FCV DA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s pretty crazy as we have already been told EDP was finalized for this team.

Ask coach Gus and FCV Admin (Cory Hanks) to put the statement about playing in EDP in writing. Ask them which EDP division they are registering for. Also, did you talk to Bobby about your kid being a PT player? Gus recommends players, but BP has to approve it. He’s the DA coach. Get that in writing too. If they won’t put it in writing that may provide an indication to you. I am not saying you shouldn’t go there but be sure to do your due diligence. What the team coach wants is one thing and what the club and other club coaches want is another.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok - Back to the poster that asked about Gus Donolo and the non-DA FCV team in the girls 05/06 age group.

This year there were two girls teams that played in '05 leagues but were composed of players born in '06 and '05. The "B" team played in NPL, while the "A" team played in EDP's South Atlantic National Conference Club v. Club division. This EDP team is a very competitive league

The current A team (EDP team) is losing all current players except for 4. 2 players quit during the season. 3 are going to play FCV DA; 6 are going to other clubs to play ECNL (note: 4 of these 6 were offered DA spots, but turned them down); 2 are going to other clubs to play non-DA / non-ECNL ball. Based on attendance at tryouts the 05/06 team will pick up 5 new girls for a total of 9. They will then also probably promote up the best of the B (NPL) team and have one team for the two age groups of 05/06 and cut the rest of the B team (deservedly, as the bottom of this particular B team really should not be paying to play travel soccer). They will likely play NPL (now called Regional ECNL) and not EDP, but that is tbd.

Gus is currently the director of the new DC United futsal academy, also runs the Puma Elite futsal academy, and runs his Soccer the Brazilian Way company. He also is an assistant coach for DA and for a couple of the FCV boys teams. He also provides individual training on the side. So, he is very, very, busy. This year he had a co-head coach and a parent volunteer coach to help him coach the 05/06 EDP and NPL teams. Both of those people will no longer be there next year as their daughters are moving to other clubs. Now that the club is under new ownership, it may be that they can provide additional coaching support for him.

StJ didn't buy Puma Elite, so is Gus simultaneously working for them and competing with them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s pretty crazy as we have already been told EDP was finalized for this team.

Ask coach Gus and FCV Admin (Cory Hanks) to put the statement about playing in EDP in writing. Ask them which EDP division they are registering for. Also, did you talk to Bobby about your kid being a PT player? Gus recommends players, but BP has to approve it. He’s the DA coach. Get that in writing too. If they won’t put it in writing that may provide an indication to you. I am not saying you shouldn’t go there but be sure to do your due diligence. What the team coach wants is one thing and what the club and other club coaches want is another.

Just curious, what factors go into the decision about what league the team plays for? Does FCV decide or do they need to be invited by the league, etc?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok - Back to the poster that asked about Gus Donolo and the non-DA FCV team in the girls 05/06 age group.

This year there were two girls teams that played in '05 leagues but were composed of players born in '06 and '05. The "B" team played in NPL, while the "A" team played in EDP's South Atlantic National Conference Club v. Club division. This EDP team is a very competitive league

The current A team (EDP team) is losing all current players except for 4. 2 players quit during the season. 3 are going to play FCV DA; 6 are going to other clubs to play ECNL (note: 4 of these 6 were offered DA spots, but turned them down); 2 are going to other clubs to play non-DA / non-ECNL ball. Based on attendance at tryouts the 05/06 team will pick up 5 new girls for a total of 9. They will then also probably promote up the best of the B (NPL) team and have one team for the two age groups of 05/06 and cut the rest of the B team (deservedly, as the bottom of this particular B team really should not be paying to play travel soccer). They will likely play NPL (now called Regional ECNL) and not EDP, but that is tbd.

Gus is currently the director of the new DC United futsal academy, also runs the Puma Elite futsal academy, and runs his Soccer the Brazilian Way company. He also is an assistant coach for DA and for a couple of the FCV boys teams. He also provides individual training on the side. So, he is very, very, busy. This year he had a co-head coach and a parent volunteer coach to help him coach the 05/06 EDP and NPL teams. Both of those people will no longer be there next year as their daughters are moving to other clubs. Now that the club is under new ownership, it may be that they can provide additional coaching support for him.

StJ didn't buy Puma Elite, so is Gus simultaneously working for them and competing with them?

Kinda, yeah

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s pretty crazy as we have already been told EDP was finalized for this team.

Ask coach Gus and FCV Admin (Cory Hanks) to put the statement about playing in EDP in writing. Ask them which EDP division they are registering for. Also, did you talk to Bobby about your kid being a PT player? Gus recommends players, but BP has to approve it. He’s the DA coach. Get that in writing too. If they won’t put it in writing that may provide an indication to you. I am not saying you shouldn’t go there but be sure to do your due diligence. What the team coach wants is one thing and what the club and other club coaches want is another.

Just curious, what factors go into the decision about what league the team plays for? Does FCV decide or do they need to be invited by the league, etc?

