Bethesda Soccer On Way Down

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Getting blown out game after game doesn't do anything for development. Obviously they couldn't compete at that level which means they couldn't do anything on the field to get better. They should have just played in a lower EDP division.

The decision to play up a division ultimately took a devastating emotional toll on the players, overshadowing BM’s well-meaning intentions to accelerate their growth. While the team started the season with strong morale and fought hard in early, competitive losses, the relentless pressure of facing elite opponents systematically broke their spirit. Several heavy defeats stripped the players of their natural swagger and honestly it was hard to watch. They just had another scrimmage vs the 2015 top team again and their remaining confidence completely collapsed into capitulation as the goals mounted. Though BM’s experiment came from a place of deep care, it resulted in a painful lesson. Their spark has been extinguished. With Super Copa on the horizon, I pray they can reignite it and turn it around with a great showing. Next year I hope they will return to their actual age group. I believe this is a vital step to heal their morale, rebuild their broken confidence, and get their swag back.

I'm the op. I would also like to add that I am not saying these girls aren't talented. It's just hard to play against bigger/faster kids who have been playing 9v9 already. There's only so much you can do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Getting blown out game after game doesn't do anything for development. Obviously they couldn't compete at that level which means they couldn't do anything on the field to get better. They should have just played in a lower EDP division.

The decision to play up a division ultimately took a devastating emotional toll on the players, overshadowing BM’s well-meaning intentions to accelerate their growth. While the team started the season with strong morale and fought hard in early, competitive losses, the relentless pressure of facing elite opponents systematically broke their spirit. Several heavy defeats stripped the players of their natural swagger and honestly it was hard to watch. They just had another scrimmage vs the 2015 top team again and their remaining confidence completely collapsed into capitulation as the goals mounted. Though BM’s experiment came from a place of deep care, it resulted in a painful lesson. Their spark has been extinguished. With Super Copa on the horizon, I pray they can reignite it and turn it around with a great showing. Next year I hope they will return to their actual age group. I believe this is a vital step to heal their morale, rebuild their broken confidence, and get their swag back.

I'm the op. I would also like to add that I am not saying these girls aren't talented. It's just hard to play against bigger/faster kids who have been playing 9v9 already. There's only so much you can do.

Honestly that’s a cop out. There’s always something to improve upon on the field. There will always be bigger and faster players. You don’t get better by dominating and winning all your games. My dd’s team would scrimmage the boys teams pretty consistently. They would initially lose but eventually they improved and the games ended quite competitive. It’s only going to get tougher and harder at the top level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Getting blown out game after game doesn't do anything for development. Obviously they couldn't compete at that level which means they couldn't do anything on the field to get better. They should have just played in a lower EDP division.

The decision to play up a division ultimately took a devastating emotional toll on the players, overshadowing BM’s well-meaning intentions to accelerate their growth. While the team started the season with strong morale and fought hard in early, competitive losses, the relentless pressure of facing elite opponents systematically broke their spirit. Several heavy defeats stripped the players of their natural swagger and honestly it was hard to watch. They just had another scrimmage vs the 2015 top team again and their remaining confidence completely collapsed into capitulation as the goals mounted. Though BM’s experiment came from a place of deep care, it resulted in a painful lesson. Their spark has been extinguished. With Super Copa on the horizon, I pray they can reignite it and turn it around with a great showing. Next year I hope they will return to their actual age group. I believe this is a vital step to heal their morale, rebuild their broken confidence, and get their swag back.

I'm the op. I would also like to add that I am not saying these girls aren't talented. It's just hard to play against bigger/faster kids who have been playing 9v9 already. There's only so much you can do.

Honestly that’s a cop out. There’s always something to improve upon on the field. There will always be bigger and faster players. You don’t get better by dominating and winning all your games. My dd’s team would scrimmage the boys teams pretty consistently. They would initially lose but eventually they improved and the games ended quite competitive. It’s only going to get tougher and harder at the top level.

So getting blown out every game helps develop players?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Getting blown out game after game doesn't do anything for development. Obviously they couldn't compete at that level which means they couldn't do anything on the field to get better. They should have just played in a lower EDP division.

