Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So HP Elite does there training at nZone and has Friday night sessions (Shooting Finishing) and Saturday night sessions (Footskills) for like $20/hr. I heard it is very good.
Joga now goes by SMI, Inc. They do not have teams anymore. It's strictly training. The training is Friday nights and Saturday mornings. They have different packages. Probably most expensive package is $15/hr. They train over near Patriot Park. I heard the training is hit or miss. I heard a lot of the kids that played on the actual Joga teams last year went to Arlington this year. The goal apparently is to provide year round supplemental training and take groups of kids to Europe in the summer to play some scrimmages and get that experience.
My son has done a Golden Boot camp in the summer and it was a lot better than I expected. However, I don't know anything about longer term training with them.

They made the Arlington Development Academy team over the in-house red team Arlington players. I heard the ones too young for Development Academy went over to Bethesda and Alexandria (not Arl) depending where their home base is.

I think that's why a couple of weeks back on one of these posts people were so upset on how Arlington was taking outsiders over those that had been with the program for many years. The thing is that anyone can try-out anywhere and from my understanding the Joga kids were at try-outs at all the big clubs. Clubs are going to pick those players that are the best and sometimes it involves taking players from outside the club. The issue with that is that it makes the local parents really consider on whether it makes sense to fork over $2k+ if the following year their kid will not be selected. The consumer always think they are entitled to something just because they paid for services for the prior year. There is a fine line that the club needs to balance but from what I heard it was a large number of players from Joga. All that it means is that the "Red" players were just not as good as the Joga players that tried out and if the club didn't actively recruit those players than parents of those "Red" players need to realize that their kids just did not develop enough to be part of the Academy team. Unfortunately we live in a "Pay to Play" society where many players only play at a certain level because they can afford it.

And to be honest, Joga has a pretty good reputation for development so it is not like scrubs came in off the street and beat some kids out.

Looking at the Joga SC website, it seems all the kids and people involved were black. Whenever we've gone against Arlington teams, all the boys are white. Is this why some of the parents of Arlington kids were angry their boys who have been with Arlington for 3+ years(travel) didn't get on the Academy team even their kid was on the top team in the past?

Or is there more to Arlington taking outsiders.

On another note, what if these kids made it and were playing on a scholarship which is being subsidized by the other paying parents, now that is a reason to be mad. ha ha.

yeah, screw the 'poors'. UFB.

"UFB" i think you mis-interpreted the way the statement was made, hence the "ha ha" at the end. If it wasn't for scholarships most of the talent in this nation wouldn't get the opportunity to play. It was more in reference how the Arlington parents were upset, didn't get academy, and needed to pay for these new players.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that these Joga kids are talented/skilled enough to play anywhere. It's tough when they all pick Arlington or whatever. There isn't loyalty to Arlington. Next year they all can get a bug up their ass and decide on McLean or something. Then these Arlington kids that were beaten out the year before, may not want to come back. It's a tough business. It's not easy on clubs, coaches, parents, and of course and most importantly...the kids.

It is travel soccer, the only thing that should really matter is merit and talent. Loyalty? LOL

true but the issue is that if those kids don't come back and the "local" kids are no longer interest, the program runs the chance of putting together a below average team to compete.

That's just the way it goes, it's a meritocracy (mostly) and the better kids move on to higher level programs. Happens in sports, academics, business - how is this a problem? Close to 1/2 of the Mclean U15B team that won the National Championships last month is moving to Bethesda Academy - it's what happens when kids commit themselves to a sport. They need to find other kids equally committed/talented to progress.

Was that MCLean U15B a CCL team ? You have to feel a little sorry for the teammates staying at Mclean to play. Things are already a mess with the new age groups and then half your team is leaving for a better team ? How are they supposed to compete against some of the other CCL teams that have been together for years ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that these Joga kids are talented/skilled enough to play anywhere. It's tough when they all pick Arlington or whatever. There isn't loyalty to Arlington. Next year they all can get a bug up their ass and decide on McLean or something. Then these Arlington kids that were beaten out the year before, may not want to come back. It's a tough business. It's not easy on clubs, coaches, parents, and of course and most importantly...the kids.