Both. They have to qualify, but they do already since team did well enough in that league the last two years. So, at this point it is up to FCV to decide. While EDP is a better league, the club has some ties to US Club which runs the NPL/VPL (now branded ECNL Regional), and many of their other teams play NPL/VPL so it might make sense from a coaching availability perspective due to the club v club nature of that league. I.e. they’d all be at the same field on a given weekend day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s pretty crazy as we have already been told EDP was finalized for this team.

Ask coach Gus and FCV Admin (Cory Hanks) to put the statement about playing in EDP in writing. Ask them which EDP division they are registering for. Also, did you talk to Bobby about your kid being a PT player? Gus recommends players, but BP has to approve it. He’s the DA coach. Get that in writing too. If they won’t put it in writing that may provide an indication to you. I am not saying you shouldn’t go there but be sure to do your due diligence. What the team coach wants is one thing and what the club and other club coaches want is another.

What does it matter if they put it in writing. First, They won't do it. And second, if they change their minds and do something else you'll just have to deal with it... they won't care about what you have in writing... its not a contract. You are 1 player and they don't care. I've been there so I know.

The fact that you don't trust what they are saying is really the bigger concern. They will change their minds 180 degrees, but do it with a smile and an explanation to placate you. So you have to go in with your eyes open if you decide to go there. Your choice, but you need to make it aware that things can change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s pretty crazy as we have already been told EDP was finalized for this team.

Ask coach Gus and FCV Admin (Cory Hanks) to put the statement about playing in EDP in writing. Ask them which EDP division they are registering for. Also, did you talk to Bobby about your kid being a PT player? Gus recommends players, but BP has to approve it. He’s the DA coach. Get that in writing too. If they won’t put it in writing that may provide an indication to you. I am not saying you shouldn’t go there but be sure to do your due diligence. What the team coach wants is one thing and what the club and other club coaches want is another.

What does it matter if they put it in writing. First, They won't do it. And second, if they change their minds and do something else you'll just have to deal with it... they won't care about what you have in writing... its not a contract. You are 1 player and they don't care. I've been there so I know.

The fact that you don't trust what they are saying is really the bigger concern. They will change their minds 180 degrees, but do it with a smile and an explanation to placate you. So you have to go in with your eyes open if you decide to go there. Your choice, but you need to make it aware that things can change.

Yes, obviously "things can change." That's a non-value added statement as it is an obvious possibility. Also, if you don't ask, they definitely won't do it. If they do put it in writing, there is an implied contract, plus it indicates how committed they are if they are willing to do so. Yes, it may not hold up if they don't do what they say and PP kid leaves and they try to get their money back, but it is an indicator. That's why I used that specific word. Anyhow, not worth arguing the point any further. The PP was provided advice in a couple ways, which he/she can take or leave.

[Anonymous]

Integrity is not a strong suit amongst FCV leadership. FCV is 2 years back in our rear view mirror and we are glad for it. Good training and plenty of wins at the DA level but oy, be careful. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Integrity is not a strong suit amongst FCV leadership. FCV is 2 years back in our rear view mirror and we are glad for it. Good training and plenty of wins at the DA level but oy, be careful. Good luck.

Well, in a year it will no longer be called FCV and there will likely be significant staff shakeups as the new owning group begins to flex their will.

FCV staff are not even at the top of the Soccer Operations org chart a the St James.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Integrity is not a strong suit amongst FCV leadership. FCV is 2 years back in our rear view mirror and we are glad for it. Good training and plenty of wins at the DA level but oy, be careful. Good luck.

Well, in a year it will no longer be called FCV and there will likely be significant staff shakeups as the new owning group begins to flex their will.

FCV staff are not even at the top of the Soccer Operations org chart a the St James.

True. Coaches fired by lesser clubs are.

[Anonymous]

Any one have any experience with FCV's pre da coaches? good? bad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any one have any experience with FCV's pre da coaches? good? bad?

The coaches are good for the most part. A couple coach both DA and non-DA. Gus and Marvin.

Some of the other coaches are very good as well, but don't mix in with DA. Who is your coach supposed to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any one have any experience with FCV's pre da coaches? good? bad?

The coaches are good for the most part. A couple coach both DA and non-DA. Gus and Marvin.

Some of the other coaches are very good as well, but don't mix in with DA. Who is your coach supposed to be.

If Gus is your coach, try to do some soccer or futsal training on the side with him. He won't yell at your DD as much if he is making good $$ from you. It will be a better experience. Win-win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any one have any experience with FCV's pre da coaches? good? bad?

The coaches are good for the most part. A couple coach both DA and non-DA. Gus and Marvin.

Some of the other coaches are very good as well, but don't mix in with DA. Who is your coach supposed to be.

If Gus is your coach, try to do some soccer or futsal training on the side with him. He won't yell at your DD as much if he is making good $$ from you. It will be a better experience. Win-win.

Hmmm, so pay him extra and he won’t yell at you and it will be a better experience. Geez.

[Anonymous]

Non-DA coaches seem to spend most of their time trying to be considered to be a DA Coach by Bobby instead of training and developing their Non-DA teams. Very frustrating as a parent of a Non-DA player.