Great Falls Reston Soccer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So tryouts have started and we got no announcement on any new alliances or pathways from PA.

And I know the "super enthusiastic" GFR mom will chime in as she always does with defense of "pathways being a gimmick" or "its only a local club" or blah blah blah whatever tows the company line.

But like Biggie said, "It was all a dream..." or maybe just a lie.

What are you even upset about? You could only be this upset if you were betting all your chips on a GFR pathway by this season (which literally no one else is doing), but if your DC is that good, just go try out at any of the neighboring ECNL or GA clubs.

It's sad that you are so bitter and sourfaced while everyone else just moves on.

The company cheerleader mom is back! If it's not a big deal then why make it a big deal at the last meeting where nearly everyone there were asking about it?

No one made a big deal about it. It wasn’t in the presentation. She was asked about it in Q&A and did her best to answer honestly while acknowledging the uncertainty about timing. She never guaranteed it would happen by a particular time nor would anyone reasonable expect something this complicated to be locked down within three months of her taking over.

If you think your DC is good enough and old enough that a pathway to a national league actually matters, much less by this year, there have been tryouts and ID sessions for several local NL and GA/MLSN teams this spring already and if it didn’t happen there it wouldn’t matter for you if there were a pathway announcement this March or not.

It has nothing to do with my DC. People are calling these lies out for the good of the club. Pathway for a club is more than just access to a national pathway, it is about giving the club some legitimacy. GFR is turning into Sterling Soccer, Villareal or Mt. Vernon. Oh wait 2 out of 3 of those clubs actually have a national pathway because they know that it's about more than simply access to a pathway. It's about growth and legitimacy for the club. But keep on spouting your lies coach, board member or whoever you are cheerleader. Your next move will be to get these posts deleted again, right?

This just proves your focus on a pathway is misguided. Two out of those three clubs “actually have a national pathway” but it hasn’t done anything for their growth or legitimacy. I’d much rather be at a club like GFR that tops out at RL without a pathway but takes development seriously and where most of the RL teams are very competitive both in their division and against some “national level” teams at tournaments.

If my DC wants to play in a “national level” league and is good enough to do so, I know perfectly well how to get that done. I don’t need some sham arrangement through the club holding my hand. Hell, on the girls side at least a good chunk of the girls on the RL teams could probably make one of the many NoVa GA teams if that’s what they wanted. And if it has nothing to do with your DC, why’s it so important to you? Bragging rights about your club? Let your kid go play soccer and stop trying to live vicariously through them.

How cute! You think making an ECNL team is based purely on merit and no politics? Wake up and smell the coffee. Arlington is full of Arlington RL kids, VDA full of VSA/PWSI RL feeders. GFR not having a pathway is absolutely a roadblock for many players.

What are you trying to accomplish here? You are arguing in absolutes ("absolutely" a roadblock). National league teams can have kids based on merit AND kids based on politics. Every national league team around here has kids from outside of their club or pathway. Take a look at all the U13 National league teams around here that just formed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So tryouts have started and we got no announcement on any new alliances or pathways from PA.

And I know the "super enthusiastic" GFR mom will chime in as she always does with defense of "pathways being a gimmick" or "its only a local club" or blah blah blah whatever tows the company line.

But like Biggie said, "It was all a dream..." or maybe just a lie.

What are you even upset about? You could only be this upset if you were betting all your chips on a GFR pathway by this season (which literally no one else is doing), but if your DC is that good, just go try out at any of the neighboring ECNL or GA clubs.

It's sad that you are so bitter and sourfaced while everyone else just moves on.

The company cheerleader mom is back! If it's not a big deal then why make it a big deal at the last meeting where nearly everyone there were asking about it?

No one made a big deal about it. It wasn’t in the presentation. She was asked about it in Q&A and did her best to answer honestly while acknowledging the uncertainty about timing. She never guaranteed it would happen by a particular time nor would anyone reasonable expect something this complicated to be locked down within three months of her taking over.

If you think your DC is good enough and old enough that a pathway to a national league actually matters, much less by this year, there have been tryouts and ID sessions for several local NL and GA/MLSN teams this spring already and if it didn’t happen there it wouldn’t matter for you if there were a pathway announcement this March or not.

It has nothing to do with my DC. People are calling these lies out for the good of the club. Pathway for a club is more than just access to a national pathway, it is about giving the club some legitimacy. GFR is turning into Sterling Soccer, Villareal or Mt. Vernon. Oh wait 2 out of 3 of those clubs actually have a national pathway because they know that it's about more than simply access to a pathway. It's about growth and legitimacy for the club. But keep on spouting your lies coach, board member or whoever you are cheerleader. Your next move will be to get these posts deleted again, right?

