Loudoun Soccer Just Robbed Parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These posts are ridiculous. Someone has a major inferiority complex with Loudoun soccer.

Truth hurts.

Whats the truth?

As a former Loudoun parent, I haven’t seen any untruths out of the basic complaints:

1. Loudoun took the money (there’s no credible argument otherwise)
2. Loudoun nepotism in their coaching staff
3. Loudoun prioritizes, promotes and elevates the players of well connected and family parents (I saw this up close)
4. The TD covers for it all with gaslighting

Those who have been there and witnessed it know. Those who benefit are here to cover. Loudoun is a club in the truest sense of the word. There are families who are members of the club, then there are others who pay to support the club and in return get a lower level environment for their kid to play in as a bone. That’s just the way it is there, so for those who want their kid to play at a higher level there, make sure you build or have an in there first.

As a parent who spent 6+ years with two kids playing travel soccer at LS, I have to say that I agree with almost all of what this person wrote. I can't speak for #4 above because I never dealt with the TD but everything else is spot on.

Yes, most people don’t deal directly with him, but he has a very big impact on the makeup of the travel teams from the very earliest ages. There are coaches at Loudoun who have family children playing on preferred teams. Friends of the staff have children on the top teams and there are also lots of children of parents in high local positions on the highest teams. It’s not impossible for a less connected kid to make an upper level team, but they have to be extraordinary, which is rare in this area. This is why their teams, outside of a scant few, underperform.

My family and have decided to pull our child out after this fall season. 2 more families are joining us from our team.

I know my neighbor, with child from opposite gender, is also leaving Loudoun. We experienced some of the above and we believe we don’t need to participate in any charlatan’s show in order for kids to enjoy and have fun.

Will I have serious problems obtaining my child’s player card? Some of the stories that have been shared here and shared to me via word of mouth aren’t very optimistic but I don’t see how they can hold it when season is over? We don’t pay in advance for this very reason.

So almost a month after I get an email saying they can’t release my child’s player card unless I pay the winter fees because it’s part of the 2020 portion of the season? I feel like I’m being conned here and I’m unsure how to go about it. One poster suggested reach out to VYSA but it’s been almost 10 days and no word back.

Has anyone been in this situation before? With Loudoun or another club? Any suggestions are highly welcomed. TIA!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These posts are ridiculous. Someone has a major inferiority complex with Loudoun soccer.

Truth hurts.

Whats the truth?

As a former Loudoun parent, I haven’t seen any untruths out of the basic complaints:

1. Loudoun took the money (there’s no credible argument otherwise)
2. Loudoun nepotism in their coaching staff
3. Loudoun prioritizes, promotes and elevates the players of well connected and family parents (I saw this up close)
4. The TD covers for it all with gaslighting

Those who have been there and witnessed it know. Those who benefit are here to cover. Loudoun is a club in the truest sense of the word. There are families who are members of the club, then there are others who pay to support the club and in return get a lower level environment for their kid to play in as a bone. That’s just the way it is there, so for those who want their kid to play at a higher level there, make sure you build or have an in there first.

As a parent who spent 6+ years with two kids playing travel soccer at LS, I have to say that I agree with almost all of what this person wrote. I can't speak for #4 above because I never dealt with the TD but everything else is spot on.

Yes, most people don’t deal directly with him, but he has a very big impact on the makeup of the travel teams from the very earliest ages. There are coaches at Loudoun who have family children playing on preferred teams. Friends of the staff have children on the top teams and there are also lots of children of parents in high local positions on the highest teams. It’s not impossible for a less connected kid to make an upper level team, but they have to be extraordinary, which is rare in this area. This is why their teams, outside of a scant few, underperform.

My family and have decided to pull our child out after this fall season. 2 more families are joining us from our team.

I know my neighbor, with child from opposite gender, is also leaving Loudoun. We experienced some of the above and we believe we don’t need to participate in any charlatan’s show in order for kids to enjoy and have fun.

Will I have serious problems obtaining my child’s player card? Some of the stories that have been shared here and shared to me via word of mouth aren’t very optimistic but I don’t see how they can hold it when season is over? We don’t pay in advance for this very reason.

So almost a month after I get an email saying they can’t release my child’s player card unless I pay the winter fees because it’s part of the 2020 portion of the season? I feel like I’m being conned here and I’m unsure how to go about it. One poster suggested reach out to VYSA but it’s been almost 10 days and no word back.

Has anyone been in this situation before? With Loudoun or another club? Any suggestions are highly welcomed. TIA!

