ECNL forcing Brave & Union Partnership

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 2011 boy has just been offered spots at both FVU and VDA. After going through what each academy offers, we're gravitating towards VDA, primarily due to their training schedule. From what we understand, VDA is quite rigorous, holding training sessions 4 days a week for 1.5 hours each, with a relatively short break of just 2 weeks over winter.

However, I've been hearing some chatter from parents with kids at Brave, suggesting a different story there. They've mentioned that Brave's schedule is less demanding, with training only 3 days a week and a significantly longer break during winter. Moreover, it seems Brave participates in fewer tournaments compared to VDA, yet, interestingly, charges more for their program.

Is there any truth to these claims? I'd love to hear from anyone who's had experience with either (or both) of these academies.

We only had 2 weeks off-xmas week and after. 3 days a week practice - which is norm for the ecnl clubs my kids have played at. Oldest at mlsnext has 4 practices per week—which is the norm for mlsnext teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 2011 boy has just been offered spots at both FVU and VDA. After going through what each academy offers, we're gravitating towards VDA, primarily due to their training schedule. From what we understand, VDA is quite rigorous, holding training sessions 4 days a week for 1.5 hours each, with a relatively short break of just 2 weeks over winter.

However, I've been hearing some chatter from parents with kids at Brave, suggesting a different story there. They've mentioned that Brave's schedule is less demanding, with training only 3 days a week and a significantly longer break during winter. Moreover, it seems Brave participates in fewer tournaments compared to VDA, yet, interestingly, charges more for their program.

Is there any truth to these claims? I'd love to hear from anyone who's had experience with either (or both) of these academies.

Unless there are commuting concerns, run to VDA.

[Anonymous]

[/quote]

Ding ding ding for what. You are clueless. Even if the starters could not score, this should have resulted in a tie not a loss.

When the subs come in, they cannot keep up with the intensity of the game and at that point a lot of defending in union's half of the field.

With this, sooner or later goals.will get in .
[/quote]

Betsy Betsy Betsy. Problem is lazy subbing by JW and BH (who is even lazier). Changing out 4-5 players at once with 10 minutes to left in half is not helpful. Hard to play at same intensity as starters who’ve had at least 30 minutes to build intensity and still score zero goals. You are truly clueless and classless

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 2011 boy has just been offered spots at both FVU and VDA. After going through what each academy offers, we're gravitating towards VDA, primarily due to their training schedule. From what we understand, VDA is quite rigorous, holding training sessions 4 days a week for 1.5 hours each, with a relatively short break of just 2 weeks over winter.

However, I've been hearing some chatter from parents with kids at Brave, suggesting a different story there. They've mentioned that Brave's schedule is less demanding, with training only 3 days a week and a significantly longer break during winter. Moreover, it seems Brave participates in fewer tournaments compared to VDA, yet, interestingly, charges more for their program.

Is there any truth to these claims? I'd love to hear from anyone who's had experience with either (or both) of these academies.

We only had 2 weeks off-xmas week and after. 3 days a week practice - which is norm for the ecnl clubs my kids have played at. Oldest at mlsnext has 4 practices per week—which is the norm for mlsnext teams.

The choice between FVU and VDA really depends on your son. I will assume your son isn't currently on the team, but I am sure you know that the 2011 VDA team is SUUUUPPPER strong. A large number of the boys have been playing together since ADP (and all started playing travel a year early) and they are, no exageration, a special, special talented group (I think two are leaving to go to DCA, which is really the only reason there is som room on that roster). Their coach leaving notwithstanding, it seems like it could be hard to break into significant playing time if you're from the outside.

That being said, I wouldn't touch FVU with a 10 foot pole. This whole thing seems so chaotic and messy. Lots of hurt feelings I am guessing and just all
around tough situation from the outside looking in. BRAVE on boys side was a mess, just a lot of bad decisions and mismanaging, and if it were my son, VDA would be my choice. What does your son want?

Good LUCK!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 2011 boy has just been offered spots at both FVU and VDA. After going through what each academy offers, we're gravitating towards VDA, primarily due to their training schedule. From what we understand, VDA is quite rigorous, holding training sessions 4 days a week for 1.5 hours each, with a relatively short break of just 2 weeks over winter.

However, I've been hearing some chatter from parents with kids at Brave, suggesting a different story there. They've mentioned that Brave's schedule is less demanding, with training only 3 days a week and a significantly longer break during winter. Moreover, it seems Brave participates in fewer tournaments compared to VDA, yet, interestingly, charges more for their program.

