Why US Soccer should not grant Arlington older DA teams

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ECNL is a good league for girls, but they are a mixed quality league for boys with some really bad teams that lose 0-11 and it requires to travel long distances. Two Virginia teams that are in the boys ECNL have most of their games against teams from North and South Carolinas.

With added competition from DA on girls side locally ECNL could improve.

Here are some suggestions that apply to both girls and boys ECNL:

1. Change substitution rules for U14 and below. (DA now has less restrictive rules at younger ages.)
2. Limit travel for younger ages. (DA does not have national showcases for younger ages.) Limiting travel also limits cost!
3. Avoid scheduling games in winter in NOVA (Who wants to go to an outdoor game in Feb?)
4. Limit roster sizes. There should not be more than 18 full time players in a roster.

Amen on the roster sizes. I think it's highly inappropriate for youth rosters to have more than 18 and players to have to sit out each game. They already are competing to start, so the sense of competition is there, but you can't grow and develop if you don't play.

The older the team is the more sense it makes to roster 20 or 22. SATs, injuries, college visits, rest, homecoming and prom, player drops when (s)he decides no longer interested.

11 subs? No, thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ASA already has a field availability problem! (See other thread.)

Currently Arlington DA stops at U15 for both boys and girls. If they add older teams that will take even more fields away from other programs rec/ADP etc. Arlington DA assumes they will be granted older teams each year going forward. DA teams practice 4 times a week. They demand premium field space (not going to be satisfied sharing a field with 3 other teams).

Unless they get more lit turf fields, they should not get more DA teams.

At the older age groups Arlington DA players could try out for other DA programs (DC United/Washington Spirit etc.)

LOL sorry to break it to you but the non-DA red teams (03-00/01) are currently also receiving premium fields; however, they’re only practicing 3 days a week, not 4. I honestly think it would be a good thing for the club. They have been growing the girls side so much on the last 5 years and need something for the older girls.

[Anonymous]

It makes a lot of sense to have a more vs less DA12-15 because of the commuting times around DC. If my kid was the next Messi I am not driving him or her an hour each way for practice for DA. He or she can play another sport close to home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Plus you cutting lots and lots of Arlington players to the benefit of not Arlington players (da teams)

Ummm, Arlington is a soccer club based in a community, not a community based soccer club. It generally serves the geographic area of Arlington but being a Arlington resident is not a requirement of joining ASA.

Translation:

Ummm, that's OK.

I didn't hear any complaints when a team of mostly non-Arlington kids won ASA a national championship last summer.

All non-profit youth clubs pay fees to the localities that own the fields. They get preference over for-profit and other private groups when it comes to reserving field space, and they pay reduced rates, but they still pay. Usually the fees are based on the number of players using the field. I know Fairfax County charges clubs an extra fee per player for kids who live outside the county. Not sure if Arlington does the same.

Here's the point: ALL travel teams are going to take the best players who are willing to play for them, regardless of where they live. That is just how travel soccer works, and it's going to be the same whether the top team in an age group is called "DA", Red, or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Plus you cutting lots and lots of Arlington players to the benefit of not Arlington players (da teams)

Ummm, Arlington is a soccer club based in a community, not a community based soccer club. It generally serves the geographic area of Arlington but being a Arlington resident is not a requirement of joining ASA.

Translation:

Ummm, that's OK.

I didn't hear any complaints when a team of mostly non-Arlington kids won ASA a national championship last summer.

All non-profit youth clubs pay fees to the localities that own the fields. They get preference over for-profit and other private groups when it comes to reserving field space, and they pay reduced rates, but they still pay. Usually the fees are based on the number of players using the field. I know Fairfax County charges clubs an extra fee per player for kids who live outside the county. Not sure if Arlington does the same.

Here's the point: ALL travel teams are going to take the best players who are willing to play for them, regardless of where they live. That is just how travel soccer works, and it's going to be the same whether the top team in an age group is called "DA", Red, or whatever.

That entire team, including the coach, came from another club. Most Arlington kids were either moved down from the top team to B team or left the club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ASA already has a field availability problem! (See other thread.)

