Arlington Travel Tryouts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any thoughts on whether the development/experience is better at McLean/Vienna travel U9 vs Arlington ADP?

development at McLean is better for younger age group. Most players at McLean ends up going to Arlington after U11/U12. I wouldn't mix Vienna into McLean/Arlington...

This isn’t necessarily true. To OP - are you looking at boys or girls?

[Anonymous]

OP here - looking at U9 boys.

Will look into PAC falls church.

[Anonymous]

I have found Arlington Soccer Association incredibly frustrating and disorganized during the tryout process. Keeping kids on waitlists for weeks without being able to give a clear yes or no is unfair to families trying to make decisions for the next season.
Is it really so difficult to count roster spots, finalize teams, and let the remaining players move on to other opportunities? Families are left waiting in limbo while other clubs are asking for commitments.
For an organization that presents itself as one of the top competitive soccer programs in the area, I honestly expected a much higher level of organization and communication.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have found Arlington Soccer Association incredibly frustrating and disorganized during the tryout process. Keeping kids on waitlists for weeks without being able to give a clear yes or no is unfair to families trying to make decisions for the next season.
Is it really so difficult to count roster spots, finalize teams, and let the remaining players move on to other opportunities? Families are left waiting in limbo while other clubs are asking for commitments.
For an organization that presents itself as one of the top competitive soccer programs in the area, I honestly expected a much higher level of organization and communication.

This is how it will be the whole time. Terrible communication and disorganized. People are with this club because it’s local. That’s it.

[Anonymous]

I’ll never understand the mindset of complaining about some 4th or 5th team waitlist if you have another offer and another place actually interested in your kid and your money. If the Joneses really give a hoot about what 5th level team your kid plays for, you need new Joneses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ll never understand the mindset of complaining about some 4th or 5th team waitlist if you have another offer and another place actually interested in your kid and your money. If the Joneses really give a hoot about what 5th level team your kid plays for, you need new Joneses.

First, the issue is not whether it is a “4th or 5th team.” Most families care less about the badge and more about logistics, timing, and making the best decision for their child.
Second, this is Arlington youth soccer, not Real Madrid. Keeping families waiting for weeks without clear communication is unnecessary and unprofessional.
Third, if you do not understand why families are frustrated, maybe avoid dismissing their concerns instead of mocking them online.
And finally, if you are one of the people involved in managing these waitlists, perhaps focus more on doing the job properly and less on reading comments about yourselves on message boards.

[Anonymous]

Say when the tryouts are.
Say when notifications will be sent out and say how long people will have to respond.
Explain the waitlist process and how that will play out. Give people a way to check on their place on the waitlist and understand likelihood of getting onto a team. This would involve contacting a human.
Send a final notice when teams are filled and say when that final notice will be sent out by.
Communicate what will happen if weather is a problem and what delays will be to stated timelines.

None of this is rocket science. They just don't give a crap and they get away with it.

[Anonymous]

Sadly, if people want to walk away from this program, there are many others willing to take their place. Having a captive audience means what passes as minimally acceptable is actually below such a bar to begin with as you point out.

Having said that - the communication, timeline, and general approach appears consistent with the past several years so parents should know that going into this process.

[Anonymous]

You are probably right that demand allows them to operate this way. But popularity should raise standards, not lower them. Families are not asking for miracles — just basic organization, communication, and respect for people’s time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are probably right that demand allows them to operate this way. But popularity should raise standards, not lower them. Families are not asking for miracles — just basic organization, communication, and respect for people’s time.

PP is right though. No need to improve when you have a fairly bottomless supply of players and a monopoly on the market. Most families, despite what you read on DCUM, are not shopping around or thinking about this all that much in terms of some path to greatness. They want to play in their local travel soccer club.

[Anonymous]

It sounds shortsighted to me. A strong reputation is built on many factors — not just the number of players waiting to join, but also communication, organization, professionalism, and how families are treated throughout the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds shortsighted to me. A strong reputation is built on many factors — not just the number of players waiting to join, but also communication, organization, professionalism, and how families are treated throughout the process.

No serious player/family gives a heck about how some 5th team u11 waitlist player was treated or communicated with. If you demand to pay 3-4k for glorified rec for whatever reasons you have, expect glorified rec process and treatment.

Or just take the hint and spend your money elsewhere. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds shortsighted to me. A strong reputation is built on many factors — not just the number of players waiting to join, but also communication, organization, professionalism, and how families are treated throughout the process.

No serious player/family gives a heck about how some 5th team u11 waitlist player was treated or communicated with. If you demand to pay 3-4k for glorified rec for whatever reasons you have, expect glorified rec process and treatment.

Do serious players/families care that the club admins more or less told PA1 parents who are concerned about 80% of the top team leaving for other clubs that they have plenty of players to fill those spots so it really doesn’t matter to them? Just know what you’re getting into if you join a team here. They do not care in the least about development or your child.

Or just take the hint and spend your money elsewhere. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds shortsighted to me. A strong reputation is built on many factors — not just the number of players waiting to join, but also communication, organization, professionalism, and how families are treated throughout the process.

No serious player/family gives a heck about how some 5th team u11 waitlist player was treated or communicated with. If you demand to pay 3-4k for glorified rec for whatever reasons you have, expect glorified rec process and treatment.

Or just take the hint and spend your money elsewhere. YMMV.

I think you are missing the point. This is youth soccer, not professional sports. Families are not asking for VIP treatment — just basic communication and respect during a process that involves time, money, schedules, and decisions for their children.
And honestly, how organizations treat the “5th team U11 player” says a lot about their overall culture. Strong programs are built not only on top teams, but also on how they treat every family in the system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds shortsighted to me. A strong reputation is built on many factors — not just the number of players waiting to join, but also communication, organization, professionalism, and how families are treated throughout the process.

No serious player/family gives a heck about how some 5th team u11 waitlist player was treated or communicated with. If you demand to pay 3-4k for glorified rec for whatever reasons you have, expect glorified rec process and treatment.

Do serious players/families care that the club admins more or less told PA1 parents who are concerned about 80% of the top team leaving for other clubs that they have plenty of players to fill those spots so it really doesn’t matter to them? Just know what you’re getting into if you join a team here. They do not care in the least about development or your child.

Or just take the hint and spend your money elsewhere. YMMV.

Most large clubs are the same in this area. Players move from club to club all the time, so plenty of players to fill the spots of those who leave.