Field hockey clubs feedback

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

There are people on this thread claiming club rankings matter and they have 2 teams in the top 10. I only see them at big tournaments but they perform well when I have seen them.

Granted, they are not a WC, but also not a team most would scoff at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

Freedom is in the top 3 teams in the country and certainly faced the likes of a Gateway and better. I don't know why you're so hurt that other people on this board also know a thing or two about club field hockey. (Not the Freedom poster here, just wondering why you are so fired up about this.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter has played Jackals at different age groups over the last several years and they have never been competitive. I know a girl who left because they were not competitive and the coach yelled a lot.

Nova Extreme is another area club. Also not competitive from what I’ve seen.

Rampage has only u16 and u19 to my knowledge. Husel came out of/broke away from them a few years ago.

Rampage was the oldest hockey club and only hockey club in northern Va for many years. However, Husel is and always has been completely separate from rampage as the directors and owners are completely different people. Husel did probably take most of their athletes but Husel did not spin off from Rampage.

I’m excited for Jackals. They just got acquired by The st. James. I’m not sure if they have indoor field hockey yet but I’m sure they will soon. With access to st.james resources, they will be a powerhouse in a few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter has played Jackals at different age groups over the last several years and they have never been competitive. I know a girl who left because they were not competitive and the coach yelled a lot.

Nova Extreme is another area club. Also not competitive from what I’ve seen.

Rampage has only u16 and u19 to my knowledge. Husel came out of/broke away from them a few years ago.

Rampage was the oldest hockey club and only hockey club in northern Va for many years. However, Husel is and always has been completely separate from rampage as the directors and owners are completely different people. Husel did probably take most of their athletes but Husel did not spin off from Rampage.

I’m excited for Jackals. They just got acquired by The st. James. I’m not sure if they have indoor field hockey yet but I’m sure they will soon. With access to st.james resources, they will be a powerhouse in a few years.

I was told by an early Husel family that the coach was with Rampage as the recruiting coordinator and then left to start her own club taking players with her.

I think you are overly optimistic about the St James being successful in a few years. They are a conglomerate and making money is what matters. They don’t care if their teams are successful or not because there will always be a new stream of people willing to pay to join a club.

[Anonymous]

Rampage was on its way out anyways, I don’t blame her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

Freedom is in the top 3 teams in the country and certainly faced the likes of a Gateway and better. I don't know why you're so hurt that other people on this board also know a thing or two about club field hockey. (Not the Freedom poster here, just wondering why you are so fired up about this.)

How come nobody ever mentions TCOYO or the Saints - two great clubs in Virginia?! TCOYO’s U19 team just won Shooting Star Thanksgiving, destroying everybody in their pool including Freedom’s U19 red team. That same Freedom team won zero games and scored zero goals!!! Why is Freedom sending a U19 team to a big showcase when they can’t even score 1 goal? The other U19 team Freedom sent to Shooting Star Thanksgiving did better but still didn’t win their pool, losing to the Warhawks and tied the Saints.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

Freedom is in the top 3 teams in the country and certainly faced the likes of a Gateway and better. I don't know why you're so hurt that other people on this board also know a thing or two about club field hockey. (Not the Freedom poster here, just wondering why you are so fired up about this.)

How come nobody ever mentions TCOYO or the Saints - two great clubs in Virginia?! TCOYO’s U19 team just won Shooting Star Thanksgiving, destroying everybody in their pool including Freedom’s U19 red team. That same Freedom team won zero games and scored zero goals!!! Why is Freedom sending a U19 team to a big showcase when they can’t even score 1 goal? The other U19 team Freedom sent to Shooting Star Thanksgiving did better but still didn’t win their pool, losing to the Warhawks and tied the Saints.

This is a forum for the DC Metro area. Virginia Beach is not close enough for people to play for regularly, therefore those clubs aren’t included in the discussion. People drive from Northern Virginia to play for Freedom and Warhawks - I know people who do it. I don’t know anyone from this area who plays full-time for a Virginia Beach club.

Those Freedom teams may not have been their top teams due to it being a holiday weekend. Look at NCC or NIT if you want to judge a club.

[Anonymous]

Re: multiple qualifiers

My D played U16 and U19 one year. Same club. Different weekends, different qualifier sites. It was legit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

Freedom is in the top 3 teams in the country and certainly faced the likes of a Gateway and better. I don't know why you're so hurt that other people on this board also know a thing or two about club field hockey. (Not the Freedom poster here, just wondering why you are so fired up about this.)