Pretty standard policy at the VYSA level. https://www.vysa.com/Default.aspx?tabid=2519941
Also, pretty clear what Loudoun’s policy is. You should read more carefully. https://bsbproduction.s3.amazonaws.com/portals/28638/docs/travel/2020-21-ls%20financial%20policy%20x.pdf

If you can get the new club to pay all or a portion to what you agreed to pay Loudoun, then Loudoun will release you. They don’t care if your kid leaves they just want your payment which you agreed to. All the clubs require the same thing. Now, if you switch to a team that plays US Club vs VYSA, then no issue as the card system is totally separate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These posts are ridiculous. Someone has a major inferiority complex with Loudoun soccer.

Truth hurts.

Whats the truth?

As a former Loudoun parent, I haven’t seen any untruths out of the basic complaints:

1. Loudoun took the money (there’s no credible argument otherwise)
2. Loudoun nepotism in their coaching staff
3. Loudoun prioritizes, promotes and elevates the players of well connected and family parents (I saw this up close)
4. The TD covers for it all with gaslighting

Those who have been there and witnessed it know. Those who benefit are here to cover. Loudoun is a club in the truest sense of the word. There are families who are members of the club, then there are others who pay to support the club and in return get a lower level environment for their kid to play in as a bone. That’s just the way it is there, so for those who want their kid to play at a higher level there, make sure you build or have an in there first.

As a parent who spent 6+ years with two kids playing travel soccer at LS, I have to say that I agree with almost all of what this person wrote. I can't speak for #4 above because I never dealt with the TD but everything else is spot on.

Yes, most people don’t deal directly with him, but he has a very big impact on the makeup of the travel teams from the very earliest ages. There are coaches at Loudoun who have family children playing on preferred teams. Friends of the staff have children on the top teams and there are also lots of children of parents in high local positions on the highest teams. It’s not impossible for a less connected kid to make an upper level team, but they have to be extraordinary, which is rare in this area. This is why their teams, outside of a scant few, underperform.

My family and have decided to pull our child out after this fall season. 2 more families are joining us from our team.

I know my neighbor, with child from opposite gender, is also leaving Loudoun. We experienced some of the above and we believe we don’t need to participate in any charlatan’s show in order for kids to enjoy and have fun.

Will I have serious problems obtaining my child’s player card? Some of the stories that have been shared here and shared to me via word of mouth aren’t very optimistic but I don’t see how they can hold it when season is over? We don’t pay in advance for this very reason.

So almost a month after I get an email saying they can’t release my child’s player card unless I pay the winter fees because it’s part of the 2020 portion of the season? I feel like I’m being conned here and I’m unsure how to go about it. One poster suggested reach out to VYSA but it’s been almost 10 days and no word back.

Has anyone been in this situation before? With Loudoun or another club? Any suggestions are highly welcomed. TIA!

Pretty standard policy at the VYSA level. https://www.vysa.com/Default.aspx?tabid=2519941
Also, pretty clear what Loudoun’s policy is. You should read more carefully. https://bsbproduction.s3.amazonaws.com/portals/28638/docs/travel/2020-21-ls%20financial%20policy%20x.pdf

If you can get the new club to pay all or a portion to what you agreed to pay Loudoun, then Loudoun will release you. They don’t care if your kid leaves they just want your payment which you agreed to. All the clubs require the same thing. Now, if you switch to a team that plays US Club vs VYSA, then no issue as the card system is totally separate.

This is standard practice. Clubs need some level of roster certainty and don't allow midseason transfers, much like in the NCAA. VYSA will not help you here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These posts are ridiculous. Someone has a major inferiority complex with Loudoun soccer.

Truth hurts.

Whats the truth?

As a former Loudoun parent, I haven’t seen any untruths out of the basic complaints:

1. Loudoun took the money (there’s no credible argument otherwise)
2. Loudoun nepotism in their coaching staff
3. Loudoun prioritizes, promotes and elevates the players of well connected and family parents (I saw this up close)
4. The TD covers for it all with gaslighting

Those who have been there and witnessed it know. Those who benefit are here to cover. Loudoun is a club in the truest sense of the word. There are families who are members of the club, then there are others who pay to support the club and in return get a lower level environment for their kid to play in as a bone. That’s just the way it is there, so for those who want their kid to play at a higher level there, make sure you build or have an in there first.

As a parent who spent 6+ years with two kids playing travel soccer at LS, I have to say that I agree with almost all of what this person wrote. I can't speak for #4 above because I never dealt with the TD but everything else is spot on.

Yes, most people don’t deal directly with him, but he has a very big impact on the makeup of the travel teams from the very earliest ages. There are coaches at Loudoun who have family children playing on preferred teams. Friends of the staff have children on the top teams and there are also lots of children of parents in high local positions on the highest teams. It’s not impossible for a less connected kid to make an upper level team, but they have to be extraordinary, which is rare in this area. This is why their teams, outside of a scant few, underperform.

