Heard about hazing incident at DC United U15 Boys DA Team

[Anonymous]

Do DA players stay in rooms without parents on trips?

I found out as an adult that two girls on my youth soccer team were molested on out of state tournaments. I don't put my kids in away camps for this reason.

Look at the English Academy soccer scandal and all of those players coming forward, much like the C. Church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it was that bad, VYSA would have put a block on their cards and they wouldn’t be able to play anywhere.

and US Youth Soccer and the rest....

Of course, but don’t let facts like that get in the way of a good story.

OMG, just stop. You sound like an idiot. US Youth Soccer and its members (including VYSA, MYSA) have nothing to do with the DA. DA players are not carded by UYSA orgs.

This is all over the DA by now. Even those of us who aren't with DCU know other parents who are, and this has been confirmed by multiple sources. Ask anyone with a kid in the DA and they'll tell you the same thing. Apparently an email went out to the whole club when they found out. This is not a secret. And these are big name players they've kicked out. All 4 are starters, 2 have had YNT callups. But no one thinks the club had any other option but to kick them out. The abuse I've heard described is horrible. Not just verbal or "ribbing". You have to be beyond clueless to think that DC would kick players out of the club for something like that. What I've heard is 4 players ganging up on 1, pinning them down, and doing the sort of things that would land an adult in prison. Anyone who needs any more detail than that is just plain sick. Seriously sick.

That is a serious crime. That should be reported to Police.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it was that bad, VYSA would have put a block on their cards and they wouldn’t be able to play anywhere.

and US Youth Soccer and the rest....

Of course, but don’t let facts like that get in the way of a good story.

OMG, just stop. You sound like an idiot. US Youth Soccer and its members (including VYSA, MYSA) have nothing to do with the DA. DA players are not carded by UYSA orgs.

This is all over the DA by now. Even those of us who aren't with DCU know other parents who are, and this has been confirmed by multiple sources. Ask anyone with a kid in the DA and they'll tell you the same thing. Apparently an email went out to the whole club when they found out. This is not a secret. And these are big name players they've kicked out. All 4 are starters, 2 have had YNT callups. But no one thinks the club had any other option but to kick them out. The abuse I've heard described is horrible. Not just verbal or "ribbing". You have to be beyond clueless to think that DC would kick players out of the club for something like that. What I've heard is 4 players ganging up on 1, pinning them down, and doing the sort of things that would land an adult in prison. Anyone who needs any more detail than that is just plain sick. Seriously sick.

That is a serious crime. That should be reported to Police.

How in god's name can anyone be comfortable letting these players continue to play on teams? They need to be banned and they need to be reported.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it was that bad, VYSA would have put a block on their cards and they wouldn’t be able to play anywhere.

and US Youth Soccer and the rest....

Of course, but don’t let facts like that get in the way of a good story.

OMG, just stop. You sound like an idiot. US Youth Soccer and its members (including VYSA, MYSA) have nothing to do with the DA. DA players are not carded by UYSA orgs.

This is all over the DA by now. Even those of us who aren't with DCU know other parents who are, and this has been confirmed by multiple sources. Ask anyone with a kid in the DA and they'll tell you the same thing. Apparently an email went out to the whole club when they found out. This is not a secret. And these are big name players they've kicked out. All 4 are starters, 2 have had YNT callups. But no one thinks the club had any other option but to kick them out. The abuse I've heard described is horrible. Not just verbal or "ribbing". You have to be beyond clueless to think that DC would kick players out of the club for something like that. What I've heard is 4 players ganging up on 1, pinning them down, and doing the sort of things that would land an adult in prison. Anyone who needs any more detail than that is just plain sick. Seriously sick.

That is a serious crime. That should be reported to Police.

I would not let my child stay alone without a parent in a hotel. After hearing this, definitely not on a local DA team seeing that nothing serious happened to them AFTER finding out what they did and they are now on another DA team. WTF?!?!!! We won't have DC United. period. if they don't handle this properly.

[Anonymous]

LOL. What BS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it was that bad, VYSA would have put a block on their cards and they wouldn’t be able to play anywhere.

and US Youth Soccer and the rest....

Of course, but don’t let facts like that get in the way of a good story.

OMG, just stop. You sound like an idiot. US Youth Soccer and its members (including VYSA, MYSA) have nothing to do with the DA. DA players are not carded by UYSA orgs.

This is all over the DA by now. Even those of us who aren't with DCU know other parents who are, and this has been confirmed by multiple sources. Ask anyone with a kid in the DA and they'll tell you the same thing. Apparently an email went out to the whole club when they found out. This is not a secret. And these are big name players they've kicked out. All 4 are starters, 2 have had YNT callups. But no one thinks the club had any other option but to kick them out. The abuse I've heard described is horrible. Not just verbal or "ribbing". You have to be beyond clueless to think that DC would kick players out of the club for something like that. What I've heard is 4 players ganging up on 1, pinning them down, and doing the sort of things that would land an adult in prison. Anyone who needs any more detail than that is just plain sick. Seriously sick.