This just proves your focus on a pathway is misguided. Two out of those three clubs “actually have a national pathway” but it hasn’t done anything for their growth or legitimacy. I’d much rather be at a club like GFR that tops out at RL without a pathway but takes development seriously and where most of the RL teams are very competitive both in their division and against some “national level” teams at tournaments.

If my DC wants to play in a “national level” league and is good enough to do so, I know perfectly well how to get that done. I don’t need some sham arrangement through the club holding my hand. Hell, on the girls side at least a good chunk of the girls on the RL teams could probably make one of the many NoVa GA teams if that’s what they wanted. And if it has nothing to do with your DC, why’s it so important to you? Bragging rights about your club? Let your kid go play soccer and stop trying to live vicariously through them.

How cute! You think making an ECNL team is based purely on merit and no politics? Wake up and smell the coffee. Arlington is full of Arlington RL kids, VDA full of VSA/PWSI RL feeders. GFR not having a pathway is absolutely a roadblock for many players.

What are you trying to accomplish here? You are arguing in absolutes ("absolutely" a roadblock). National league teams can have kids based on merit AND kids based on politics. Every national league team around here has kids from outside of their club or pathway. Take a look at all the U13 National league teams around here that just formed.

Rant and repeat Karen at it again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So tryouts have started and we got no announcement on any new alliances or pathways from PA.

And I know the "super enthusiastic" GFR mom will chime in as she always does with defense of "pathways being a gimmick" or "its only a local club" or blah blah blah whatever tows the company line.

But like Biggie said, "It was all a dream..." or maybe just a lie.

What are you even upset about? You could only be this upset if you were betting all your chips on a GFR pathway by this season (which literally no one else is doing), but if your DC is that good, just go try out at any of the neighboring ECNL or GA clubs.

It's sad that you are so bitter and sourfaced while everyone else just moves on.

The company cheerleader mom is back! If it's not a big deal then why make it a big deal at the last meeting where nearly everyone there were asking about it?

No one made a big deal about it. It wasn’t in the presentation. She was asked about it in Q&A and did her best to answer honestly while acknowledging the uncertainty about timing. She never guaranteed it would happen by a particular time nor would anyone reasonable expect something this complicated to be locked down within three months of her taking over.

If you think your DC is good enough and old enough that a pathway to a national league actually matters, much less by this year, there have been tryouts and ID sessions for several local NL and GA/MLSN teams this spring already and if it didn’t happen there it wouldn’t matter for you if there were a pathway announcement this March or not.

It has nothing to do with my DC. People are calling these lies out for the good of the club. Pathway for a club is more than just access to a national pathway, it is about giving the club some legitimacy. GFR is turning into Sterling Soccer, Villareal or Mt. Vernon. Oh wait 2 out of 3 of those clubs actually have a national pathway because they know that it's about more than simply access to a pathway. It's about growth and legitimacy for the club. But keep on spouting your lies coach, board member or whoever you are cheerleader. Your next move will be to get these posts deleted again, right?

This just proves your focus on a pathway is misguided. Two out of those three clubs “actually have a national pathway” but it hasn’t done anything for their growth or legitimacy. I’d much rather be at a club like GFR that tops out at RL without a pathway but takes development seriously and where most of the RL teams are very competitive both in their division and against some “national level” teams at tournaments.

If my DC wants to play in a “national level” league and is good enough to do so, I know perfectly well how to get that done. I don’t need some sham arrangement through the club holding my hand. Hell, on the girls side at least a good chunk of the girls on the RL teams could probably make one of the many NoVa GA teams if that’s what they wanted. And if it has nothing to do with your DC, why’s it so important to you? Bragging rights about your club? Let your kid go play soccer and stop trying to live vicariously through them.

How cute! You think making an ECNL team is based purely on merit and no politics? Wake up and smell the coffee. Arlington is full of Arlington RL kids, VDA full of VSA/PWSI RL feeders. GFR not having a pathway is absolutely a roadblock for many players.

How cute! You think having a “pathway” means kids in these ancillary clubs actually have a leg up at tryouts? Let me know how many slots Sterling, Herndon, Villareal, and Mt Vernon have guaranteed at FVU? Funny, I hear the new U13G team has Loudoun, McLean, NVA. But haven’t heard that any girls from these “pathway” clubs made. Do tell!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So tryouts have started and we got no announcement on any new alliances or pathways from PA.

And I know the "super enthusiastic" GFR mom will chime in as she always does with defense of "pathways being a gimmick" or "its only a local club" or blah blah blah whatever tows the company line.

But like Biggie said, "It was all a dream..." or maybe just a lie.