My family and have decided to pull our child out after this fall season. 2 more families are joining us from our team.

I know my neighbor, with child from opposite gender, is also leaving Loudoun. We experienced some of the above and we believe we don’t need to participate in any charlatan’s show in order for kids to enjoy and have fun.

Will I have serious problems obtaining my child’s player card? Some of the stories that have been shared here and shared to me via word of mouth aren’t very optimistic but I don’t see how they can hold it when season is over? We don’t pay in advance for this very reason.

So almost a month after I get an email saying they can’t release my child’s player card unless I pay the winter fees because it’s part of the 2020 portion of the season? I feel like I’m being conned here and I’m unsure how to go about it. One poster suggested reach out to VYSA but it’s been almost 10 days and no word back.

Has anyone been in this situation before? With Loudoun or another club? Any suggestions are highly welcomed. TIA!

There are 3 seasons in a year. Fall winter spring

You only paid and participated in fall. You’re being robbed by Loudoun. Not sure why you’re surprised?
The folks defending the criminal activity are simpletons with vested interests or staffers. Nothing justifies stealing and lying. Let alone in youth sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These posts are ridiculous. Someone has a major inferiority complex with Loudoun soccer.

Truth hurts.

Whats the truth?

As a former Loudoun parent, I haven’t seen any untruths out of the basic complaints:

1. Loudoun took the money (there’s no credible argument otherwise)
2. Loudoun nepotism in their coaching staff
3. Loudoun prioritizes, promotes and elevates the players of well connected and family parents (I saw this up close)
4. The TD covers for it all with gaslighting

Those who have been there and witnessed it know. Those who benefit are here to cover. Loudoun is a club in the truest sense of the word. There are families who are members of the club, then there are others who pay to support the club and in return get a lower level environment for their kid to play in as a bone. That’s just the way it is there, so for those who want their kid to play at a higher level there, make sure you build or have an in there first.

As a parent who spent 6+ years with two kids playing travel soccer at LS, I have to say that I agree with almost all of what this person wrote. I can't speak for #4 above because I never dealt with the TD but everything else is spot on.

Yes, most people don’t deal directly with him, but he has a very big impact on the makeup of the travel teams from the very earliest ages. There are coaches at Loudoun who have family children playing on preferred teams. Friends of the staff have children on the top teams and there are also lots of children of parents in high local positions on the highest teams. It’s not impossible for a less connected kid to make an upper level team, but they have to be extraordinary, which is rare in this area. This is why their teams, outside of a scant few, underperform.

My family and have decided to pull our child out after this fall season. 2 more families are joining us from our team.

I know my neighbor, with child from opposite gender, is also leaving Loudoun. We experienced some of the above and we believe we don’t need to participate in any charlatan’s show in order for kids to enjoy and have fun.

Will I have serious problems obtaining my child’s player card? Some of the stories that have been shared here and shared to me via word of mouth aren’t very optimistic but I don’t see how they can hold it when season is over? We don’t pay in advance for this very reason.

So almost a month after I get an email saying they can’t release my child’s player card unless I pay the winter fees because it’s part of the 2020 portion of the season? I feel like I’m being conned here and I’m unsure how to go about it. One poster suggested reach out to VYSA but it’s been almost 10 days and no word back.

Has anyone been in this situation before? With Loudoun or another club? Any suggestions are highly welcomed. TIA!

There are 3 seasons in a year. Fall winter spring

You only paid and participated in fall. You’re being robbed by Loudoun. Not sure why you’re surprised?
The folks defending the criminal activity are simpletons with vested interests or staffers. Nothing justifies stealing and lying. Let alone in youth sports.

It is not stealing. It is written policy. Read it first before signing and paying. You may not like it, but it is standard practice amongst most clubs. Loudoun is no better or worse. If you want to complain, then complain about VYSA, US Soccer, and US Club Soccer. It is their policies that allow this to happen. FCV is the same too (yes, we know who you’re affiliated with PP). And no, I don’t work for Loudoun. I’ve just had kids play at many clubs (FCV, Loudoun, as well as others) and they are all the same.

[Anonymous]

It’s interesting that with all this BS the kids get screwed. I’d reach out to the Loudon Soccer Board of Directors as well as VYSA. Setting up a system were people have to effectively pay to get their card is concerning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s interesting that with all this BS the kids get screwed. I’d reach out to the Loudon Soccer Board of Directors as well as VYSA. Setting up a system were people have to effectively pay to get their card is concerning.

Yes I agree that this appears to give the club an unfair degree of leverage in negotiations with a dissatisfied customer.