That is a serious crime. That should be reported to Police.

I would not let my child stay alone without a parent in a hotel. After hearing this, definitely not on a local DA team seeing that nothing serious happened to them AFTER finding out what they did and they are now on another DA team. WTF?!?!!! We won't have DC United. period. if they don't handle this properly.

There have been no credible allegations that the kids in question are now on another DA team. As a prior PP mentioned, if your kid is in any area DA, they likely know the names of the players involved so it's unlikely they could be easily added to local rosters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it was that bad, VYSA would have put a block on their cards and they wouldn’t be able to play anywhere.

and US Youth Soccer and the rest....

Of course, but don’t let facts like that get in the way of a good story.

OMG, just stop. You sound like an idiot. US Youth Soccer and its members (including VYSA, MYSA) have nothing to do with the DA. DA players are not carded by UYSA orgs.

This is all over the DA by now. Even those of us who aren't with DCU know other parents who are, and this has been confirmed by multiple sources. Ask anyone with a kid in the DA and they'll tell you the same thing. Apparently an email went out to the whole club when they found out. This is not a secret. And these are big name players they've kicked out. All 4 are starters, 2 have had YNT callups. But no one thinks the club had any other option but to kick them out. The abuse I've heard described is horrible. Not just verbal or "ribbing". You have to be beyond clueless to think that DC would kick players out of the club for something like that. What I've heard is 4 players ganging up on 1, pinning them down, and doing the sort of things that would land an adult in prison. Anyone who needs any more detail than that is just plain sick. Seriously sick.

That is a serious crime. That should be reported to Police.

I would not let my child stay alone without a parent in a hotel. After hearing this, definitely not on a local DA team seeing that nothing serious happened to them AFTER finding out what they did and they are now on another DA team. WTF?!?!!! We won't have DC United. period. if they don't handle this properly.

There have been no credible allegations that the kids in question are now on another DA team. As a prior PP mentioned, if your kid is in any area DA, they likely know the names of the players involved so it's unlikely they could be easily added to local rosters.

But they could be added to regular Club teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This did happen. 4 players were removed. No hazing, just horrific bullying. No coaches were aware and all was handled internally. Believe or not, it did happen. I think they handled this properly without media trying to make it a bigger deal than it already is. All parents seem to be satisfied with decision.

Fellow DCU parent here. I agree with all of that. I don't think the club was at fault at all, and when they found out they handled it appropriately, with the focus on ensuring the safety of the players moving forward.

What age group was affected?

Well all 4 players are at Arlington now! hahaha.

I hope this isn't true. What kind of a punishment or lesson is that?

I don't understand why a kid wouldn't get a second chance. Just because the kid screwed up at DCU, that should not mean the kid is out of soccer forever. When high schools expel kids, they get them a spot at another high school in the district. I'd rather have these kids with a second chance so they can get it right than hanging at the 7-11 and getting into worse issues.

I don't know what happened so this is all speculative. I would agree if there were some kind of suspension. Maybe the miss a season or at least part of one. Something to impress on them that there are consequences to their actions. Moving from one DA club seamlessly to the next does not seem like much of a punishment.

You're right you can only speculate what's fair since you don't know what happened. It was bad. Really bad. No criminal charges only because it was so far away.

I just keep thinking about the victims. I can't even begin to imagine how those kids managed to take the field and try to play after what they went through. They kept it secret for months, not even telling their parents.
This is the kind of trauma that will stay with them the rest of their lives. The kids that did this to them should not be allowed anywhere near them, never mind on the same soccer field.

If what you are insinuating is true (and I am just reading this, have no knowledge about any of it), the "no criminal charges because so far away" part is ridiculous. DCU should report what it learned to the local authorities and they will open an investigation. Happens all the time. If there was an assault, the perpetrators should and can be charged and have their day in court. If you are saying tat DCU is sitting on information that credibly suggests a physical assault, DCU's youth program should be disbanded and those responsible for not reporting should never pass a kids safe check again. No tolerance in this day and age for hiding the types of things that you suggest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This did happen. 4 players were removed. No hazing, just horrific bullying. No coaches were aware and all was handled internally. Believe or not, it did happen. I think they handled this properly without media trying to make it a bigger deal than it already is. All parents seem to be satisfied with decision.

Fellow DCU parent here. I agree with all of that. I don't think the club was at fault at all, and when they found out they handled it appropriately, with the focus on ensuring the safety of the players moving forward.

What age group was affected?

Well all 4 players are at Arlington now! hahaha.

