Bethesda Soccer On Way Down

[Anonymous]

The 2014s lost four players for this season. Three of whom are excellent. Two went to SYC, one went to Achilles. I don’t know if they left because they were disappointed that Simone wasn’t going to be their coach. But, to your point, two went to SYC - known for winning, not development. That tells me they were leaving regardless of who was coaching the team this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The 2014s lost four players for this season. Three of whom are excellent. Two went to SYC, one went to Achilles. I don’t know if they left because they were disappointed that Simone wasn’t going to be their coach. But, to your point, two went to SYC - known for winning, not development. That tells me they were leaving regardless of who was coaching the team this year.

1) How many 2013’s left? Where did they go? Give the whole story, not half.

2) You did not account for all of the 2014’s in BSC that left.

3) From the three you mentioned: One of those 2014’s with SYC still trains with SM and is with SYC for a specific reason that has nothing to do with winning. They also still have a child at BSC so that should tell you something. One of the 2014’s with SYC only came to BSC because of SM. They actually live in VA and the commute to BSC is not worth it without SM. I would be stunned if either was with SYC next year so your assumption is just a little inaccurate. The Achilles kid left because of disapproval of CM.

All three families mentioned focus on coach>club and know more about developing their players than the average BSC parent or soccer parent in general.

As I stated, BSC has a problem on their hands. Do they just want to have fun or are they about development? I know a few people aren’t having fun because they are not developing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The 2014s lost four players for this season. Three of whom are excellent. Two went to SYC, one went to Achilles. I don’t know if they left because they were disappointed that Simone wasn’t going to be their coach. But, to your point, two went to SYC - known for winning, not development. That tells me they were leaving regardless of who was coaching the team this year.

1) How many 2013’s left? Where did they go? Give the whole story, not half.

2) You did not account for all of the 2014’s in BSC that left.

3) From the three you mentioned: One of those 2014’s with SYC still trains with SM and is with SYC for a specific reason that has nothing to do with winning. They also still have a child at BSC so that should tell you something. One of the 2014’s with SYC only came to BSC because of SM. They actually live in VA and the commute to BSC is not worth it without SM. I would be stunned if either was with SYC next year so your assumption is just a little inaccurate. The Achilles kid left because of disapproval of CM.

All three families mentioned focus on coach>club and know more about developing their players than the average BSC parent or soccer parent in general.

As I stated, BSC has a problem on their hands. Do they just want to have fun or are they about development? I know a few people aren’t having fun because they are not developing.

This is an issue for the 2015 team as well

[Anonymous]

As someone who came up through Euro academy and D1, for long-term development, you need your kid to associate the game with fun, relationships, accomplishment, and pride of overcoming adversity. If not, the internal fire dies out. Fun is part of development. And don’t give your coach so much credit for your kid’s development. What’s missing? Physical? Plyo and gym. Tactical? Review game footage and watch more pro games/guys in their position. Technical? Get a ball and find a wall to kick against. Take ownership. I realize a good coach is important and a bad coach sucks. But there’s an opportunity for growth here also.

[Anonymous]

All this talk about choosing/following specific coaches for development shows that those families in question DO NOT know more than any average youth soccer family. Do not rely on clubs and club coaches to develop your player...this is very naive. The only place real development happens in this country is at most MLS Academies (not you DCU) because they can provide a more holistic program or one-off programs that really care (good luck). Otherwise, development happens by taking ownership of your own development and love for the game. Create a plan for your kids. Empty out your garage. Find them the nearest brick wall. This isn't hard people...stop splashing money and thinking this will be fixed by a coach.

Our kid is a top player being courted by top teams...don't care if you don't believe me. We choose teams based on what opportunities they can offer in exposure and scouting. I'm paying you...what can you do for me? My kid learned to play outside of club soccer. Do what is convenient and provides the best opportunities.

[Anonymous]

You both are not wrong. You are right in your statements but you are shifting the discussion. You really think those families aren't doing those basics? Most of them play un-coached 3v3, 4v4 with their free time and have a lot of fun actually playing. The families work from IDP's. Come down a little bit from the high horses. The families are running the show but coaching is important, ESPECIALLY for families without your esteemed credentials who don't know as much about developing their child and relying on the club to instruct them. Let's be candid. While I know what to do now, it was SM who taught us the technical elements and PG who taught us the physical elements to maximize my child's abilities. That was tremendous value that BSC once provided.

I am open to learning who else at BSC is doing that but this chat has been completely silent about that. If I extend your logic, BSC is really no longer elite coaching. It is just a collection of top players from knowledgable families. BSC = AAU Allstars? Is the current value proposition the badge and the facility?