What are you even upset about? You could only be this upset if you were betting all your chips on a GFR pathway by this season (which literally no one else is doing), but if your DC is that good, just go try out at any of the neighboring ECNL or GA clubs.

It's sad that you are so bitter and sourfaced while everyone else just moves on.

The company cheerleader mom is back! If it's not a big deal then why make it a big deal at the last meeting where nearly everyone there were asking about it?

No one made a big deal about it. It wasn’t in the presentation. She was asked about it in Q&A and did her best to answer honestly while acknowledging the uncertainty about timing. She never guaranteed it would happen by a particular time nor would anyone reasonable expect something this complicated to be locked down within three months of her taking over.

If you think your DC is good enough and old enough that a pathway to a national league actually matters, much less by this year, there have been tryouts and ID sessions for several local NL and GA/MLSN teams this spring already and if it didn’t happen there it wouldn’t matter for you if there were a pathway announcement this March or not.

It has nothing to do with my DC. People are calling these lies out for the good of the club. Pathway for a club is more than just access to a national pathway, it is about giving the club some legitimacy. GFR is turning into Sterling Soccer, Villareal or Mt. Vernon. Oh wait 2 out of 3 of those clubs actually have a national pathway because they know that it's about more than simply access to a pathway. It's about growth and legitimacy for the club. But keep on spouting your lies coach, board member or whoever you are cheerleader. Your next move will be to get these posts deleted again, right?

This just proves your focus on a pathway is misguided. Two out of those three clubs “actually have a national pathway” but it hasn’t done anything for their growth or legitimacy. I’d much rather be at a club like GFR that tops out at RL without a pathway but takes development seriously and where most of the RL teams are very competitive both in their division and against some “national level” teams at tournaments.

If my DC wants to play in a “national level” league and is good enough to do so, I know perfectly well how to get that done. I don’t need some sham arrangement through the club holding my hand. Hell, on the girls side at least a good chunk of the girls on the RL teams could probably make one of the many NoVa GA teams if that’s what they wanted. And if it has nothing to do with your DC, why’s it so important to you? Bragging rights about your club? Let your kid go play soccer and stop trying to live vicariously through them.

How cute! You think making an ECNL team is based purely on merit and no politics? Wake up and smell the coffee. Arlington is full of Arlington RL kids, VDA full of VSA/PWSI RL feeders. GFR not having a pathway is absolutely a roadblock for many players.

What are you trying to accomplish here? You are arguing in absolutes ("absolutely" a roadblock). National league teams can have kids based on merit AND kids based on politics. Every national league team around here has kids from outside of their club or pathway. Take a look at all the U13 National league teams around here that just formed.

I said it was absolutely a roadblock for “many” players. There are probably only a handful of real standout kids in each age group that can walk in cold to a tryout and make an ECNL team. “Most” players need to be vouched for, need to be “seen” under the right circumstances. I am not trying to accomplish anything but simply noting that having a pathway is a huge advantage to the club and to state otherwise is utter nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So tryouts have started and we got no announcement on any new alliances or pathways from PA.

And I know the "super enthusiastic" GFR mom will chime in as she always does with defense of "pathways being a gimmick" or "its only a local club" or blah blah blah whatever tows the company line.

But like Biggie said, "It was all a dream..." or maybe just a lie.

What are you even upset about? You could only be this upset if you were betting all your chips on a GFR pathway by this season (which literally no one else is doing), but if your DC is that good, just go try out at any of the neighboring ECNL or GA clubs.

It's sad that you are so bitter and sourfaced while everyone else just moves on.

The company cheerleader mom is back! If it's not a big deal then why make it a big deal at the last meeting where nearly everyone there were asking about it?

No one made a big deal about it. It wasn’t in the presentation. She was asked about it in Q&A and did her best to answer honestly while acknowledging the uncertainty about timing. She never guaranteed it would happen by a particular time nor would anyone reasonable expect something this complicated to be locked down within three months of her taking over.

If you think your DC is good enough and old enough that a pathway to a national league actually matters, much less by this year, there have been tryouts and ID sessions for several local NL and GA/MLSN teams this spring already and if it didn’t happen there it wouldn’t matter for you if there were a pathway announcement this March or not.

It has nothing to do with my DC. People are calling these lies out for the good of the club. Pathway for a club is more than just access to a national pathway, it is about giving the club some legitimacy. GFR is turning into Sterling Soccer, Villareal or Mt. Vernon. Oh wait 2 out of 3 of those clubs actually have a national pathway because they know that it's about more than simply access to a pathway. It's about growth and legitimacy for the club. But keep on spouting your lies coach, board member or whoever you are cheerleader. Your next move will be to get these posts deleted again, right?