Is there any truth to these claims? I'd love to hear from anyone who's had experience with either (or both) of these academies.

We only had 2 weeks off-xmas week and after. 3 days a week practice - which is norm for the ecnl clubs my kids have played at. Oldest at mlsnext has 4 practices per week—which is the norm for mlsnext teams.

The choice between FVU and VDA really depends on your son. I will assume your son isn't currently on the team, but I am sure you know that the 2011 VDA team is SUUUUPPPER strong. A large number of the boys have been playing together since ADP (and all started playing travel a year early) and they are, no exageration, a special, special talented group (I think two are leaving to go to DCA, which is really the only reason there is som room on that roster). Their coach leaving notwithstanding, it seems like it could be hard to break into significant playing time if you're from the outside.

That being said, I wouldn't touch FVU with a 10 foot pole. This whole thing seems so chaotic and messy. Lots of hurt feelings I am guessing and just all
around tough situation from the outside looking in. BRAVE on boys side was a mess, just a lot of bad decisions and mismanaging, and if it were my son, VDA would be my choice. What does your son want?

Good LUCK!

For 2011's , VDA is your best choice. On the boys side of FVU., only the 10s and 08s have potential.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean parent already have ML in their pocket so that's why they are so pissed off, and why SYC families are so willing to leave. MV has never demonstrated that he cares what any parent thinks. This is every overinvolved soccer parents worst fear but may lead to better results. Give the Dutch guy a shot

Better results than what? Winning the top bracket of Jeff cup? Finishing in 2nd place in conference play with just 1 loss? And no, no one has ML in their pocket. He's a tough but fair coach. He has a great reputation and every parent I know whose daughter played for him has nothing but good things to say, whether they played for him in Herndon, DMV FC, or McLean. Stop trying to create a false narrative. The "Dutch guy" doesn't have a good record and Brave families will tell you they are disappointed he's on the coaching slate.

Nice try, but not true. Most Brave players and families have embraced these upcoming changes only because MV is involved.

Not a false narrative this is the truth. Call me what you will, but I've been spot on for all this since page 1 of this thread. MV is well regarded, respected, and appreciated by Brave families. Notice I didn't say liked. They will certainly follow him to Union, IF they are able to make the team. He's not sentimental so he will put best team together from who shows up to tyouts and IDs. The fact that 7 Brave offers were made at 2010s speaks volumes to not his favoritism to Brave players, but the reality that half of the current Union team is not coming back, thats on ML and MYS parents specifically. If the team that just won Jeff Cup was bringing everyone back and just reloading with 2-3 best players at Brave, and 2-3 other solid players in NoVa making moves then sure my narrative is wrong. The truth is the team will be different, and ML had to bend and invite 7 Brave players. We all know only 2-3 should have been added, but when you lose talent you got be creative so more offers had to be made to the inferior group of players.

MV is in over his head regardless of what VYS parents who never had ECNL aspirations before believe. The reality is the BRAVE families lucked out that they will inherit McLean experience and connections because MV has zero pull with college coaches.

MV puts 4 players in college. LOL

MV is like every other coach in this area that knows how to survive in youth soccer. Make some pitch (in MV’s case it’s some BS about Dutch soccer philosophy) to recruit the best players you can. Throw them on the field w no real coaching philosophy or style other than play a very defensive set and boot the ball up to the star players and hope they can win games on their individual brilliance. If they win, kiss the star players asses so they stay and claim victory. If they lose, blame LO.

What a loser. No player that has options and D1 aspirations is following MV to FVU. FVU on the girls side will basically be Union plus a few players. Expect more of the same which is middle tier ecnl.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean parent already have ML in their pocket so that's why they are so pissed off, and why SYC families are so willing to leave. MV has never demonstrated that he cares what any parent thinks. This is every overinvolved soccer parents worst fear but may lead to better results. Give the Dutch guy a shot

Better results than what? Winning the top bracket of Jeff cup? Finishing in 2nd place in conference play with just 1 loss? And no, no one has ML in their pocket. He's a tough but fair coach. He has a great reputation and every parent I know whose daughter played for him has nothing but good things to say, whether they played for him in Herndon, DMV FC, or McLean. Stop trying to create a false narrative. The "Dutch guy" doesn't have a good record and Brave families will tell you they are disappointed he's on the coaching slate.

Nice try, but not true. Most Brave players and families have embraced these upcoming changes only because MV is involved.