The decision to play up a division ultimately took a devastating emotional toll on the players, overshadowing BM’s well-meaning intentions to accelerate their growth. While the team started the season with strong morale and fought hard in early, competitive losses, the relentless pressure of facing elite opponents systematically broke their spirit. Several heavy defeats stripped the players of their natural swagger and honestly it was hard to watch. They just had another scrimmage vs the 2015 top team again and their remaining confidence completely collapsed into capitulation as the goals mounted. Though BM’s experiment came from a place of deep care, it resulted in a painful lesson. Their spark has been extinguished. With Super Copa on the horizon, I pray they can reignite it and turn it around with a great showing. Next year I hope they will return to their actual age group. I believe this is a vital step to heal their morale, rebuild their broken confidence, and get their swag back.

I'm the op. I would also like to add that I am not saying these girls aren't talented. It's just hard to play against bigger/faster kids who have been playing 9v9 already. There's only so much you can do.

Clearly I am an outlier. Not once did my kid come home crying after these losses. Disappointed - yes; but by no means devastated. In her mind, they are the underdogs in every game that they played up in the top bracket, so there was no expectation to win, but at least keep it competitive. And they did keep it competitive in a few of the early games (2-1; 2-1; 1-1) Not every game was a blow out! After the losses during the EDP league games, they had a good showing at the SAC tournament (Memorial Day weekend), beating a team that they lost to during the season, and then losing in the finals on penalties (to another team that they lost to convincingly during the season). To me, that showed some growth (silver lining!!!!!)

Do I agree with them playing in the top bracket a year up - NO! (IMO, they should have played a division down, at least)
Do I agree with some of his game decisions - NO!
Were they competitive in all games - NO!
Did they get game experience playing against faster/more competitive teams-YES!
Is there less of a spark in the girls - YES!
Was it productive? - Depends! (Some may say yes, some may say no)

I truly feel for the girls that have suffered during this experience (clearly I was not paying attention).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Getting blown out game after game doesn't do anything for development. Obviously they couldn't compete at that level which means they couldn't do anything on the field to get better. They should have just played in a lower EDP division.

The decision to play up a division ultimately took a devastating emotional toll on the players, overshadowing BM’s well-meaning intentions to accelerate their growth. While the team started the season with strong morale and fought hard in early, competitive losses, the relentless pressure of facing elite opponents systematically broke their spirit. Several heavy defeats stripped the players of their natural swagger and honestly it was hard to watch. They just had another scrimmage vs the 2015 top team again and their remaining confidence completely collapsed into capitulation as the goals mounted. Though BM’s experiment came from a place of deep care, it resulted in a painful lesson. Their spark has been extinguished. With Super Copa on the horizon, I pray they can reignite it and turn it around with a great showing. Next year I hope they will return to their actual age group. I believe this is a vital step to heal their morale, rebuild their broken confidence, and get their swag back.

I'm the op. I would also like to add that I am not saying these girls aren't talented. It's just hard to play against bigger/faster kids who have been playing 9v9 already. There's only so much you can do.

Honestly that’s a cop out. There’s always something to improve upon on the field. There will always be bigger and faster players. You don’t get better by dominating and winning all your games. My dd’s team would scrimmage the boys teams pretty consistently. They would initially lose but eventually they improved and the games ended quite competitive. It’s only going to get tougher and harder at the top level.

So getting blown out every game helps develop players?

Do you consider 2-1; 2-1; 3-1 losses a blow out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Getting blown out game after game doesn't do anything for development. Obviously they couldn't compete at that level which means they couldn't do anything on the field to get better. They should have just played in a lower EDP division.

The decision to play up a division ultimately took a devastating emotional toll on the players, overshadowing BM’s well-meaning intentions to accelerate their growth. While the team started the season with strong morale and fought hard in early, competitive losses, the relentless pressure of facing elite opponents systematically broke their spirit. Several heavy defeats stripped the players of their natural swagger and honestly it was hard to watch. They just had another scrimmage vs the 2015 top team again and their remaining confidence completely collapsed into capitulation as the goals mounted. Though BM’s experiment came from a place of deep care, it resulted in a painful lesson. Their spark has been extinguished. With Super Copa on the horizon, I pray they can reignite it and turn it around with a great showing. Next year I hope they will return to their actual age group. I believe this is a vital step to heal their morale, rebuild their broken confidence, and get their swag back.

I'm the op. I would also like to add that I am not saying these girls aren't talented. It's just hard to play against bigger/faster kids who have been playing 9v9 already. There's only so much you can do.

Honestly that’s a cop out. There’s always something to improve upon on the field. There will always be bigger and faster players. You don’t get better by dominating and winning all your games. My dd’s team would scrimmage the boys teams pretty consistently. They would initially lose but eventually they improved and the games ended quite competitive. It’s only going to get tougher and harder at the top level.