This just proves your focus on a pathway is misguided. Two out of those three clubs “actually have a national pathway” but it hasn’t done anything for their growth or legitimacy. I’d much rather be at a club like GFR that tops out at RL without a pathway but takes development seriously and where most of the RL teams are very competitive both in their division and against some “national level” teams at tournaments.

If my DC wants to play in a “national level” league and is good enough to do so, I know perfectly well how to get that done. I don’t need some sham arrangement through the club holding my hand. Hell, on the girls side at least a good chunk of the girls on the RL teams could probably make one of the many NoVa GA teams if that’s what they wanted. And if it has nothing to do with your DC, why’s it so important to you? Bragging rights about your club? Let your kid go play soccer and stop trying to live vicariously through them.

How cute! You think making an ECNL team is based purely on merit and no politics? Wake up and smell the coffee. Arlington is full of Arlington RL kids, VDA full of VSA/PWSI RL feeders. GFR not having a pathway is absolutely a roadblock for many players.

What are you trying to accomplish here? You are arguing in absolutes ("absolutely" a roadblock). National league teams can have kids based on merit AND kids based on politics. Every national league team around here has kids from outside of their club or pathway. Take a look at all the U13 National league teams around here that just formed.

I said it was absolutely a roadblock for “many” players. There are probably only a handful of real standout kids in each age group that can walk in cold to a tryout and make an ECNL team. “Most” players need to be vouched for, need to be “seen” under the right circumstances. I am not trying to accomplish anything but simply noting that having a pathway is a huge advantage to the club and to state otherwise is utter nonsense.

This pathway to one team per age group definitely looks more promising: Fairfax Virginia Union is a growing club built on a new and exciting partnership between Braddock Road Youth Club (BRYC), Herndon Youth Soccer (HYS), Lee Mount Vernon Sports Club (LMVSC), Virginia Valor FC (Valor), Villarreal Virginia Academy (VIVA), and Vienna Youth Soccer (VYS).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So tryouts have started and we got no announcement on any new alliances or pathways from PA.

And I know the "super enthusiastic" GFR mom will chime in as she always does with defense of "pathways being a gimmick" or "its only a local club" or blah blah blah whatever tows the company line.

But like Biggie said, "It was all a dream..." or maybe just a lie.

What are you even upset about? You could only be this upset if you were betting all your chips on a GFR pathway by this season (which literally no one else is doing), but if your DC is that good, just go try out at any of the neighboring ECNL or GA clubs.

It's sad that you are so bitter and sourfaced while everyone else just moves on.

The company cheerleader mom is back! If it's not a big deal then why make it a big deal at the last meeting where nearly everyone there were asking about it?

No one made a big deal about it. It wasn’t in the presentation. She was asked about it in Q&A and did her best to answer honestly while acknowledging the uncertainty about timing. She never guaranteed it would happen by a particular time nor would anyone reasonable expect something this complicated to be locked down within three months of her taking over.

If you think your DC is good enough and old enough that a pathway to a national league actually matters, much less by this year, there have been tryouts and ID sessions for several local NL and GA/MLSN teams this spring already and if it didn’t happen there it wouldn’t matter for you if there were a pathway announcement this March or not.

It has nothing to do with my DC. People are calling these lies out for the good of the club. Pathway for a club is more than just access to a national pathway, it is about giving the club some legitimacy. GFR is turning into Sterling Soccer, Villareal or Mt. Vernon. Oh wait 2 out of 3 of those clubs actually have a national pathway because they know that it's about more than simply access to a pathway. It's about growth and legitimacy for the club. But keep on spouting your lies coach, board member or whoever you are cheerleader. Your next move will be to get these posts deleted again, right?

This just proves your focus on a pathway is misguided. Two out of those three clubs “actually have a national pathway” but it hasn’t done anything for their growth or legitimacy. I’d much rather be at a club like GFR that tops out at RL without a pathway but takes development seriously and where most of the RL teams are very competitive both in their division and against some “national level” teams at tournaments.

If my DC wants to play in a “national level” league and is good enough to do so, I know perfectly well how to get that done. I don’t need some sham arrangement through the club holding my hand. Hell, on the girls side at least a good chunk of the girls on the RL teams could probably make one of the many NoVa GA teams if that’s what they wanted. And if it has nothing to do with your DC, why’s it so important to you? Bragging rights about your club? Let your kid go play soccer and stop trying to live vicariously through them.

How cute! You think making an ECNL team is based purely on merit and no politics? Wake up and smell the coffee. Arlington is full of Arlington RL kids, VDA full of VSA/PWSI RL feeders. GFR not having a pathway is absolutely a roadblock for many players.

What are you trying to accomplish here? You are arguing in absolutes ("absolutely" a roadblock). National league teams can have kids based on merit AND kids based on politics. Every national league team around here has kids from outside of their club or pathway. Take a look at all the U13 National league teams around here that just formed.

