Coaching Staff for SJC Boys Soccer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My advice would be to steer clear of SJC because of Sal. He ignores most of the boys on the team other than his chosen few, and there is pressure to play at Achilles. He is rude, disorganized, and a bad communicator. Go there at your peril. There are much more pleasant school soccer environments imho

Current SJC parent here. All of this is very true and our experience with Sal.

Part of the rationale for playing HS soccer is to play for a coach that is also focused on developing young men and women of character. Sal is not a teacher and was difficult to communicate with. Achilles players get priority.

Fortunately my son found other opportunities to be a part of the community at SJC.

[Harandie]

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[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any current experience with SJC and boys’ soccer? We are applying and play club now but not at Achilles. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any current experience with SJC and boys’ soccer? We are applying and play club now but not at Achilles. Thank you!

What do u need to know? No, u don’t need to be at Achilles to make a team. If he plays club, he’ll make freshman team at least. If u r MLSNext/ECNL, go to a summer camp and let the coaches know and ball out and maybe you’ll make JV. Sal only coaches varsity, other Achilles FC coaches coach the other teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My advice would be to steer clear of SJC because of Sal. He ignores most of the boys on the team other than his chosen few, and there is pressure to play at Achilles. He is rude, disorganized, and a bad communicator. Go there at your peril. There are much more pleasant school soccer environments imho

Your kid will walk away with more technical skill and knowledge than any other local school can provide, imo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I believe, but am not positive, that Vin Caccavale works with the St. John's JV squad. He's an excellent coach and in charge of the younger boys at Achilles. Hundreds of smart parents and kids have made the choice to play for Sal and Vin at Achilles and St. John's. STJ Varsity is 9-1. The JV is 6-1. Achilles 07s, 09s, 10s, and 11s are all among the top teams in the area. Check out a practice or a game and talk to the coaches and parents. I hope your son finds a great fit.

OP here -- thanks very much! Yes, I plan to meet the coaches later this month. My son is tough, and I think he could put up with just about anybody, but I won't be comfortable if the coach is a jerk. And we don't plan to join Achilles, so if that is needed to get playing time at SJC, then we will pass. We really like SJC as a school, so just need to figure out the soccer piece. I am hoping all of the concerns about the coaching staff is overblown.

Search the soccer thread for "Sal" or for "Achilles" and judge for yourself.

Sounds like the OP has the right idea to talk to the coaches and see the team play. To PP: Reading comments on an anonymous message board is not an effective way to "judge for yourself."

Particularly when it’s likely the Achilles stalker creating 99% of the negative. Their kid didn’t make the cut during COVID and since then, trash Achilles at every turn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My advice would be to steer clear of SJC because of Sal. He ignores most of the boys on the team other than his chosen few, and there is pressure to play at Achilles. He is rude, disorganized, and a bad communicator. Go there at your peril. There are much more pleasant school soccer environments imho

Current SJC parent here. All of this is very true and our experience with Sal.

Part of the rationale for playing HS soccer is to play for a coach that is also focused on developing young men and women of character. Sal is not a teacher and was difficult to communicate with. Achilles players get priority.

Fortunately my son found other opportunities to be a part of the community at SJC.

So your son wasn’t very good. Sal isn’t very diplomatic, but at least you know where you stand.