So getting blown out every game helps develop players?

If you’re a competitive player it certainly does. You see where you need to get to and what you need to improve upon. If you have a parent constantly crying how unfair it is, the player will hear that and emulate that. They play EXPECTING to lose, rather than seeing it as a chance to improve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Getting blown out game after game doesn't do anything for development. Obviously they couldn't compete at that level which means they couldn't do anything on the field to get better. They should have just played in a lower EDP division.

The decision to play up a division ultimately took a devastating emotional toll on the players, overshadowing BM’s well-meaning intentions to accelerate their growth. While the team started the season with strong morale and fought hard in early, competitive losses, the relentless pressure of facing elite opponents systematically broke their spirit. Several heavy defeats stripped the players of their natural swagger and honestly it was hard to watch. They just had another scrimmage vs the 2015 top team again and their remaining confidence completely collapsed into capitulation as the goals mounted. Though BM’s experiment came from a place of deep care, it resulted in a painful lesson. Their spark has been extinguished. With Super Copa on the horizon, I pray they can reignite it and turn it around with a great showing. Next year I hope they will return to their actual age group. I believe this is a vital step to heal their morale, rebuild their broken confidence, and get their swag back.

I'm the op. I would also like to add that I am not saying these girls aren't talented. It's just hard to play against bigger/faster kids who have been playing 9v9 already. There's only so much you can do.

Clearly I am an outlier. Not once did my kid come home crying after these losses. Disappointed - yes; but by no means devastated. In her mind, they are the underdogs in every game that they played up in the top bracket, so there was no expectation to win, but at least keep it competitive. And they did keep it competitive in a few of the early games (2-1; 2-1; 1-1) Not every game was a blow out! After the losses during the EDP league games, they had a good showing at the SAC tournament (Memorial Day weekend), beating a team that they lost to during the season, and then losing in the finals on penalties (to another team that they lost to convincingly during the season). To me, that showed some growth (silver lining!!!!!)

Do I agree with them playing in the top bracket a year up - NO! (IMO, they should have played a division down, at least)
Do I agree with some of his game decisions - NO!
Were they competitive in all games - NO!
Did they get game experience playing against faster/more competitive teams-YES!
Is there less of a spark in the girls - YES!
Was it productive? - Depends! (Some may say yes, some may say no)

I truly feel for the girls that have suffered during this experience (clearly I was not paying attention).

Spot on. My take exactly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Getting blown out game after game doesn't do anything for development. Obviously they couldn't compete at that level which means they couldn't do anything on the field to get better. They should have just played in a lower EDP division.

The decision to play up a division ultimately took a devastating emotional toll on the players, overshadowing BM’s well-meaning intentions to accelerate their growth. While the team started the season with strong morale and fought hard in early, competitive losses, the relentless pressure of facing elite opponents systematically broke their spirit. Several heavy defeats stripped the players of their natural swagger and honestly it was hard to watch. They just had another scrimmage vs the 2015 top team again and their remaining confidence completely collapsed into capitulation as the goals mounted. Though BM’s experiment came from a place of deep care, it resulted in a painful lesson. Their spark has been extinguished. With Super Copa on the horizon, I pray they can reignite it and turn it around with a great showing. Next year I hope they will return to their actual age group. I believe this is a vital step to heal their morale, rebuild their broken confidence, and get their swag back.

I'm the op. I would also like to add that I am not saying these girls aren't talented. It's just hard to play against bigger/faster kids who have been playing 9v9 already. There's only so much you can do.

Clearly I am an outlier. Not once did my kid come home crying after these losses. Disappointed - yes; but by no means devastated. In her mind, they are the underdogs in every game that they played up in the top bracket, so there was no expectation to win, but at least keep it competitive. And they did keep it competitive in a few of the early games (2-1; 2-1; 1-1) Not every game was a blow out! After the losses during the EDP league games, they had a good showing at the SAC tournament (Memorial Day weekend), beating a team that they lost to during the season, and then losing in the finals on penalties (to another team that they lost to convincingly during the season). To me, that showed some growth (silver lining!!!!!)

Do I agree with them playing in the top bracket a year up - NO! (IMO, they should have played a division down, at least)
Do I agree with some of his game decisions - NO!
Were they competitive in all games - NO!
Did they get game experience playing against faster/more competitive teams-YES!
Is there less of a spark in the girls - YES!
Was it productive? - Depends! (Some may say yes, some may say no)

I truly feel for the girls that have suffered during this experience (clearly I was not paying attention).