It is travel soccer, the only thing that should really matter is merit and talent. Loyalty? LOL

true but the issue is that if those kids don't come back and the "local" kids are no longer interest, the program runs the chance of putting together a below average team to compete.

That's just the way it goes, it's a meritocracy (mostly) and the better kids move on to higher level programs. Happens in sports, academics, business - how is this a problem? Close to 1/2 of the Mclean U15B team that won the National Championships last month is moving to Bethesda Academy - it's what happens when kids commit themselves to a sport. They need to find other kids equally committed/talented to progress.

Was that MCLean U15B a CCL team ? You have to feel a little sorry for the teammates staying at Mclean to play. Things are already a mess with the new age groups and then half your team is leaving for a better team ? How are they supposed to compete against some of the other CCL teams that have been together for years ?

1. Who cares

2. I wasn't aware that the Age Group Change only affected McLean teams.

[Anonymous]

Fuck the clubs. Be the best player you can be. Period.

There isn't loyalty in either direction.

The only thing you can count on is your own talent. Develop it. Practice.

Move on when they act like douchebags. They can all waddle in mediocracy together while patting each other on the back and saying they are the best.

Lemmings follow lemmings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that these Joga kids are talented/skilled enough to play anywhere. It's tough when they all pick Arlington or whatever. There isn't loyalty to Arlington. Next year they all can get a bug up their ass and decide on McLean or something. Then these Arlington kids that were beaten out the year before, may not want to come back. It's a tough business. It's not easy on clubs, coaches, parents, and of course and most importantly...the kids.

It is travel soccer, the only thing that should really matter is merit and talent. Loyalty? LOL

true but the issue is that if those kids don't come back and the "local" kids are no longer interest, the program runs the chance of putting together a below average team to compete.

That's just the way it goes, it's a meritocracy (mostly) and the better kids move on to higher level programs. Happens in sports, academics, business - how is this a problem? Close to 1/2 of the Mclean U15B team that won the National Championships last month is moving to Bethesda Academy - it's what happens when kids commit themselves to a sport. They need to find other kids equally committed/talented to progress.

Was that MCLean U15B a CCL team ? You have to feel a little sorry for the teammates staying at Mclean to play. Things are already a mess with the new age groups and then half your team is leaving for a better team ? How are they supposed to compete against some of the other CCL teams that have been together for years ?

1. Who cares

2. I wasn't aware that the Age Group Change only affected McLean teams.

1. I'm sure the kids left behind caree.

2. your an idiot

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that these Joga kids are talented/skilled enough to play anywhere. It's tough when they all pick Arlington or whatever. There isn't loyalty to Arlington. Next year they all can get a bug up their ass and decide on McLean or something. Then these Arlington kids that were beaten out the year before, may not want to come back. It's a tough business. It's not easy on clubs, coaches, parents, and of course and most importantly...the kids.

It is travel soccer, the only thing that should really matter is merit and talent. Loyalty? LOL

true but the issue is that if those kids don't come back and the "local" kids are no longer interest, the program runs the chance of putting together a below average team to compete.

That's just the way it goes, it's a meritocracy (mostly) and the better kids move on to higher level programs. Happens in sports, academics, business - how is this a problem? Close to 1/2 of the Mclean U15B team that won the National Championships last month is moving to Bethesda Academy - it's what happens when kids commit themselves to a sport. They need to find other kids equally committed/talented to progress.

Was that MCLean U15B a CCL team ? You have to feel a little sorry for the teammates staying at Mclean to play. Things are already a mess with the new age groups and then half your team is leaving for a better team ? How are they supposed to compete against some of the other CCL teams that have been together for years ?