Currently Arlington DA stops at U15 for both boys and girls. If they add older teams that will take even more fields away from other programs rec/ADP etc. Arlington DA assumes they will be granted older teams each year going forward. DA teams practice 4 times a week. They demand premium field space (not going to be satisfied sharing a field with 3 other teams).

Unless they get more lit turf fields, they should not get more DA teams.

At the older age groups Arlington DA players could try out for other DA programs (DC United/Washington Spirit etc.)

LOL sorry to break it to you but the non-DA red teams (03-00/01) are currently also receiving premium fields; however, they’re only practicing 3 days a week, not 4. I honestly think it would be a good thing for the club. They have been growing the girls side so much on the last 5 years and need something for the older girls.

Yes, I think Arlington outgrew its old league. It's doing very well in the DA, better than some that started last year, so clearly the program fits in with the expectation of the league.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ASA already has a field availability problem! (See other thread.)

Currently Arlington DA stops at U15 for both boys and girls. If they add older teams that will take even more fields away from other programs rec/ADP etc. Arlington DA assumes they will be granted older teams each year going forward. DA teams practice 4 times a week. They demand premium field space (not going to be satisfied sharing a field with 3 other teams).

Unless they get more lit turf fields, they should not get more DA teams.

At the older age groups Arlington DA players could try out for other DA programs (DC United/Washington Spirit etc.)

LOL sorry to break it to you but the non-DA red teams (03-00/01) are currently also receiving premium fields; however, they’re only practicing 3 days a week, not 4. I honestly think it would be a good thing for the club. They have been growing the girls side so much on the last 5 years and need something for the older girls.

Yes, I think Arlington outgrew its old league. It's doing very well in the DA, better than some that started last year, so clearly the program fits in with the expectation of the league.

Hrmm. Its still early, but "very well" is generous just looking at the girls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ASA already has a field availability problem! (See other thread.)

Currently Arlington DA stops at U15 for both boys and girls. If they add older teams that will take even more fields away from other programs rec/ADP etc. Arlington DA assumes they will be granted older teams each year going forward. DA teams practice 4 times a week. They demand premium field space (not going to be satisfied sharing a field with 3 other teams).

Unless they get more lit turf fields, they should not get more DA teams.

At the older age groups Arlington DA players could try out for other DA programs (DC United/Washington Spirit etc.)

LOL sorry to break it to you but the non-DA red teams (03-00/01) are currently also receiving premium fields; however, they’re only practicing 3 days a week, not 4. I honestly think it would be a good thing for the club. They have been growing the girls side so much on the last 5 years and need something for the older girls.

Yes, I think Arlington outgrew its old league. It's doing very well in the DA, better than some that started last year, so clearly the program fits in with the expectation of the league.

Hrmm. Its still early, but "very well" is generous just looking at the girls.

I guess it depends on who you are comparing them to and what your expectations are. I say it's always fair to give teams and girls time to adjust to a different level of play. That being said, they play good soccer, have some wins - even big wins and what they didn't win was a close game. It's also important to note that they keep tighter rosters and some teams have faced injuries.

[Anonymous]

All non-profit youth clubs pay fees to the localities that own the fields. They get preference over for-profit and other private groups when it comes to reserving field space, and they pay reduced rates, but they still pay. Usually the fees are based on the number of players using the field. I know Fairfax County charges clubs an extra fee per player for kids who live outside the county. Not sure if Arlington does the same.

Yes, Arlington also charges a non-resident fee

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ASA already has a field availability problem! (See other thread.)

Currently Arlington DA stops at U15 for both boys and girls. If they add older teams that will take even more fields away from other programs rec/ADP etc. Arlington DA assumes they will be granted older teams each year going forward. DA teams practice 4 times a week. They demand premium field space (not going to be satisfied sharing a field with 3 other teams).

Unless they get more lit turf fields, they should not get more DA teams.

At the older age groups Arlington DA players could try out for other DA programs (DC United/Washington Spirit etc.)

LOL sorry to break it to you but the non-DA red teams (03-00/01) are currently also receiving premium fields; however, they’re only practicing 3 days a week, not 4. I honestly think it would be a good thing for the club. They have been growing the girls side so much on the last 5 years and need something for the older girls.