I said it was absolutely a roadblock for “many” players. There are probably only a handful of real standout kids in each age group that can walk in cold to a tryout and make an ECNL team. “Most” players need to be vouched for, need to be “seen” under the right circumstances. I am not trying to accomplish anything but simply noting that having a pathway is a huge advantage to the club and to state otherwise is utter nonsense.

Well said. Didn’t a bunch of GFR girls get “vouched for” to be “seen” by Bethesda? Doesn’t seem like a bad pathway for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So tryouts have started and we got no announcement on any new alliances or pathways from PA.

And I know the "super enthusiastic" GFR mom will chime in as she always does with defense of "pathways being a gimmick" or "its only a local club" or blah blah blah whatever tows the company line.

But like Biggie said, "It was all a dream..." or maybe just a lie.

What are you even upset about? You could only be this upset if you were betting all your chips on a GFR pathway by this season (which literally no one else is doing), but if your DC is that good, just go try out at any of the neighboring ECNL or GA clubs.

It's sad that you are so bitter and sourfaced while everyone else just moves on.

The company cheerleader mom is back! If it's not a big deal then why make it a big deal at the last meeting where nearly everyone there were asking about it?

No one made a big deal about it. It wasn’t in the presentation. She was asked about it in Q&A and did her best to answer honestly while acknowledging the uncertainty about timing. She never guaranteed it would happen by a particular time nor would anyone reasonable expect something this complicated to be locked down within three months of her taking over.

If you think your DC is good enough and old enough that a pathway to a national league actually matters, much less by this year, there have been tryouts and ID sessions for several local NL and GA/MLSN teams this spring already and if it didn’t happen there it wouldn’t matter for you if there were a pathway announcement this March or not.

It has nothing to do with my DC. People are calling these lies out for the good of the club. Pathway for a club is more than just access to a national pathway, it is about giving the club some legitimacy. GFR is turning into Sterling Soccer, Villareal or Mt. Vernon. Oh wait 2 out of 3 of those clubs actually have a national pathway because they know that it's about more than simply access to a pathway. It's about growth and legitimacy for the club. But keep on spouting your lies coach, board member or whoever you are cheerleader. Your next move will be to get these posts deleted again, right?

This just proves your focus on a pathway is misguided. Two out of those three clubs “actually have a national pathway” but it hasn’t done anything for their growth or legitimacy. I’d much rather be at a club like GFR that tops out at RL without a pathway but takes development seriously and where most of the RL teams are very competitive both in their division and against some “national level” teams at tournaments.

If my DC wants to play in a “national level” league and is good enough to do so, I know perfectly well how to get that done. I don’t need some sham arrangement through the club holding my hand. Hell, on the girls side at least a good chunk of the girls on the RL teams could probably make one of the many NoVa GA teams if that’s what they wanted. And if it has nothing to do with your DC, why’s it so important to you? Bragging rights about your club? Let your kid go play soccer and stop trying to live vicariously through them.

How cute! You think making an ECNL team is based purely on merit and no politics? Wake up and smell the coffee. Arlington is full of Arlington RL kids, VDA full of VSA/PWSI RL feeders. GFR not having a pathway is absolutely a roadblock for many players.

What are you trying to accomplish here? You are arguing in absolutes ("absolutely" a roadblock). National league teams can have kids based on merit AND kids based on politics. Every national league team around here has kids from outside of their club or pathway. Take a look at all the U13 National league teams around here that just formed.

I said it was absolutely a roadblock for “many” players. There are probably only a handful of real standout kids in each age group that can walk in cold to a tryout and make an ECNL team. “Most” players need to be vouched for, need to be “seen” under the right circumstances. I am not trying to accomplish anything but simply noting that having a pathway is a huge advantage to the club and to state otherwise is utter nonsense.

Even from the feeder clubs, there was a limited opportunity to be vouched for and seen. It’s not like FVU coaches looked at entire U12 teams. Plenty of kids still got overlooked in the process. And many of the kids for whom that did happen still did not make FVU. The reality is that it’s a huge bottleneck from U12 pre ECNL/RL to U13 ECNL, especially on the boys side.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So tryouts have started and we got no announcement on any new alliances or pathways from PA.

And I know the "super enthusiastic" GFR mom will chime in as she always does with defense of "pathways being a gimmick" or "its only a local club" or blah blah blah whatever tows the company line.

But like Biggie said, "It was all a dream..." or maybe just a lie.

What are you even upset about? You could only be this upset if you were betting all your chips on a GFR pathway by this season (which literally no one else is doing), but if your DC is that good, just go try out at any of the neighboring ECNL or GA clubs.