How come nobody ever mentions TCOYO or the Saints - two great clubs in Virginia?! TCOYO’s U19 team just won Shooting Star Thanksgiving, destroying everybody in their pool including Freedom’s U19 red team. That same Freedom team won zero games and scored zero goals!!! Why is Freedom sending a U19 team to a big showcase when they can’t even score 1 goal? The other U19 team Freedom sent to Shooting Star Thanksgiving did better but still didn’t win their pool, losing to the Warhawks and tied the Saints.

This is a forum for the DC Metro area. Virginia Beach is not close enough for people to play for regularly, therefore those clubs aren’t included in the discussion. People drive from Northern Virginia to play for Freedom and Warhawks - I know people who do it. I don’t know anyone from this area who plays full-time for a Virginia Beach club.

Those Freedom teams may not have been their top teams due to it being a holiday weekend. Look at NCC or NIT if you want to judge a club.

Go back to previous posts. The original retort was to a Freedom poster bashing Gateway and claiming Freedom is ranked Top 3 in the country. Then accurate info was provided that Freedom failed at Shooting Star Thanksgiving. Freedom also didn’t attend Festival in Florida that same weekend so let’s assume they sent their 2 best U19 teams to Shooting Star because not representing your club at one of the biggest recruiting showcases of the year would be stupid. Now you are using NCC or NIT as excuses. Tsk tsk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

Freedom is in the top 3 teams in the country and certainly faced the likes of a Gateway and better. I don't know why you're so hurt that other people on this board also know a thing or two about club field hockey. (Not the Freedom poster here, just wondering why you are so fired up about this.)

How come nobody ever mentions TCOYO or the Saints - two great clubs in Virginia?! TCOYO’s U19 team just won Shooting Star Thanksgiving, destroying everybody in their pool including Freedom’s U19 red team. That same Freedom team won zero games and scored zero goals!!! Why is Freedom sending a U19 team to a big showcase when they can’t even score 1 goal? The other U19 team Freedom sent to Shooting Star Thanksgiving did better but still didn’t win their pool, losing to the Warhawks and tied the Saints.

This is a forum for the DC Metro area. Virginia Beach is not close enough for people to play for regularly, therefore those clubs aren’t included in the discussion. People drive from Northern Virginia to play for Freedom and Warhawks - I know people who do it. I don’t know anyone from this area who plays full-time for a Virginia Beach club.

Those Freedom teams may not have been their top teams due to it being a holiday weekend. Look at NCC or NIT if you want to judge a club.

Go back to previous posts. The original retort was to a Freedom poster bashing Gateway and claiming Freedom is ranked Top 3 in the country. Then accurate info was provided that Freedom failed at Shooting Star Thanksgiving. Freedom also didn’t attend Festival in Florida that same weekend so let’s assume they sent their 2 best U19 teams to Shooting Star because not representing your club at one of the biggest recruiting showcases of the year would be stupid. Now you are using NCC or NIT as excuses. Tsk tsk.

Wow, you have a bone to pick. Warhawks parent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

Freedom is in the top 3 teams in the country and certainly faced the likes of a Gateway and better. I don't know why you're so hurt that other people on this board also know a thing or two about club field hockey. (Not the Freedom poster here, just wondering why you are so fired up about this.)

How come nobody ever mentions TCOYO or the Saints - two great clubs in Virginia?! TCOYO’s U19 team just won Shooting Star Thanksgiving, destroying everybody in their pool including Freedom’s U19 red team. That same Freedom team won zero games and scored zero goals!!! Why is Freedom sending a U19 team to a big showcase when they can’t even score 1 goal? The other U19 team Freedom sent to Shooting Star Thanksgiving did better but still didn’t win their pool, losing to the Warhawks and tied the Saints.

This is a forum for the DC Metro area. Virginia Beach is not close enough for people to play for regularly, therefore those clubs aren’t included in the discussion. People drive from Northern Virginia to play for Freedom and Warhawks - I know people who do it. I don’t know anyone from this area who plays full-time for a Virginia Beach club.

Those Freedom teams may not have been their top teams due to it being a holiday weekend. Look at NCC or NIT if you want to judge a club.