Not a false narrative this is the truth. Call me what you will, but I've been spot on for all this since page 1 of this thread. MV is well regarded, respected, and appreciated by Brave families. Notice I didn't say liked. They will certainly follow him to Union, IF they are able to make the team. He's not sentimental so he will put best team together from who shows up to tyouts and IDs. The fact that 7 Brave offers were made at 2010s speaks volumes to not his favoritism to Brave players, but the reality that half of the current Union team is not coming back, thats on ML and MYS parents specifically. If the team that just won Jeff Cup was bringing everyone back and just reloading with 2-3 best players at Brave, and 2-3 other solid players in NoVa making moves then sure my narrative is wrong. The truth is the team will be different, and ML had to bend and invite 7 Brave players. We all know only 2-3 should have been added, but when you lose talent you got be creative so more offers had to be made to the inferior group of players.

MV is in over his head regardless of what VYS parents who never had ECNL aspirations before believe. The reality is the BRAVE families lucked out that they will inherit McLean experience and connections because MV has zero pull with college coaches.

MV puts 4 players in college. LOL

MV is like every other coach in this area that knows how to survive in youth soccer. Make some pitch (in MV’s case it’s some BS about Dutch soccer philosophy) to recruit the best players you can. Throw them on the field w no real coaching philosophy or style other than play a very defensive set and boot the ball up to the star players and hope they can win games on their individual brilliance. If they win, kiss the star players asses so they stay and claim victory. If they lose, blame LO.

What a loser. No player that has options and D1 aspirations is following MV to FVU. FVU on the girls side will basically be Union plus a few players. Expect more of the same which is middle tier ecnl.

Middle tier ECNL is quite nice on the girls side.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean parent already have ML in their pocket so that's why they are so pissed off, and why SYC families are so willing to leave. MV has never demonstrated that he cares what any parent thinks. This is every overinvolved soccer parents worst fear but may lead to better results. Give the Dutch guy a shot

Better results than what? Winning the top bracket of Jeff cup? Finishing in 2nd place in conference play with just 1 loss? And no, no one has ML in their pocket. He's a tough but fair coach. He has a great reputation and every parent I know whose daughter played for him has nothing but good things to say, whether they played for him in Herndon, DMV FC, or McLean. Stop trying to create a false narrative. The "Dutch guy" doesn't have a good record and Brave families will tell you they are disappointed he's on the coaching slate.

Nice try, but not true. Most Brave players and families have embraced these upcoming changes only because MV is involved.

Not a false narrative this is the truth. Call me what you will, but I've been spot on for all this since page 1 of this thread. MV is well regarded, respected, and appreciated by Brave families. Notice I didn't say liked. They will certainly follow him to Union, IF they are able to make the team. He's not sentimental so he will put best team together from who shows up to tyouts and IDs. The fact that 7 Brave offers were made at 2010s speaks volumes to not his favoritism to Brave players, but the reality that half of the current Union team is not coming back, thats on ML and MYS parents specifically. If the team that just won Jeff Cup was bringing everyone back and just reloading with 2-3 best players at Brave, and 2-3 other solid players in NoVa making moves then sure my narrative is wrong. The truth is the team will be different, and ML had to bend and invite 7 Brave players. We all know only 2-3 should have been added, but when you lose talent you got be creative so more offers had to be made to the inferior group of players.

MV is in over his head regardless of what VYS parents who never had ECNL aspirations before believe. The reality is the BRAVE families lucked out that they will inherit McLean experience and connections because MV has zero pull with college coaches.

MV puts 4 players in college. LOL

MV is like every other coach in this area that knows how to survive in youth soccer. Make some pitch (in MV’s case it’s some BS about Dutch soccer philosophy) to recruit the best players you can. Throw them on the field w no real coaching philosophy or style other than play a very defensive set and boot the ball up to the star players and hope they can win games on their individual brilliance. If they win, kiss the star players asses so they stay and claim victory. If they lose, blame LO.

What a loser. No player that has options and D1 aspirations is following MV to FVU. FVU on the girls side will basically be Union plus a few players. Expect more of the same which is middle tier ecnl.

Middle tier ECNL is quite nice on the girls side.

Whatever you think. What if every other local ecnl team is better? Will you think it is still quite nice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean parent already have ML in their pocket so that's why they are so pissed off, and why SYC families are so willing to leave. MV has never demonstrated that he cares what any parent thinks. This is every overinvolved soccer parents worst fear but may lead to better results. Give the Dutch guy a shot

Better results than what? Winning the top bracket of Jeff cup? Finishing in 2nd place in conference play with just 1 loss? And no, no one has ML in their pocket. He's a tough but fair coach. He has a great reputation and every parent I know whose daughter played for him has nothing but good things to say, whether they played for him in Herndon, DMV FC, or McLean. Stop trying to create a false narrative. The "Dutch guy" doesn't have a good record and Brave families will tell you they are disappointed he's on the coaching slate.