It's sad that you are so bitter and sourfaced while everyone else just moves on.

The company cheerleader mom is back! If it's not a big deal then why make it a big deal at the last meeting where nearly everyone there were asking about it?

No one made a big deal about it. It wasn’t in the presentation. She was asked about it in Q&A and did her best to answer honestly while acknowledging the uncertainty about timing. She never guaranteed it would happen by a particular time nor would anyone reasonable expect something this complicated to be locked down within three months of her taking over.

If you think your DC is good enough and old enough that a pathway to a national league actually matters, much less by this year, there have been tryouts and ID sessions for several local NL and GA/MLSN teams this spring already and if it didn’t happen there it wouldn’t matter for you if there were a pathway announcement this March or not.

It has nothing to do with my DC. People are calling these lies out for the good of the club. Pathway for a club is more than just access to a national pathway, it is about giving the club some legitimacy. GFR is turning into Sterling Soccer, Villareal or Mt. Vernon. Oh wait 2 out of 3 of those clubs actually have a national pathway because they know that it's about more than simply access to a pathway. It's about growth and legitimacy for the club. But keep on spouting your lies coach, board member or whoever you are cheerleader. Your next move will be to get these posts deleted again, right?

This just proves your focus on a pathway is misguided. Two out of those three clubs “actually have a national pathway” but it hasn’t done anything for their growth or legitimacy. I’d much rather be at a club like GFR that tops out at RL without a pathway but takes development seriously and where most of the RL teams are very competitive both in their division and against some “national level” teams at tournaments.

If my DC wants to play in a “national level” league and is good enough to do so, I know perfectly well how to get that done. I don’t need some sham arrangement through the club holding my hand. Hell, on the girls side at least a good chunk of the girls on the RL teams could probably make one of the many NoVa GA teams if that’s what they wanted. And if it has nothing to do with your DC, why’s it so important to you? Bragging rights about your club? Let your kid go play soccer and stop trying to live vicariously through them.

How cute! You think making an ECNL team is based purely on merit and no politics? Wake up and smell the coffee. Arlington is full of Arlington RL kids, VDA full of VSA/PWSI RL feeders. GFR not having a pathway is absolutely a roadblock for many players.

What are you trying to accomplish here? You are arguing in absolutes ("absolutely" a roadblock). National league teams can have kids based on merit AND kids based on politics. Every national league team around here has kids from outside of their club or pathway. Take a look at all the U13 National league teams around here that just formed.

I said it was absolutely a roadblock for “many” players. There are probably only a handful of real standout kids in each age group that can walk in cold to a tryout and make an ECNL team. “Most” players need to be vouched for, need to be “seen” under the right circumstances. I am not trying to accomplish anything but simply noting that having a pathway is a huge advantage to the club and to state otherwise is utter nonsense.

This pathway to one team per age group definitely looks more promising: Fairfax Virginia Union is a growing club built on a new and exciting partnership between Braddock Road Youth Club (BRYC), Herndon Youth Soccer (HYS), Lee Mount Vernon Sports Club (LMVSC), Virginia Valor FC (Valor), Villarreal Virginia Academy (VIVA), and Vienna Youth Soccer (VYS).

This really only works in a meaningful way as a pathway for the former BRAVE clubs and really for VYS because of the MV connection. I’ve seen zero evidence of any leg up for the new “alliance” clubs in team rosters. The rosters are public except the new u13s. Go take a look.

Joining as a minor ancillary club in that way would not be a “huge advantage” and it’s utter nonsense to say otherwise. A “pathway” can only help a club if it’s the lead or at least a major partner in the alliance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So tryouts have started and we got no announcement on any new alliances or pathways from PA.

And I know the "super enthusiastic" GFR mom will chime in as she always does with defense of "pathways being a gimmick" or "its only a local club" or blah blah blah whatever tows the company line.

But like Biggie said, "It was all a dream..." or maybe just a lie.

What are you even upset about? You could only be this upset if you were betting all your chips on a GFR pathway by this season (which literally no one else is doing), but if your DC is that good, just go try out at any of the neighboring ECNL or GA clubs.

It's sad that you are so bitter and sourfaced while everyone else just moves on.

The company cheerleader mom is back! If it's not a big deal then why make it a big deal at the last meeting where nearly everyone there were asking about it?

No one made a big deal about it. It wasn’t in the presentation. She was asked about it in Q&A and did her best to answer honestly while acknowledging the uncertainty about timing. She never guaranteed it would happen by a particular time nor would anyone reasonable expect something this complicated to be locked down within three months of her taking over.