1. Who cares

2. I wasn't aware that the Age Group Change only affected McLean teams.

1. I'm sure the kids left behind caree.

2. your an idiot

If your kids couldn't latch onto a team then you're the idiot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that these Joga kids are talented/skilled enough to play anywhere. It's tough when they all pick Arlington or whatever. There isn't loyalty to Arlington. Next year they all can get a bug up their ass and decide on McLean or something. Then these Arlington kids that were beaten out the year before, may not want to come back. It's a tough business. It's not easy on clubs, coaches, parents, and of course and most importantly...the kids.

It is travel soccer, the only thing that should really matter is merit and talent. Loyalty? LOL

true but the issue is that if those kids don't come back and the "local" kids are no longer interest, the program runs the chance of putting together a below average team to compete.

That's just the way it goes, it's a meritocracy (mostly) and the better kids move on to higher level programs. Happens in sports, academics, business - how is this a problem? Close to 1/2 of the Mclean U15B team that won the National Championships last month is moving to Bethesda Academy - it's what happens when kids commit themselves to a sport. They need to find other kids equally committed/talented to progress.

Was that MCLean U15B a CCL team ? You have to feel a little sorry for the teammates staying at Mclean to play. Things are already a mess with the new age groups and then half your team is leaving for a better team ? How are they supposed to compete against some of the other CCL teams that have been together for years ?

1. Who cares

2. I wasn't aware that the Age Group Change only affected McLean teams.

1. I'm sure the kids left behind caree.

2. your an idiot

If your kids couldn't latch onto a team then you're the idiot.

I have to know -- is there only one macho self-inflated vicariously-living-through-CCL-kid jerk on this thread, or are you multiple people?

I don't blame kids for going to a Development Academy club. There are few sure things in soccer, but a DA slot almost guarantees you a spot on a college team somewhere.

I DO blame a system that now leaves a deflated team in a league that has no promotion/relegation. And the proposed solution is that they should ALSO go shop around for other clubs? Suppose the parents don't have time to drive their kids all over Northern Virginia three times a week to practice somewhere other than their local clubs?

But it's OK. We want soccer to be a nice suburban sport for rich families who need to one-up each other by getting to "better" clubs. Their money and their au pairs will get them wherever they want.

And then the rest of us can laugh when these players inevitably get stomped by kids who grew up playing on dusty streets in Ghana or Honduras.

[Anonymous]

CCL no longer has the same pull it did 3 years ago, when most of the clubs in the area didn't have a USDA.

I would take NCSL over CCL any day. The reason VPL is considered better than NCSL is it took a few clubs from the local league and there are league games in Richmond and VA Beach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that these Joga kids are talented/skilled enough to play anywhere. It's tough when they all pick Arlington or whatever. There isn't loyalty to Arlington. Next year they all can get a bug up their ass and decide on McLean or something. Then these Arlington kids that were beaten out the year before, may not want to come back. It's a tough business. It's not easy on clubs, coaches, parents, and of course and most importantly...the kids.

It is travel soccer, the only thing that should really matter is merit and talent. Loyalty? LOL

true but the issue is that if those kids don't come back and the "local" kids are no longer interest, the program runs the chance of putting together a below average team to compete.

That's just the way it goes, it's a meritocracy (mostly) and the better kids move on to higher level programs. Happens in sports, academics, business - how is this a problem? Close to 1/2 of the Mclean U15B team that won the National Championships last month is moving to Bethesda Academy - it's what happens when kids commit themselves to a sport. They need to find other kids equally committed/talented to progress.

Was that MCLean U15B a CCL team ? You have to feel a little sorry for the teammates staying at Mclean to play. Things are already a mess with the new age groups and then half your team is leaving for a better team ? How are they supposed to compete against some of the other CCL teams that have been together for years ?