Yes, I think Arlington outgrew its old league. It's doing very well in the DA, better than some that started last year, so clearly the program fits in with the expectation of the league.

Yes, and the remaining CCL and CCL2 teams are still doing quite well after losing players or entire teams up to DA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ASA already has a field availability problem! (See other thread.)

Currently Arlington DA stops at U15 for both boys and girls. If they add older teams that will take even more fields away from other programs rec/ADP etc. Arlington DA assumes they will be granted older teams each year going forward. DA teams practice 4 times a week. They demand premium field space (not going to be satisfied sharing a field with 3 other teams).

Unless they get more lit turf fields, they should not get more DA teams.

At the older age groups Arlington DA players could try out for other DA programs (DC United/Washington Spirit etc.)

LOL sorry to break it to you but the non-DA red teams (03-00/01) are currently also receiving premium fields; however, they’re only practicing 3 days a week, not 4. I honestly think it would be a good thing for the club. They have been growing the girls side so much on the last 5 years and need something for the older girls.

Yes, I think Arlington outgrew its old league. It's doing very well in the DA, better than some that started last year, so clearly the program fits in with the expectation of the league.

Yes, and the remaining CCL and CCL2 teams are still doing quite well after losing players or entire teams up to DA.

Give it time. The CCl(girls) is turning into a third tier league. At the younger ages the power clubs are blowing the smaller clubs out(even the 2nd teams are winning by large margins). The big clubs are pulling their top teams to play in other leagues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ASA already has a field availability problem! (See other thread.)

Currently Arlington DA stops at U15 for both boys and girls. If they add older teams that will take even more fields away from other programs rec/ADP etc. Arlington DA assumes they will be granted older teams each year going forward. DA teams practice 4 times a week. They demand premium field space (not going to be satisfied sharing a field with 3 other teams).

Unless they get more lit turf fields, they should not get more DA teams.

At the older age groups Arlington DA players could try out for other DA programs (DC United/Washington Spirit etc.)

LOL sorry to break it to you but the non-DA red teams (03-00/01) are currently also receiving premium fields; however, they’re only practicing 3 days a week, not 4. I honestly think it would be a good thing for the club. They have been growing the girls side so much on the last 5 years and need something for the older girls.

Yes, I think Arlington outgrew its old league. It's doing very well in the DA, better than some that started last year, so clearly the program fits in with the expectation of the league.

Hrmm. Its still early, but "very well" is generous just looking at the girls.

I agree, saying that Arlington is doing "very well" is extremely generous. One the boys side, aside from U14s, Arlington DA teams lost more games than they won.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It makes a lot of sense to have a more vs less DA12-15 because of the commuting times around DC. If my kid was the next Messi I am not driving him or her an hour each way for practice for DA. He or she can play another sport close to home.

If your kid was the next Messi you would do what ever it took to ensure he got his opportunity. People do a lot more for kids who are not even 1/10th close to that level as long as it opens doors for their kid. Even a college scholarship. If you knew your kid was the next Messi you wouldn't sacrifice the hour drive for the $millions in the future? What ever. Kids in other countries have to take multiple transports for over an hour just to get to practice daily and some turn out only to be regular pros. Some nothing but even then probably better than your "Not Next Messi".

[Anonymous]

OP - Are you with VDA or Loudoun? Maybe Bethesda? Unless you are dealing with assigning fields, get a life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would be a smart move on US Soccer's part to funnel the Arlington girls to Spirit VA instead of granting Arlington the older DA age groups, like what happens with the younger boys DA teams funneling to DC United. Would help consolidate talent in the club affiliated with the pro team (which US Soccer funds, so self-help) and would help address the girl talent dispersion issue in the area. The Arlington people would hate that though. As would the Spirit VA people whose kids would be displaced by the talent coming from Arlington.

In time that may happen, but a few things need to happen first.

1. ECNL would need to be the clear cut second tier league.
2. NWSL would need to grow AND be profitable.

But for now, DA needs to grow before it can contract.

This comment doesn’t personally make any sense to me. Some of the current DA teams are really quite lousy. I’ve seen them play. I don’t see how expanding is going to make DA the more elite option. I think contracting and being highly selective would make more sense. Just my opinion!