If you think your DC is good enough and old enough that a pathway to a national league actually matters, much less by this year, there have been tryouts and ID sessions for several local NL and GA/MLSN teams this spring already and if it didn’t happen there it wouldn’t matter for you if there were a pathway announcement this March or not.

It has nothing to do with my DC. People are calling these lies out for the good of the club. Pathway for a club is more than just access to a national pathway, it is about giving the club some legitimacy. GFR is turning into Sterling Soccer, Villareal or Mt. Vernon. Oh wait 2 out of 3 of those clubs actually have a national pathway because they know that it's about more than simply access to a pathway. It's about growth and legitimacy for the club. But keep on spouting your lies coach, board member or whoever you are cheerleader. Your next move will be to get these posts deleted again, right?

This just proves your focus on a pathway is misguided. Two out of those three clubs “actually have a national pathway” but it hasn’t done anything for their growth or legitimacy. I’d much rather be at a club like GFR that tops out at RL without a pathway but takes development seriously and where most of the RL teams are very competitive both in their division and against some “national level” teams at tournaments.

If my DC wants to play in a “national level” league and is good enough to do so, I know perfectly well how to get that done. I don’t need some sham arrangement through the club holding my hand. Hell, on the girls side at least a good chunk of the girls on the RL teams could probably make one of the many NoVa GA teams if that’s what they wanted. And if it has nothing to do with your DC, why’s it so important to you? Bragging rights about your club? Let your kid go play soccer and stop trying to live vicariously through them.

How cute! You think making an ECNL team is based purely on merit and no politics? Wake up and smell the coffee. Arlington is full of Arlington RL kids, VDA full of VSA/PWSI RL feeders. GFR not having a pathway is absolutely a roadblock for many players.

What are you trying to accomplish here? You are arguing in absolutes ("absolutely" a roadblock). National league teams can have kids based on merit AND kids based on politics. Every national league team around here has kids from outside of their club or pathway. Take a look at all the U13 National league teams around here that just formed.

I said it was absolutely a roadblock for “many” players. There are probably only a handful of real standout kids in each age group that can walk in cold to a tryout and make an ECNL team. “Most” players need to be vouched for, need to be “seen” under the right circumstances. I am not trying to accomplish anything but simply noting that having a pathway is a huge advantage to the club and to state otherwise is utter nonsense.

This pathway to one team per age group definitely looks more promising: Fairfax Virginia Union is a growing club built on a new and exciting partnership between Braddock Road Youth Club (BRYC), Herndon Youth Soccer (HYS), Lee Mount Vernon Sports Club (LMVSC), Virginia Valor FC (Valor), Villarreal Virginia Academy (VIVA), and Vienna Youth Soccer (VYS).

This really only works in a meaningful way as a pathway for the former BRAVE clubs and really for VYS because of the MV connection. I’ve seen zero evidence of any leg up for the new “alliance” clubs in team rosters. The rosters are public except the new u13s. Go take a look.

Joining as a minor ancillary club in that way would not be a “huge advantage” and it’s utter nonsense to say otherwise. A “pathway” can only help a club if it’s the lead or at least a major partner in the alliance.

This! If there is not overlap between the leadership of the feeder club and the leadership of the ECNL club, there is no advantage. I think the ECNL clubs have to show the league they that are alliances or pathways on paper. In reality, they heavily favor the players from the lead club(s) if all other factors are equal. Some years it may not work out that way because the lead club is weak at that age group. But when there are a lot of players who are roughly even, the lead club kids get the spots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So tryouts have started and we got no announcement on any new alliances or pathways from PA.

And I know the "super enthusiastic" GFR mom will chime in as she always does with defense of "pathways being a gimmick" or "its only a local club" or blah blah blah whatever tows the company line.

But like Biggie said, "It was all a dream..." or maybe just a lie.

What are you even upset about? You could only be this upset if you were betting all your chips on a GFR pathway by this season (which literally no one else is doing), but if your DC is that good, just go try out at any of the neighboring ECNL or GA clubs.

It's sad that you are so bitter and sourfaced while everyone else just moves on.

The company cheerleader mom is back! If it's not a big deal then why make it a big deal at the last meeting where nearly everyone there were asking about it?

No one made a big deal about it. It wasn’t in the presentation. She was asked about it in Q&A and did her best to answer honestly while acknowledging the uncertainty about timing. She never guaranteed it would happen by a particular time nor would anyone reasonable expect something this complicated to be locked down within three months of her taking over.

If you think your DC is good enough and old enough that a pathway to a national league actually matters, much less by this year, there have been tryouts and ID sessions for several local NL and GA/MLSN teams this spring already and if it didn’t happen there it wouldn’t matter for you if there were a pathway announcement this March or not.