1. Who cares

2. I wasn't aware that the Age Group Change only affected McLean teams.

1. I'm sure the kids left behind caree.

2. your an idiot

If your kids couldn't latch onto a team then you're the idiot.

I have to know -- is there only one macho self-inflated vicariously-living-through-CCL-kid jerk on this thread, or are you multiple people?

I don't blame kids for going to a Development Academy club. There are few sure things in soccer, but a DA slot almost guarantees you a spot on a college team somewhere.

I DO blame a system that now leaves a deflated team in a league that has no promotion/relegation. And the proposed solution is that they should ALSO go shop around for other clubs? Suppose the parents don't have time to drive their kids all over Northern Virginia three times a week to practice somewhere other than their local clubs?

But it's OK. We want soccer to be a nice suburban sport for rich families who need to one-up each other by getting to "better" clubs. Their money and their au pairs will get them wherever they want.

And then the rest of us can laugh when these players inevitably get stomped by kids who grew up playing on dusty streets in Ghana or Honduras.

Well, that won't happen this club (the deflation) since none of the A team players made their DA team. Now they can play the deflated teams in CCL and continue to pat their chests.

I'd be more concerned that I had paid for shitty/development training and wasted the last 3 years--especially when some of these DA kids were not selected by the same club when they tried out a few years ago. Seems like people are getting mad about the wrong things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that these Joga kids are talented/skilled enough to play anywhere. It's tough when they all pick Arlington or whatever. There isn't loyalty to Arlington. Next year they all can get a bug up their ass and decide on McLean or something. Then these Arlington kids that were beaten out the year before, may not want to come back. It's a tough business. It's not easy on clubs, coaches, parents, and of course and most importantly...the kids.

It is travel soccer, the only thing that should really matter is merit and talent. Loyalty? LOL

true but the issue is that if those kids don't come back and the "local" kids are no longer interest, the program runs the chance of putting together a below average team to compete.

That's just the way it goes, it's a meritocracy (mostly) and the better kids move on to higher level programs. Happens in sports, academics, business - how is this a problem? Close to 1/2 of the Mclean U15B team that won the National Championships last month is moving to Bethesda Academy - it's what happens when kids commit themselves to a sport. They need to find other kids equally committed/talented to progress.

Was that MCLean U15B a CCL team ? You have to feel a little sorry for the teammates staying at Mclean to play. Things are already a mess with the new age groups and then half your team is leaving for a better team ? How are they supposed to compete against some of the other CCL teams that have been together for years ?

1. Who cares

2. I wasn't aware that the Age Group Change only affected McLean teams.

1. I'm sure the kids left behind caree.

2. your an idiot

If your kids couldn't latch onto a team then you're the idiot.

I have to know -- is there only one macho self-inflated vicariously-living-through-CCL-kid jerk on this thread, or are you multiple people?

I don't blame kids for going to a Development Academy club. There are few sure things in soccer, but a DA slot almost guarantees you a spot on a college team somewhere.

I DO blame a system that now leaves a deflated team in a league that has no promotion/relegation. And the proposed solution is that they should ALSO go shop around for other clubs? Suppose the parents don't have time to drive their kids all over Northern Virginia three times a week to practice somewhere other than their local clubs?

But it's OK. We want soccer to be a nice suburban sport for rich families who need to one-up each other by getting to "better" clubs. Their money and their au pairs will get them wherever they want.

And then the rest of us can laugh when these players inevitably get stomped by kids who grew up playing on dusty streets in Ghana or Honduras.

I'm not pounding my chest for CCL. What I'm saying is nobody cares that a U15 team lost some kids to a opportunity. Nobody cares that some kids that were better came in and "displaced" some Arlington kids either. Nobody cares what happens to kids that are not theirs or they don't know.

So, if a Joga kid came in and tried out and Arlington and earned a spot, to bad. If kids left your U15 McLean team for DA who cares. I suspect your kid could have tried out for DA.