Go back to previous posts. The original retort was to a Freedom poster bashing Gateway and claiming Freedom is ranked Top 3 in the country. Then accurate info was provided that Freedom failed at Shooting Star Thanksgiving. Freedom also didn’t attend Festival in Florida that same weekend so let’s assume they sent their 2 best U19 teams to Shooting Star because not representing your club at one of the biggest recruiting showcases of the year would be stupid. Now you are using NCC or NIT as excuses. Tsk tsk.

Wow, you have a bone to pick. Warhawks parent?

People, can we go back to bashing Next Level please.

[Anonymous]

I would have killed to be on any of these clubs in northern va. When I was in high school and playing fh, there was only one club in the area (now out of business) and my parents were not willing to go into DC or MD. I ended up at a great division three college program and was very successful there. Can’t help but think what my playing career would have been like if I had access to the resources that these clubs provide. I’m happy to hear about the rise of the sport and the ability to choose between clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Winning your pool absolutely matters! Not everybody can face Gateway or the WC Eagles. There are just too many teams at these big showcases!

Gateway?

NP. Yes, Gateway. Look them up.

Clearly not everyone on this thread has the same experience or knowledge.

Well, I'm a long-time field hockey parent (Freedom) and coach, with several current and former college players. It just surprised that when somebody thinks of the most competitive teams they would say Gateway. But I guess I just think of the ones that my kids' teams lost to, and Gateway doesn't come to mind. WC, AGH, Windy City, Texas Pride. Obviously, I know of Gateway. I think they're stronger at younger ages, which must be where you are right now.

Well said. I would not think of Gateway as a major competitor either, and I am a parent with a different club.

The field hockey powerhouses are WC, AGH, Windy City (less so now), TX Pride, CPFH, Freedom, Warhawks. None in this area.

Just because your DD didn’t have the privilege to play against Gateway (club out of Missouri for those not in the know) at the U19 level doesn’t mean they are not a top team. They have been a winning program for years with high level D1 commits. I personally have never seen so many college coaches line the field @ 8 am to watch them play even though basically their whole team was already committed. So to say they are stronger at the younger ages shows your ignorance and weak attempt to gaslight the competition because your DD plays for Freedom. Sorry, the best teams in the country are not from Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland. Club field hockey is still very good here and getting better but each team seems to have their ups and downs over the years. A good exampke is Rampage. Years ago they used to be awesome and now out of business.

Freedom is in the top 3 teams in the country and certainly faced the likes of a Gateway and better. I don't know why you're so hurt that other people on this board also know a thing or two about club field hockey. (Not the Freedom poster here, just wondering why you are so fired up about this.)

How come nobody ever mentions TCOYO or the Saints - two great clubs in Virginia?! TCOYO’s U19 team just won Shooting Star Thanksgiving, destroying everybody in their pool including Freedom’s U19 red team. That same Freedom team won zero games and scored zero goals!!! Why is Freedom sending a U19 team to a big showcase when they can’t even score 1 goal? The other U19 team Freedom sent to Shooting Star Thanksgiving did better but still didn’t win their pool, losing to the Warhawks and tied the Saints.

This is a forum for the DC Metro area. Virginia Beach is not close enough for people to play for regularly, therefore those clubs aren’t included in the discussion. People drive from Northern Virginia to play for Freedom and Warhawks - I know people who do it. I don’t know anyone from this area who plays full-time for a Virginia Beach club.

Those Freedom teams may not have been their top teams due to it being a holiday weekend. Look at NCC or NIT if you want to judge a club.

Go back to previous posts. The original retort was to a Freedom poster bashing Gateway and claiming Freedom is ranked Top 3 in the country. Then accurate info was provided that Freedom failed at Shooting Star Thanksgiving. Freedom also didn’t attend Festival in Florida that same weekend so let’s assume they sent their 2 best U19 teams to Shooting Star because not representing your club at one of the biggest recruiting showcases of the year would be stupid. Now you are using NCC or NIT as excuses. Tsk tsk.

PP you are responding to. I am not a Freedom parent so I have no reason to try to defend them. My point is clubs don’t necessarily send their top players to the showcases, because some have already been recruited and don’t need to go. I know plenty of players who choose not to go to the Thanksgiving tournaments because it is a holiday. Clubs will send their top players to NCC and NIT, which is why I was pointing to those to judge by.

Recruiting showcases are not about representing your club. They are about representing yourself. NCC/NIT are about representing your club.

Freedom definitely belongs in the top group of clubs, though I think we may see them stumble a bit in the next few years as a result of the merger with SPark.