I hope this isn't true. What kind of a punishment or lesson is that?

I don't understand why a kid wouldn't get a second chance. Just because the kid screwed up at DCU, that should not mean the kid is out of soccer forever. When high schools expel kids, they get them a spot at another high school in the district. I'd rather have these kids with a second chance so they can get it right than hanging at the 7-11 and getting into worse issues.

I don't know what happened so this is all speculative. I would agree if there were some kind of suspension. Maybe the miss a season or at least part of one. Something to impress on them that there are consequences to their actions. Moving from one DA club seamlessly to the next does not seem like much of a punishment.

You're right you can only speculate what's fair since you don't know what happened. It was bad. Really bad. No criminal charges only because it was so far away.

I just keep thinking about the victims. I can't even begin to imagine how those kids managed to take the field and try to play after what they went through. They kept it secret for months, not even telling their parents.
This is the kind of trauma that will stay with them the rest of their lives. The kids that did this to them should not be allowed anywhere near them, never mind on the same soccer field.

If what you are insinuating is true (and I am just reading this, have no knowledge about any of it), the "no criminal charges because so far away" part is ridiculous. DCU should report what it learned to the local authorities and they will open an investigation. Happens all the time. If there was an assault, the perpetrators should and can be charged and have their day in court. If you are saying tat DCU is sitting on information that credibly suggests a physical assault, DCU's youth program should be disbanded and those responsible for not reporting should never pass a kids safe check again. No tolerance in this day and age for hiding the types of things that you suggest.

+1,000. The mistake is sitting on that information. The longer they suppress it, the worse the outcome is going to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This did happen. 4 players were removed. No hazing, just horrific bullying. No coaches were aware and all was handled internally. Believe or not, it did happen. I think they handled this properly without media trying to make it a bigger deal than it already is. All parents seem to be satisfied with decision.

Fellow DCU parent here. I agree with all of that. I don't think the club was at fault at all, and when they found out they handled it appropriately, with the focus on ensuring the safety of the players moving forward.

What age group was affected?

Well all 4 players are at Arlington now! hahaha.

I hope this isn't true. What kind of a punishment or lesson is that?

I don't understand why a kid wouldn't get a second chance. Just because the kid screwed up at DCU, that should not mean the kid is out of soccer forever. When high schools expel kids, they get them a spot at another high school in the district. I'd rather have these kids with a second chance so they can get it right than hanging at the 7-11 and getting into worse issues.

I don't know what happened so this is all speculative. I would agree if there were some kind of suspension. Maybe the miss a season or at least part of one. Something to impress on them that there are consequences to their actions. Moving from one DA club seamlessly to the next does not seem like much of a punishment.

You're right you can only speculate what's fair since you don't know what happened. It was bad. Really bad. No criminal charges only because it was so far away.

I just keep thinking about the victims. I can't even begin to imagine how those kids managed to take the field and try to play after what they went through. They kept it secret for months, not even telling their parents.
This is the kind of trauma that will stay with them the rest of their lives. The kids that did this to them should not be allowed anywhere near them, never mind on the same soccer field.

If what you are insinuating is true (and I am just reading this, have no knowledge about any of it), the "no criminal charges because so far away" part is ridiculous. DCU should report what it learned to the local authorities and they will open an investigation. Happens all the time. If there was an assault, the perpetrators should and can be charged and have their day in court. If you are saying tat DCU is sitting on information that credibly suggests a physical assault, DCU's youth program should be disbanded and those responsible for not reporting should never pass a kids safe check again. No tolerance in this day and age for hiding the types of things that you suggest.

Wouldn't it be up to the victim(s) and family to press charges if they choose to do so? A PP mentioned that neither DCU nor the families found out about the conduct until long after it had occurred. It sounds like the only witnesses were the kids involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This did happen. 4 players were removed. No hazing, just horrific bullying. No coaches were aware and all was handled internally. Believe or not, it did happen. I think they handled this properly without media trying to make it a bigger deal than it already is. All parents seem to be satisfied with decision.

Fellow DCU parent here. I agree with all of that. I don't think the club was at fault at all, and when they found out they handled it appropriately, with the focus on ensuring the safety of the players moving forward.

What age group was affected?

Well all 4 players are at Arlington now! hahaha.

I hope this isn't true. What kind of a punishment or lesson is that?

I don't understand why a kid wouldn't get a second chance. Just because the kid screwed up at DCU, that should not mean the kid is out of soccer forever. When high schools expel kids, they get them a spot at another high school in the district. I'd rather have these kids with a second chance so they can get it right than hanging at the 7-11 and getting into worse issues.

I don't know what happened so this is all speculative. I would agree if there were some kind of suspension. Maybe the miss a season or at least part of one. Something to impress on them that there are consequences to their actions. Moving from one DA club seamlessly to the next does not seem like much of a punishment.