[Anonymous]

How does CCL work for high school aged kids who are on regional or national level teams? I believe most/all of the top CCL teams, like their non-CCL non-DA counterparts, play in the National league, Region 1 premier league, or EDP to help with showcasing and make sure they get good competition. This makes the deflation issue that posters were talking about vis a vis players leaving for DA less of an issue, but I never thought about whether these teams would have to add on a full CCL schedule on top of their HS play and other league games. Does CCL give waivers so the best teams can focus on the leagues that are more meaningful for players' college recruitment prospects?

Before there was CCL, the top teams typically dropped out of NCSL during the high school age groups to focus on these other leagues. It seems like it would be a burden and court overuse injuries to be required to continue in CCL if a team is playing in other leagues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to know -- is there only one macho self-inflated vicariously-living-through-CCL-kid jerk on this thread, or are you multiple people?

I don't blame kids for going to a Development Academy club. There are few sure things in soccer, but a DA slot almost guarantees you a spot on a college team somewhere.

I DO blame a system that now leaves a deflated team in a league that has no promotion/relegation. And the proposed solution is that they should ALSO go shop around for other clubs? Suppose the parents don't have time to drive their kids all over Northern Virginia three times a week to practice somewhere other than their local clubs?

But it's OK. We want soccer to be a nice suburban sport for rich families who need to one-up each other by getting to "better" clubs. Their money and their au pairs will get them wherever they want.

And then the rest of us can laugh when these players inevitably get stomped by kids who grew up playing on dusty streets in Ghana or Honduras.

I'm not pounding my chest for CCL. What I'm saying is nobody cares that a U15 team lost some kids to a opportunity. Nobody cares that some kids that were better came in and "displaced" some Arlington kids either. Nobody cares what happens to kids that are not theirs or they don't know.

So, if a Joga kid came in and tried out and Arlington and earned a spot, to bad. If kids left your U15 McLean team for DA who cares. I suspect your kid could have tried out for DA.

I think you answered my question -- it's one person with an inflated ego and no sense of empathy or concern for the sport as a whole.

You're wrong. I have no dog in this fight. My kids aren't in Arlington or McLean. They're not DA level.

If you were ever in a discussion on nuclear safety, would you say, "You must have been at Chernobyl"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does CCL work for high school aged kids who are on regional or national level teams? I believe most/all of the top CCL teams, like their non-CCL non-DA counterparts, play in the National league, Region 1 premier league, or EDP to help with showcasing and make sure they get good competition. This makes the deflation issue that posters were talking about vis a vis players leaving for DA less of an issue, but I never thought about whether these teams would have to add on a full CCL schedule on top of their HS play and other league games. Does CCL give waivers so the best teams can focus on the leagues that are more meaningful for players' college recruitment prospects?

Before there was CCL, the top teams typically dropped out of NCSL during the high school age groups to focus on these other leagues. It seems like it would be a burden and court overuse injuries to be required to continue in CCL if a team is playing in other leagues.

Most top players don't play high school, so that's not much of an issue but to the extent it is, at the older age groups, CCL has few, if any, games in the Spring when Virginia public schools have their soccer season. For CCL teams playing in a regional or national league, those games take precedent over CCL games, and CCL games would be rescheduled if there is a conflict. For my child's team, CCL games are for development, ie, new positions, non-starters play a lot more, maybe a younger club player plays up, etc. Regional/national league games are about winning. There is no waiver that I'm aware.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to know -- is there only one macho self-inflated vicariously-living-through-CCL-kid jerk on this thread, or are you multiple people?

I don't blame kids for going to a Development Academy club. There are few sure things in soccer, but a DA slot almost guarantees you a spot on a college team somewhere.

I DO blame a system that now leaves a deflated team in a league that has no promotion/relegation. And the proposed solution is that they should ALSO go shop around for other clubs? Suppose the parents don't have time to drive their kids all over Northern Virginia three times a week to practice somewhere other than their local clubs?