[Anonymous]

--->>> As someone who came up through Euro academy and D1, for long-term development, you need your kid to associate the game with fun<<<----
This is so true. FUN is the key.

SM we had him for our son and literately this guy should not be coaching children. Kids were scared to make mistakes and he ran the games and training like kids were robots, running for 2+ hours (injuries anyone?) These are 9-11 year old kids. Come on, they are not pro players. His strategy was to scare kids. At that age it should be about FUN. Many kids lost interest in soccer because of him and other left BSC because of him. BSC may not be perfect but I think they are on to something now by getting rid of these coaches. Time to clean house and make BSC better. This style of coaching is not good for development. I think BSC is realizing this now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The 2014s lost four players for this season. Three of whom are excellent. Two went to SYC, one went to Achilles. I don’t know if they left because they were disappointed that Simone wasn’t going to be their coach. But, to your point, two went to SYC - known for winning, not development. That tells me they were leaving regardless of who was coaching the team this year.

1) How many 2013’s left? Where did they go? Give the whole story, not half.

2) You did not account for all of the 2014’s in BSC that left.

3) From the three you mentioned: One of those 2014’s with SYC still trains with SM and is with SYC for a specific reason that has nothing to do with winning. They also still have a child at BSC so that should tell you something. One of the 2014’s with SYC only came to BSC because of SM. They actually live in VA and the commute to BSC is not worth it without SM. I would be stunned if either was with SYC next year so your assumption is just a little inaccurate. The Achilles kid left because of disapproval of CM.

All three families mentioned focus on coach>club and know more about developing their players than the average BSC parent or soccer parent in general.

As I stated, BSC has a problem on their hands. Do they just want to have fun or are they about development? I know a few people aren’t having fun because they are not developing.

This is an issue for the 2015 team as well

I believe the 2013s lost 5-6 kids? SM was never going to be their coach, I think he'd already had them for two years. I don't know why so many left or where they went. The 2015s had a lot of turnover this season, about half the team is new, but it's now incredibly strong and playing very well. No one left that team because SM was dropped over the summer.

[Anonymous]

Not familiar with older group coaches but I think TM (older) is doing a great job with the little guys. The top teams in that cohort (U9) is technically very good. Competing with U-12 girls in futsal (often getting bodied off the ball and losing, but still able to move the ball around) and recently played futsal against SAC/Armour Pre MLS Next and dominated. Boys are happy, look forward to practices, and enjoying the game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not familiar with older group coaches but I think TM (older) is doing a great job with the little guys. The top teams in that cohort (U9) is technically very good. Competing with U-12 girls in futsal (often getting bodied off the ball and losing, but still able to move the ball around) and recently played futsal against SAC/Armour Pre MLS Next and dominated. Boys are happy, look forward to practices, and enjoying the game.

I think the older TM is actually the best coach in the Youth/Little division.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not familiar with older group coaches but I think TM (older) is doing a great job with the little guys. The top teams in that cohort (U9) is technically very good. Competing with U-12 girls in futsal (often getting bodied off the ball and losing, but still able to move the ball around) and recently played futsal against SAC/Armour Pre MLS Next and dominated. Boys are happy, look forward to practices, and enjoying the game.

I think the older TM is actually the best coach in the Youth/Little division.

Agreed

[Anonymous]

The 5 to 6 2013s who left went to Loudon United's new MLSNext team, Northern Virginia Alliance (NVA). All but one lived in Virginia and most of them play futsal together in the winter for District Dynamo. As for those that remained with the BSC 2013s, the team is still solid but definitely weaker than before, and some who stayed absolutely would have left if SM was still the coach. He is a polarizing figures - those who love/those who hate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The 5 to 6 2013s who left went to Loudon United's new MLSNext team, Northern Virginia Alliance (NVA). All but one lived in Virginia and most of them play futsal together in the winter for District Dynamo. As for those that remained with the BSC 2013s, the team is still solid but definitely weaker than before, and some who stayed absolutely would have left if SM was still the coach. He is a polarizing figures - those who love/those who hate.

Thanks for sharing that piece of the puzzle.

Are there large numbers of kids driving to BSC from VA for PD, CM, EW or TM squared like they did for SM?

[Anonymous]

So, NVA is affiliated with Loudon United which is the reserve team for DC United. I could see why that would appeal to kids especially if they live in Virginia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, NVA is affiliated with Loudon United which is the reserve team for DC United. I could see why that would appeal to kids especially if they live in Virginia.

They were there specifically for SM. No kid knowledgeable enough to choose to train for SM would choose to align a path with DCU.

Be confident in the BSC plan since it is going in a different direction. The club’s direction is obvious now. I hope it works out for all involved. Only time will tell.