Nice try, but not true. Most Brave players and families have embraced these upcoming changes only because MV is involved.

Not a false narrative this is the truth. Call me what you will, but I've been spot on for all this since page 1 of this thread. MV is well regarded, respected, and appreciated by Brave families. Notice I didn't say liked. They will certainly follow him to Union, IF they are able to make the team. He's not sentimental so he will put best team together from who shows up to tyouts and IDs. The fact that 7 Brave offers were made at 2010s speaks volumes to not his favoritism to Brave players, but the reality that half of the current Union team is not coming back, thats on ML and MYS parents specifically. If the team that just won Jeff Cup was bringing everyone back and just reloading with 2-3 best players at Brave, and 2-3 other solid players in NoVa making moves then sure my narrative is wrong. The truth is the team will be different, and ML had to bend and invite 7 Brave players. We all know only 2-3 should have been added, but when you lose talent you got be creative so more offers had to be made to the inferior group of players.

MV is in over his head regardless of what VYS parents who never had ECNL aspirations before believe. The reality is the BRAVE families lucked out that they will inherit McLean experience and connections because MV has zero pull with college coaches.

MV puts 4 players in college. LOL

MV is like every other coach in this area that knows how to survive in youth soccer. Make some pitch (in MV’s case it’s some BS about Dutch soccer philosophy) to recruit the best players you can. Throw them on the field w no real coaching philosophy or style other than play a very defensive set and boot the ball up to the star players and hope they can win games on their individual brilliance. If they win, kiss the star players asses so they stay and claim victory. If they lose, blame LO.

What a loser. No player that has options and D1 aspirations is following MV to FVU. FVU on the girls side will basically be Union plus a few players. Expect more of the same which is middle tier ecnl.

Middle tier ECNL is quite nice on the girls side.

Whatever you think. What if every other local ecnl team is better? Will you think it is still quite nice?

You’re the loser. MV has the trust of all of the top VYS players and families. They will all follow him to FVU. I have confidence once he takes over FVU that other families will see that he will take care of the impact players. Results will follow.

[Anonymous]

200 pages of paranoia, ignorance, cynicism, sarcasm, insecurities, pettiness, envy, jealousy (miss anything)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:200 pages of paranoia, ignorance, cynicism, sarcasm, insecurities, pettiness, envy, jealousy (miss anything)

+ Pointless Commentary (see above)

[Anonymous]

I only speak from the position of a 2012 girl but there were at least 70 kids in the pool. At the final big trial there was beautiful soccer being played across kids who clearly didn't know each other but knew how to play. There wasn't huge rotation. I think they keyed in on 20 ish girls. I'm not even cautiously hopeful for this age group. I think they can excel

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:200 pages of paranoia, ignorance, cynicism, sarcasm, insecurities, pettiness, envy, jealousy (miss anything)

+ Pointless Commentary (see above)

Do I have to pay $4.5k a year for the privilege of being a parent of this club? Can’t wait!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 2011 boy has just been offered spots at both FVU and VDA. After going through what each academy offers, we're gravitating towards VDA, primarily due to their training schedule. From what we understand, VDA is quite rigorous, holding training sessions 4 days a week for 1.5 hours each, with a relatively short break of just 2 weeks over winter.

However, I've been hearing some chatter from parents with kids at Brave, suggesting a different story there. They've mentioned that Brave's schedule is less demanding, with training only 3 days a week and a significantly longer break during winter. Moreover, it seems Brave participates in fewer tournaments compared to VDA, yet, interestingly, charges more for their program.

Is there any truth to these claims? I'd love to hear from anyone who's had experience with either (or both) of these academies.

Unless there are commuting concerns, run to VDA.

Make sure you know what specific fields the practices are at. Some of the fields 1 hour apart from each other. Ask so you are not stuck in a crazy commute.

[Anonymous]

MYS emailed the boys side that John Harkes is taking over as a coach for a few teams, and boys technical assistant on the boys side. If they had this ace up their sleeve for the boys side, why the heck didn't they pull it out sooner? This is a positive development for many players but it makes zero sense that disastor had to strike before the club decided to provide resources to the boys side....