It has nothing to do with my DC. People are calling these lies out for the good of the club. Pathway for a club is more than just access to a national pathway, it is about giving the club some legitimacy. GFR is turning into Sterling Soccer, Villareal or Mt. Vernon. Oh wait 2 out of 3 of those clubs actually have a national pathway because they know that it's about more than simply access to a pathway. It's about growth and legitimacy for the club. But keep on spouting your lies coach, board member or whoever you are cheerleader. Your next move will be to get these posts deleted again, right?

This just proves your focus on a pathway is misguided. Two out of those three clubs “actually have a national pathway” but it hasn’t done anything for their growth or legitimacy. I’d much rather be at a club like GFR that tops out at RL without a pathway but takes development seriously and where most of the RL teams are very competitive both in their division and against some “national level” teams at tournaments.

If my DC wants to play in a “national level” league and is good enough to do so, I know perfectly well how to get that done. I don’t need some sham arrangement through the club holding my hand. Hell, on the girls side at least a good chunk of the girls on the RL teams could probably make one of the many NoVa GA teams if that’s what they wanted. And if it has nothing to do with your DC, why’s it so important to you? Bragging rights about your club? Let your kid go play soccer and stop trying to live vicariously through them.

How cute! You think making an ECNL team is based purely on merit and no politics? Wake up and smell the coffee. Arlington is full of Arlington RL kids, VDA full of VSA/PWSI RL feeders. GFR not having a pathway is absolutely a roadblock for many players.

What are you trying to accomplish here? You are arguing in absolutes ("absolutely" a roadblock). National league teams can have kids based on merit AND kids based on politics. Every national league team around here has kids from outside of their club or pathway. Take a look at all the U13 National league teams around here that just formed.

I said it was absolutely a roadblock for “many” players. There are probably only a handful of real standout kids in each age group that can walk in cold to a tryout and make an ECNL team. “Most” players need to be vouched for, need to be “seen” under the right circumstances. I am not trying to accomplish anything but simply noting that having a pathway is a huge advantage to the club and to state otherwise is utter nonsense.

This pathway to one team per age group definitely looks more promising: Fairfax Virginia Union is a growing club built on a new and exciting partnership between Braddock Road Youth Club (BRYC), Herndon Youth Soccer (HYS), Lee Mount Vernon Sports Club (LMVSC), Virginia Valor FC (Valor), Villarreal Virginia Academy (VIVA), and Vienna Youth Soccer (VYS).

This really only works in a meaningful way as a pathway for the former BRAVE clubs and really for VYS because of the MV connection. I’ve seen zero evidence of any leg up for the new “alliance” clubs in team rosters. The rosters are public except the new u13s. Go take a look.

Joining as a minor ancillary club in that way would not be a “huge advantage” and it’s utter nonsense to say otherwise. A “pathway” can only help a club if it’s the lead or at least a major partner in the alliance.

This! If there is not overlap between the leadership of the feeder club and the leadership of the ECNL club, there is no advantage. I think the ECNL clubs have to show the league they that are alliances or pathways on paper. In reality, they heavily favor the players from the lead club(s) if all other factors are equal. Some years it may not work out that way because the lead club is weak at that age group. But when there are a lot of players who are roughly even, the lead club kids get the spots.

Ohhhh so Cheerleader Karen thinks pathways ARE good now … but it needs to prove its leadership opportunities. That’s rich! You’ll believe anything NM writes on here, right?

Join an alliance and have your coaches and players outperform the other member teams. Arlington and Bethesda are huge so they don’t have that issue but PWSI and VSA battle back and forth for VDA dominance. And last I heard Valor (a new lesser alliance member) got most slots of the alliance on FVU.

[Anonymous]

No way is that true about Valor, their training is terrible lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No way is that true about Valor, their training is terrible lol

There are like 4 girls on the 2014 team that are good, that presumably made FVU. Coaches and clubs love to take credit when it's really just luck (for the club) that a group of talented players came through and happen to stick around for a couple of years before moving on to higher levels. The good players are good because of natural talent + outside training. The real test is when a club produces consistently good teams across age groups and genders and when there isn't a huge gap between first and second teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No way is that true about Valor, their training is terrible lol

Yes it’s true and clearly those girls were helped by the alliance and pathway given to them. Too bad GFR girls don’t have that option (except a few that were quietly given a private look at Bethesda).

[Anonymous]

Saying four girls from valor made one team is VERY different then saying a lot of kids from valor make all the teams. And, considering how huge their rosters are, 4 on one team is not very significant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Saying four girls from valor made one team is VERY different then saying a lot of kids from valor make all the teams. And, considering how huge their rosters are, 4 on one team is not very significant.

Also, I’m pretty confident that there are 4 girls in that age group at GFR that could have made that team if it’s what they wanted, pathway or no.