I never post, but I appreciate you asking for positive experiences. I have three kids who have been at various NOVA clubs, and found that travel soccer happiness is rare. Here's my secrets (in order of importance): 1) Play time >75% 2) A coach who is a human you want in your kid's life 3) Coach employs a solid system, focuses on skill development, and discourages kickball 4) Good teammates and friendly/fun parents 5) Path for advancement within the club 6) Team plays in a competitive league in which they win a few more than they lose That's my two cents. See you on the pitch! |
| Very happy with the Phoenix program at Vienna. |
We moved to Arlington this year and couldn't be more impressed compared to previous club. So much more organized with far greater coach commitment. |
What age group are you talking about, because that is not what I hear? |
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Yes! 11-year veteran with two kids, and multiple clubs.
Love all the coaches, the program, the care for the kids, the college recruiting attention, etc. Great, knowledgeable coaches. Your level of play does determine playing time and upward trajectory. Merit-based. When my kid is sucking, he's benched. But, when he's been showing up and training very hard and demonstrating results--he plays the entire game and gets time with first team. |
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In another state, moved this fall to top team in our area because it is u13 now.
Love the coach and the academy, they have access to such nice facilities and tools. Coach does a great job of being human, understanding and encouraging while holding the kids accountable. Now I will say my daughter does not enjoy the team as much as the more local one with her friends. Not the most welcoming group of girls which I guess is normal in ECNL/GA/MLS when someone new comes in and takes starting role playing time etc. |
| This will probably surprise some people here but we have been with McLean for a few years and have no complaints- the coaches have been great, the club is organized (at least to this parent) and my child is happy. |
| We were wildly unhappy with our experience at a DC travel club. We moved to rec (SOTH) and love it so much more. No complaints at all. |
| We are happy with our stand in coach when the actual coach isn't there. We are in a second team and the top team coach will stand in for practice and for games (3 this season alone) and they are amazing. There are good coaches out there but they don't seem to be the norm. Most of our team's families hate our coach and hope he gets fired between seasons after seeing what a good coach looks like. |
| Very happy with Juventus |
Just wait. We were happy the first three years but the last two have been a shit show. |
Okay Vienna parent. No one believes you. |
Clearly McLean is behind other clubs in its soccer program. Lacks of development of the 10s and 8s. Time for a change! |
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Loudoun here - dd has been with the club for 5 years (top team) and never had a bad coach.
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To be honest, I don’t know. Coach seems to value playing time of all players, which is very good.
However, he does seem to play with politics as well. Some of our players will play at the worst opportunity or just at awkward times when they were needed much earlier. Wanna clarify as well, my dd gets good time. Just unsure about why coach plays the team the way coach does. The results tell the story better than I can. |