But it's OK. We want soccer to be a nice suburban sport for rich families who need to one-up each other by getting to "better" clubs. Their money and their au pairs will get them wherever they want.

And then the rest of us can laugh when these players inevitably get stomped by kids who grew up playing on dusty streets in Ghana or Honduras.

I'm not pounding my chest for CCL. What I'm saying is nobody cares that a U15 team lost some kids to a opportunity. Nobody cares that some kids that were better came in and "displaced" some Arlington kids either. Nobody cares what happens to kids that are not theirs or they don't know.

So, if a Joga kid came in and tried out and Arlington and earned a spot, to bad. If kids left your U15 McLean team for DA who cares. I suspect your kid could have tried out for DA.

I think you answered my question -- it's one person with an inflated ego and no sense of empathy or concern for the sport as a whole.

You're wrong. I have no dog in this fight. My kids aren't in Arlington or McLean. They're not DA level.

If you were ever in a discussion on nuclear safety, would you say, "You must have been at Chernobyl"?

Oh please stop. You don't care anymore about the plight of kids in youth soccer than I or anyone else does. You just feel that in someway your kid got the short end of the stick and are looking to blame the system or politics for your perceived slight.

In reality nothing is guaranteed so to expect a club or kids to have loyalty because it suits your interest is nothing more than self entitlement cloaked in self righteousness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that these Joga kids are talented/skilled enough to play anywhere. It's tough when they all pick Arlington or whatever. There isn't loyalty to Arlington. Next year they all can get a bug up their ass and decide on McLean or something. Then these Arlington kids that were beaten out the year before, may not want to come back. It's a tough business. It's not easy on clubs, coaches, parents, and of course and most importantly...the kids.

It is travel soccer, the only thing that should really matter is merit and talent. Loyalty? LOL

true but the issue is that if those kids don't come back and the "local" kids are no longer interest, the program runs the chance of putting together a below average team to compete.

That's just the way it goes, it's a meritocracy (mostly) and the better kids move on to higher level programs. Happens in sports, academics, business - how is this a problem? Close to 1/2 of the Mclean U15B team that won the National Championships last month is moving to Bethesda Academy - it's what happens when kids commit themselves to a sport. They need to find other kids equally committed/talented to progress.

Was that MCLean U15B a CCL team ? You have to feel a little sorry for the teammates staying at Mclean to play. Things are already a mess with the new age groups and then half your team is leaving for a better team ? How are they supposed to compete against some of the other CCL teams that have been together for years ?

1. Who cares

2. I wasn't aware that the Age Group Change only affected McLean teams.

1. I'm sure the kids left behind caree.

2. your an idiot

If your kids couldn't latch onto a team then you're the idiot.

I have to know -- is there only one macho self-inflated vicariously-living-through-CCL-kid jerk on this thread, or are you multiple people?

I don't blame kids for going to a Development Academy club. There are few sure things in soccer, but a DA slot almost guarantees you a spot on a college team somewhere.

I DO blame a system that now leaves a deflated team in a league that has no promotion/relegation. And the proposed solution is that they should ALSO go shop around for other clubs? Suppose the parents don't have time to drive their kids all over Northern Virginia three times a week to practice somewhere other than their local clubs?

But it's OK. We want soccer to be a nice suburban sport for rich families who need to one-up each other by getting to "better" clubs. Their money and their au pairs will get them wherever they want.

And then the rest of us can laugh when these players inevitably get stomped by kids who grew up playing on dusty streets in Ghana or Honduras.

Soccer is not a money sport and likely never will be in the US. So if it's not a money sport, you either pay or you have such incredible talent that the little aid there is goes to you. Non-money sports are the place where talented, wealthy kids can go where they have an edge. The effect of the wealth of the family is significantly diminished in sports like football, baseball, and basketball. But in soccer, lacrosse, swimming, etc parents ability to pay for training and travel can really make a difference.