play TRAVEL SOCCER.

TRAVEL is not the goal. People are saying why TRAVEL across the state when there are similar or stronger opponents in your own county. I do agree that once you join the team you commit fully - for practice, for matches etc.. There are channels to lobby for change and ultimately I think there will be change. We like the team, we like the coach, and are willing to drive a few extra hours some weekends even if that part does not make much sense to us.

Well, tough shit, nobody cares about starting a revolution to make your life more convenient. If the travel bothered me as much gee, what would I do?? Hmmm, Oh I know, I would have my kid join a team in NCSL, WAGS or rec!!

You clearly recognize that the competition has some edge, even if only slight, otherwise you would simply play in NCSL. Go and lobby all YOU want but you're not going to find much support here in what you think is your congregation. Your sideline must be full of entitled morons.

I don't understand why people are so resistant to DISCUSSING travel.

Don't parents have a right to ask whether traveling four hours each way for a league game is really productive?

Soccer is losing participants, and it's having a really tough time keeping the doors open for people who don't have unlimited time and money. Wouldn't SOCCER be better off if fewer resources went to the interstates and more went to the fields?

Because there are options that can satisfy your needs, that is why. Feel free to exercise any of them. Clearly you are seeking some form of status from the league that your kid plays in. Why is NCSL such a distasteful option for you? It meets your needs, and it is competitive. Exactly what is it that you expect us to do for you? It is tryout season, look for other clubs that participate in NCSL and tryout for those team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. I will suggest a 'sick out' with the other parents who all are bitching about the drive. Nobody wants to leave because the club is local and practices are 10 min away so they put up with this sh*t, but if 95% of the team calls out sick on VA Beach game day maybe they will start making change. Teamsters unite!

NO NO NO.
Parents do not get to dictate to the club or the league what decisions get made. If you don't want to drive and put in the time commitment, DO NOT JOIN THAT TEAM and take the spot away from another kid who IS WILLING to commit. THAT IS LETTING DOWN THE WHOLE TEAM and is a morale buster. You go where it is a good fit for you, you don't join a club then start bitching and moaning and wanting to change things to suit your priorities. If your priority isn't soccer, then soccer isn't for you. END OF STORY.

I wonder what would happen if no one was willing to play for the "A" team. I've seen a lot of good players either depart the club or ask to be on a "B" team so they won't have to travel. After a while, the "B" teams in NCSL can easily end up surpassing the "A" team in VPL!

Operative word being TRAVEL. If you don't want to TRAVEL, don't play TRAVEL SOCCER.

I'm not sure which I find more amusing, that they didn't look into the league the team plays in before joining the team, or that somehow their leaving for a NCSL team would suddenly make the NCSL team better somehow. They don't quite understand that the best kids on the NCSL team would simply move up and take their NPL spot.

You all may be shocked to hear this, but I've seen NPL teams substantially weakened by players departing for teams that travel less.

It DOES happen. There are plenty of parents who are not buying into this. (Just as there are some parents whose kids have the talent to play travel, but the family opts for rec league.)

And yet the team still didn't collapse. Just join another team where you will be happy.

No, but it went 0-8, mostly losing blowouts.

[Anonymous]

I don't understand why people are so resistant to DISCUSSING travel.

Simply put, there is nothing to "DISCUSS" about the traveling part of TRAVEL SOCCER. By it's very name and purpose, one must TRAVEL. I cannot fathom why this is a concept lost on you. IF you don't want to travel, THEN DON'T - your option is to participate with a team/club/league that doesn't travel. Stop thinking you can change the landscape and mission of COMPETITIVE TRAVEL SOCCER because your lazy ass isn't into traveling. People like you is what craps on the travel experience for people who ARE a part of the landscape and culture of TRAVEL SOCCER because people like you is what holds back the teams and players who WANT to travel and can't because so-and-so's parents are too lazy to travel somewhere over 30-minutes, so the away game has to be forfeited, or rescheduled to a closer venue, or another lower level tournament has to be picked because some lazy parent doesn't want to COMMIT TO THE TRAVEL and has to pitch a fit about it, therefore RUINING IT for the whole rest of the team.
[u][/b]

Don't parents have a right to ask whether traveling four hours each way for a league game is really productive?

NO. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

Soccer is losing participants, and it's having a really tough time keeping the doors open for people who don't have unlimited time and money. Wouldn't SOCCER be better off if fewer resources went to the interstates and more went to the fields?

NO. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. If your kid needs a ride, THEN ASK, if you need financial aid, THEN ASK. If you don't want to travel to compete at a higher level, then play HOUSE/REC if you're such a home-body. Honestly, you CLEARLY don't understand what travel soccer is all about.