🎯

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Getting blown out game after game doesn't do anything for development. Obviously they couldn't compete at that level which means they couldn't do anything on the field to get better. They should have just played in a lower EDP division.

The decision to play up a division ultimately took a devastating emotional toll on the players, overshadowing BM’s well-meaning intentions to accelerate their growth. While the team started the season with strong morale and fought hard in early, competitive losses, the relentless pressure of facing elite opponents systematically broke their spirit. Several heavy defeats stripped the players of their natural swagger and honestly it was hard to watch. They just had another scrimmage vs the 2015 top team again and their remaining confidence completely collapsed into capitulation as the goals mounted. Though BM’s experiment came from a place of deep care, it resulted in a painful lesson. Their spark has been extinguished. With Super Copa on the horizon, I pray they can reignite it and turn it around with a great showing. Next year I hope they will return to their actual age group. I believe this is a vital step to heal their morale, rebuild their broken confidence, and get their swag back.

I'm the op. I would also like to add that I am not saying these girls aren't talented. It's just hard to play against bigger/faster kids who have been playing 9v9 already. There's only so much you can do.

Clearly I am an outlier. Not once did my kid come home crying after these losses. Disappointed - yes; but by no means devastated. In her mind, they are the underdogs in every game that they played up in the top bracket, so there was no expectation to win, but at least keep it competitive. And they did keep it competitive in a few of the early games (2-1; 2-1; 1-1) Not every game was a blow out! After the losses during the EDP league games, they had a good showing at the SAC tournament (Memorial Day weekend), beating a team that they lost to during the season, and then losing in the finals on penalties (to another team that they lost to convincingly during the season). To me, that showed some growth (silver lining!!!!!)

Do I agree with them playing in the top bracket a year up - NO! (IMO, they should have played a division down, at least)
Do I agree with some of his game decisions - NO!
Were they competitive in all games - NO!
Did they get game experience playing against faster/more competitive teams-YES!
Is there less of a spark in the girls - YES!
Was it productive? - Depends! (Some may say yes, some may say no)

I truly feel for the girls that have suffered during this experience (clearly I was not paying attention).

🎯

Is the same poster commenting on their own post making it seem like someone else? YES!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wrote this before and will repeat. The biggest issue isn’t the poor decisions of individual coaches, or the abuse of other coaches. The biggest issue with BSC is that NO ONE CARES. There is NO recourse when something goes wrong. You can’t contact the executive team, there is no working office number, the board members are friends of the executives. When something is really wrong, there is nowhere to turn. Cannot wait to get out.

This is true. It is a good ol boys club where the executive director, board, coaches, are all bros and protect each other. They drove out some excellent female coaches (such as SH-C) and the ones remaining have little-to-no say in operations at all. They hire family and friends without caring about their checkered pasts (SC can't coach in NJ anymore? No problem, come to BSC), give inappropriate roster spots to the children of friends and coaches, and are heavily influenced by wealthy and connected families within the club. While every dedicated player will train outside of their club, the BSC practices are truly useless for most age groups and will not assist in development at all. The club feedback surveys are never read and result in zero changes. BSC relies on its monopoly in the area and the marketing of ECNL. The ONE promising thing to take from recent posts in this thread is that families of really talented MoCo kids have realized their power and that the club isn't needed to reach their kids' goals. Never seen a mass exodus like the one that happened after this year's tryouts (yeah there's an age change blah blah, trust me that had minimal impact for most teams). But yes OP, you are 100% correct that there's no accountability for anyone at this club.

[Anonymous]

“Mass Exodus” yet the spots stay filled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Mass Exodus” yet the spots stay filled.

Those of us in travel soccer are all slaves to the PE masters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Mass Exodus” yet the spots stay filled.

You don't think an exodus of current, longtime first team players is concerning? Lol. You can stay and drink the Koolaid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Mass Exodus” yet the spots stay filled.

You don't think an exodus of current, longtime first team players is concerning? Lol. You can stay and drink the Koolaid.

What age group has a mass exodus?

[Anonymous]

Why is it some BSC parents respond so negatively to parents removing their children from a situation that they think isn’t benefitting them? Like chill out, let those folks go. Just be happy in your own little cult, it’s all good. Please, continue to stay there. Everything is great and wonderful for you all. Be happy your kids don’t have competition for roster spots! Couldn’t be happier for you all really I couldn’t. Enjoy the wow folks.