Travel Soccer teams around NOVA let's discuss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:so, how did everyone's tournament weekend go?

We were at the SCAA Tournament. From what I saw it was well run with no issues with spectators. Also saw some good soccer being played at the U11 and U12 age groups. Some really good talent at our local clubs. Teams that I was impressed by was Barca and Cougars. Really unexpected to see them play the way that they did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so, how did everyone's tournament weekend go?

I heard the Virginia Beach tournament was canceled, yes?

Battlefield seems to have lost a lot of teams.

We were at Battlefield U11B and, yes, a couple clubs dropped midweek. This caused a reshuffling of the brackets and some unfortunate scheduling. My son's team had an early game and an 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, so we had to drive out there twice. But at least NVSC got to put their A team in a lower bracket and stomped everyone. Nice job. Really.

NVSC put their A team in the second bracket to let the other clubs A teams play in their top bracket. They were being good hosts. The VA Beach tourney was canceled a few days before the tournament.

[Anonymous]

I saw a lot of independent teams on the boys side, DFC and VISTA teams didn't do badly. Was at the Battlefield tournament.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so, how did everyone's tournament weekend go?

I heard the Virginia Beach tournament was canceled, yes?

Battlefield seems to have lost a lot of teams.

We were at Battlefield U11B and, yes, a couple clubs dropped midweek. This caused a reshuffling of the brackets and some unfortunate scheduling. My son's team had an early game and an 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, so we had to drive out there twice. But at least NVSC got to put their A team in a lower bracket and stomped everyone. Nice job. Really.

NVSC put their A team in the second bracket to let the other clubs A teams play in their top bracket. They were being good hosts. The VA Beach tourney was canceled a few days before the tournament.

I'm going to throw the bullshit flag on that one. Not the first time they've done this. What's the point of an A team putting it on a C/D team 11-0? I understand that this happens in NCSL all the time until the divisions are tiered, but a tournament has a chance to get the balance of power right. Those kids would've been much better served by closer games in the top bracket, but then they may not have won a trophy. What club doesn't put their top team in the top bracket when they are the hosts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so, how did everyone's tournament weekend go?

I heard the Virginia Beach tournament was canceled, yes?

Battlefield seems to have lost a lot of teams.

We were at Battlefield U11B and, yes, a couple clubs dropped midweek. This caused a reshuffling of the brackets and some unfortunate scheduling. My son's team had an early game and an 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, so we had to drive out there twice. But at least NVSC got to put their A team in a lower bracket and stomped everyone. Nice job. Really.

We were in your age group. Yeah, I saw NVSC did that. What a shock. (Not.) Hope they're proud of the 16-0 score they posted.

And an 8:30 p.m. game is absurd, especially with teams dropping out.

The VSA VPL team was terrific. Not only are they all really fast, they have the skills to back it up. Great moves on the ball, solid passing, and everyone can shoot from everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so, how did everyone's tournament weekend go?

I heard the Virginia Beach tournament was canceled, yes?

Battlefield seems to have lost a lot of teams.

We were at Battlefield U11B and, yes, a couple clubs dropped midweek. This caused a reshuffling of the brackets and some unfortunate scheduling. My son's team had an early game and an 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, so we had to drive out there twice. But at least NVSC got to put their A team in a lower bracket and stomped everyone. Nice job. Really.

NVSC put their A team in the second bracket to let the other clubs A teams play in their top bracket. They were being good hosts. The VA Beach tourney was canceled a few days before the tournament.

Speaking as a parent on one of the top bracket's teams -- um, no.

And the brackets had already been drawn. The Virginia Beach tournament had no effect on anything -- Battlefield LOST teams from this age group. They didn't add any.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so, how did everyone's tournament weekend go?

We were at the SCAA Tournament. From what I saw it was well run with no issues with spectators. Also saw some good soccer being played at the U11 and U12 age groups. Some really good talent at our local clubs. Teams that I was impressed by was Barca and Cougars. Really unexpected to see them play the way that they did.

I've seen one of the Barca U11 teams. I like their approach. They're a smaller club, so they may be hit or miss in attracting talented players, but they have a nice emphasis on skill.