You're right you can only speculate what's fair since you don't know what happened. It was bad. Really bad. No criminal charges only because it was so far away.

I just keep thinking about the victims. I can't even begin to imagine how those kids managed to take the field and try to play after what they went through. They kept it secret for months, not even telling their parents.
This is the kind of trauma that will stay with them the rest of their lives. The kids that did this to them should not be allowed anywhere near them, never mind on the same soccer field.

If what you are insinuating is true (and I am just reading this, have no knowledge about any of it), the "no criminal charges because so far away" part is ridiculous. DCU should report what it learned to the local authorities and they will open an investigation. Happens all the time. If there was an assault, the perpetrators should and can be charged and have their day in court. If you are saying tat DCU is sitting on information that credibly suggests a physical assault, DCU's youth program should be disbanded and those responsible for not reporting should never pass a kids safe check again. No tolerance in this day and age for hiding the types of things that you suggest.

Wouldn't it be up to the victim(s) and family to press charges if they choose to do so? A PP mentioned that neither DCU nor the families found out about the conduct until long after it had occurred. It sounds like the only witnesses were the kids involved.

Probably because the victims don't want to be victimized any farther which often happens when this stuff is prosecuted. But, what's the alternative? Let them get away with it and then repeat the action with someone else?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This did happen. 4 players were removed. No hazing, just horrific bullying. No coaches were aware and all was handled internally. Believe or not, it did happen. I think they handled this properly without media trying to make it a bigger deal than it already is. All parents seem to be satisfied with decision.

Fellow DCU parent here. I agree with all of that. I don't think the club was at fault at all, and when they found out they handled it appropriately, with the focus on ensuring the safety of the players moving forward.

What age group was affected?

Well all 4 players are at Arlington now! hahaha.

I hope this isn't true. What kind of a punishment or lesson is that?

I don't understand why a kid wouldn't get a second chance. Just because the kid screwed up at DCU, that should not mean the kid is out of soccer forever. When high schools expel kids, they get them a spot at another high school in the district. I'd rather have these kids with a second chance so they can get it right than hanging at the 7-11 and getting into worse issues.

I don't know what happened so this is all speculative. I would agree if there were some kind of suspension. Maybe the miss a season or at least part of one. Something to impress on them that there are consequences to their actions. Moving from one DA club seamlessly to the next does not seem like much of a punishment.

You're right you can only speculate what's fair since you don't know what happened. It was bad. Really bad. No criminal charges only because it was so far away.

I just keep thinking about the victims. I can't even begin to imagine how those kids managed to take the field and try to play after what they went through. They kept it secret for months, not even telling their parents.
This is the kind of trauma that will stay with them the rest of their lives. The kids that did this to them should not be allowed anywhere near them, never mind on the same soccer field.

If what you are insinuating is true (and I am just reading this, have no knowledge about any of it), the "no criminal charges because so far away" part is ridiculous. DCU should report what it learned to the local authorities and they will open an investigation. Happens all the time. If there was an assault, the perpetrators should and can be charged and have their day in court. If you are saying tat DCU is sitting on information that credibly suggests a physical assault, DCU's youth program should be disbanded and those responsible for not reporting should never pass a kids safe check again. No tolerance in this day and age for hiding the types of things that you suggest.

Wouldn't it be up to the victim(s) and family to press charges if they choose to do so? A PP mentioned that neither DCU nor the families found out about the conduct until long after it had occurred. It sounds like the only witnesses were the kids involved.

Probably because the victims don't want to be victimized any farther which often happens when this stuff is prosecuted. But, what's the alternative? Let them get away with it and then repeat the action with someone else?

I don't know any of the kids in question, but I wonder how likely it is that they would repeat the actions (whatever they may be) with someone else. Often juvenile bullies do get away with their behavior with few, if any, consequences. Here, the kids have been kicked off of the top area soccer team, will no longer be called into YNT camps or training centers, and have destroyed their reputations in the local soccer community. I'm not sure exactly where they'll be able to go if they want to keep playing at a high level, but I imagine if they are able to continue playing they'll be much less likely to do anything that could bring them more problems.

[Anonymous]

Everyone is so focused on the bullies but it’s the victim that I’m most concerned with. He won’t be able to feel safe and comfortable on any soccer team again. Poor kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone is so focused on the bullies but it’s the victim that I’m most concerned with. He won’t be able to feel safe and comfortable on any soccer team again. Poor kid.

There is a high suicide rate with males subjected to this. Poor kid. His life is ruined, yet they are off the hook. That’s f@cked up

[Anonymous]

In my opinion, this thread has run its course. I think the OP's question has been answered, and any further speculation risks bringing unnecessary harm to the kids involved. I'm going to ask Jeff to delete it.