[Anonymous]

I recommend skipping travel soccer altogether in the future if the money lost is this big of a deal. Travel soccer is not cheap. Not worth this amount of stress is it? And don't go down the equestrian, gymnastics or volleyball route, they are more expensive. Try softball or swimming.

[Anonymous]

Loudoun Soccer is a nicely run organization. But do the players really get anything out of the virtual training sessions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s interesting that with all this BS the kids get screwed. I’d reach out to the Loudon Soccer Board of Directors as well as VYSA. Setting up a system were people have to effectively pay to get their card is concerning.

Yes I agree that this appears to give the club an unfair degree of leverage in negotiations with a dissatisfied customer.

It’s called a duopoly and it’s what VYSA and US Club soccer have in Virginia. They collude with the clubs to set these policies. Like the other poster said, it is what it is and if you don’t like it then don’t play travel.

[Anonymous]

i don't understand the confusion here. the family signed a one season agreement with a club to play travel soccer. a soccer season starts late summer/fall and ends late spring. whoever said soccer consists of separate fall, winter, and travel seasons has zero idea how travel soccer works, or is most likely a troll with a vested interest in fcv or var. can tom brady walk away from tampa bay midseason because he feels like it? can trevor lawrence transfer to notre dame next week because they have a better political science program? can you terminate your fios bill whenver you want? of course not, that is literally why contracts exist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:...or is most likely a troll with a vested interest in fcv or var.

What's var?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i don't understand the confusion here. the family signed a one season agreement with a club to play travel soccer. a soccer season starts late summer/fall and ends late spring. whoever said soccer consists of separate fall, winter, and travel seasons has zero idea how travel soccer works, or is most likely a troll with a vested interest in fcv or var. can tom brady walk away from tampa bay midseason because he feels like it? can trevor lawrence transfer to notre dame next week because they have a better political science program? can you terminate your fios bill whenver you want? of course not, that is literally why contracts exist.

I don't think there's any confusion. It's just that the customer is not happy with the product they have received which they believe is not what they were sold. Under such circumstances it is entirely reasonable to withhold further payment and investigate a different supplier. And with any other product this is what would happen. If the club felt that they had delivered as promised then they could go to court to seek to enforce their contract - because that's the mechanism we have for enforcing contracts in our society. The player card mechanism which prevents the customer from purchasing a product from a competitor appears to me to violate anti-trust law - although I'm not a lawyer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i don't understand the confusion here. the family signed a one season agreement with a club to play travel soccer. a soccer season starts late summer/fall and ends late spring. whoever said soccer consists of separate fall, winter, and travel seasons has zero idea how travel soccer works, or is most likely a troll with a vested interest in fcv or var. can tom brady walk away from tampa bay midseason because he feels like it? can trevor lawrence transfer to notre dame next week because they have a better political science program? can you terminate your fios bill whenver you want? of course not, that is literally why contracts exist.

I don't think there's any confusion. It's just that the customer is not happy with the product they have received which they believe is not what they were sold. Under such circumstances it is entirely reasonable to withhold further payment and investigate a different supplier. And with any other product this is what would happen. If the club felt that they had delivered as promised then they could go to court to seek to enforce their contract - because that's the mechanism we have for enforcing contracts in our society. The player card mechanism which prevents the customer from purchasing a product from a competitor appears to me to violate anti-trust law - although I'm not a lawyer.

The club is not seeking injunctive relief but rather the parent. So the onus would be on the parent as plaintiff to file in court.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i don't understand the confusion here. the family signed a one season agreement with a club to play travel soccer. a soccer season starts late summer/fall and ends late spring. whoever said soccer consists of separate fall, winter, and travel seasons has zero idea how travel soccer works, or is most likely a troll with a vested interest in fcv or var. can tom brady walk away from tampa bay midseason because he feels like it? can trevor lawrence transfer to notre dame next week because they have a better political science program? can you terminate your fios bill whenver you want? of course not, that is literally why contracts exist.

I don't think there's any confusion. It's just that the customer is not happy with the product they have received which they believe is not what they were sold. Under such circumstances it is entirely reasonable to withhold further payment and investigate a different supplier. And with any other product this is what would happen. If the club felt that they had delivered as promised then they could go to court to seek to enforce their contract - because that's the mechanism we have for enforcing contracts in our society. The player card mechanism which prevents the customer from purchasing a product from a competitor appears to me to violate anti-trust law - although I'm not a lawyer.

The club is not seeking injunctive relief but rather the parent. So the onus would be on the parent as plaintiff to file in court.

Well yes. But it's only that way around because of the player card issue. Without the player card the club would have to go to court and seek relief from the paernt and prove that the money is owed. But the player card turns that on its head because it acts as a mechanism to prevent the player from purchasing from any other club - which definitely looks like illegal collusion between clubs to me.