[Anonymous]

Speaking of being a good host, we were at SAC (Columbia) this weekend and saw some examples of how NOT to be a good host. Our team played against the host club in group play and SAC coach was screaming at the ref the entire game. It was to the point where I couldn't believe he wasn't sent off, or at least carded. Several parents were doing the same. It was a physical game, but the ref was calling it even and the SAC kids were giving as much as they were getting. WTF do these coaches and parents not understand about NOT ADDRESSING THE REFEREE during or after the match??? It was really bad form.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Speaking of being a good host, we were at SAC (Columbia) this weekend and saw some examples of how NOT to be a good host. Our team played against the host club in group play and SAC coach was screaming at the ref the entire game. It was to the point where I couldn't believe he wasn't sent off, or at least carded. Several parents were doing the same. It was a physical game, but the ref was calling it even and the SAC kids were giving as much as they were getting. WTF do these coaches and parents not understand about NOT ADDRESSING THE REFEREE during or after the match??? It was really bad form.

I noticed that too, and not just from the SAC folks...there were some of the yellingest coaches I have ever seen, both at refs, and micro-managing at players. Gives you headaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so, how did everyone's tournament weekend go?

I heard the Virginia Beach tournament was canceled, yes?

Battlefield seems to have lost a lot of teams.

We were at Battlefield U11B and, yes, a couple clubs dropped midweek. This caused a reshuffling of the brackets and some unfortunate scheduling. My son's team had an early game and an 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, so we had to drive out there twice. But at least NVSC got to put their A team in a lower bracket and stomped everyone. Nice job. Really.

NVSC put their A team in the second bracket to let the other clubs A teams play in their top bracket. They were being good hosts. The VA Beach tourney was canceled a few days before the tournament.

I'm going to throw the bullshit flag on that one. Not the first time they've done this. What's the point of an A team putting it on a C/D team 11-0? I understand that this happens in NCSL all the time until the divisions are tiered, but a tournament has a chance to get the balance of power right. Those kids would've been much better served by closer games in the top bracket, but then they may not have won a trophy. What club doesn't put their top team in the top bracket when they are the hosts?

They gave out medals... haven't seen any u little tournaments actually give out trophy's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Speaking of being a good host, we were at SAC (Columbia) this weekend and saw some examples of how NOT to be a good host. Our team played against the host club in group play and SAC coach was screaming at the ref the entire game. It was to the point where I couldn't believe he wasn't sent off, or at least carded. Several parents were doing the same. It was a physical game, but the ref was calling it even and the SAC kids were giving as much as they were getting. WTF do these coaches and parents not understand about NOT ADDRESSING THE REFEREE during or after the match??? It was really bad form.

This brings back memories. My son used to play against SAC teams in NCSL and tournaments, and they were by far the worst (excepting NY teams) we ever played against. The kids fouled every play and screamed if they got fouled, and the dads yelled at the referee and kids and parents on other teams. Some of those kids are on Baltimore Armour DA teams now, and for the most part the kids have learned how to act appropriately (though they never did learn many skills--still just rely on aggression and physical ability), and the dads are still yelling.

I always thought SAC put on nice tournaments though. Covenant Park is an awesome place to play.

[Anonymous]

We were at the SAC Tournament this weekend also. I was really disappointed. DD's team played at a Glenwood Middle School. The grass on the fields looked like it hadn't been cut in weeks - long and thick. And the rinky dink goals they put up were a joke. Coming from a place where most games and practices are on turf, it looked a mess.
Because of the tall grass, the players couldn't pass at all. They basically had to punt it across the field. And on Sunday, with the wind gusts, they couldn't even do that. I think the players were frustrated and the games turned really physical. It was ugly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were at the SAC Tournament this weekend also. I was really disappointed. DD's team played at a Glenwood Middle School. The grass on the fields looked like it hadn't been cut in weeks - long and thick. And the rinky dink goals they put up were a joke. Coming from a place where most games and practices are on turf, it looked a mess.
Because of the tall grass, the players couldn't pass at all. They basically had to punt it across the field. And on Sunday, with the wind gusts, they couldn't even do that. I think the players were frustrated and the games turned really physical. It was ugly.

That was DS's experience, too. Played at both Glenwood and Bushy. Fields were horrible, both from the standpoint of playability and safety. We felt fortunate to get out of there without any broken ankles or knee injuries. I know we get spoiled in NOVA with an abundance of quality fields, but it was really disappointing to have to deal with that for a fairly reputable Columbus Day tournament. I hadn't really thought about the fields contributing to the physical play, but that makes perfect sense.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone play EDP? Curious to get that perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone play EDP? Curious to get that perspective.

Yes, Do you have a specific question?