McLeaving

[Anonymous]

We have been a McLean family for a long time, and we have seen the organization morph through the decades. Back in the heyday, the club was essentially run by Rieco. Many of the coaches worked for them, in there was a real collegial and family feel to the club.
I am not entirely sure what changed, but the change was gradual with really only one constant:CW.
CW coached a child or two of mine , and nobody can doubt his knowledge
There is more to his position than just knowledge though. We did start noticing certain things. Some players were definitely shown favoritism. It got really bad. My kid would come home from practice saying that one kid in particular feigned injury during conditioning drills, but miraculously recovered and was fine when scrimmages started. Many of the girls were upset, but none of them said anything. It's embarrassing but many parents, us included, tolerated this out of reverence for CW. I think he counted on that, and as things got more contentious other coaches would actually come by and talk to the kids about what an honor it was to play for him. It was like a sales pitch, but this was at the advent of the DA and the allure of that on the girls' side was strong. A lot of girls left, which I think took CW by surprise.
I am not going to lie. I definitely have an axe to.grind and I definitely feel CW did not do well by one of my kids. I am admitting I am not entirely objective, so make of that what you will.
I see a correlation between what happened with that one child's team and what has happened over the years. Many many good coaches have passed through McLean, and many, when being candid, will tell you that on the outside the club looked great, but there was always distrust and insecurity because there was a major contrast between what the club said to coaches and what it actually offered them.
A soccer club is in actuality analogous to a family. If everyone is open and honest, it help create an environment conducive to success. If players can't buy into their coaches, that is a problem ( McLean still has many great coaches though in fairness). However when coaches are not content with the way the club is run, that is a major issue. When you look around and see all of the coaches who have left McLean , you have to start scratching your head.
So, we still have a kid or two or three playing. But, we are leaving. This merger only serves the club. It doesn't serve the children. It is a defensive response to an environment , not a proactive one. Had certain things not happened- no merger.
My kids won't be pro players. One or two have or will have the chance to play collegiately, but certain things are more important to this than us.
The merger was a nail in the coffin

[Anonymous]

This isn’t an airport; you don’t need to announce your departure “McLean parent”

[Anonymous]

Seems like those initials should be SW

[Anonymous]

I’d like to point out, the club isn’t merging. The best players will play ECNL. There’s just a bigger pool of players to select from. If you’re not willing to have your son be pushed, already questioning why you’d want ECNL in first place.

And considering most McLean ECNL players didn’t come up through MYS, what are you really trying to say?

[Anonymous]

This merger was done for the boys at McLean to make them more competitive. Very little benefit to the girls side.

That said-McLean communication has been terrible this year. Hope they can get it together for next year and beyond!

[Anonymous]

Op here. I see the McLean whiners are out. If you don't like what people post, don't come here or don't read things. This is prob a McLean damage control post. I will keep posting because the culture is wrong and people shouldn't pay you. It's out in the open now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This isn’t an airport; you don’t need to announce your departure “McLean parent”

+1. LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I see the McLean whiners are out. If you don't like what people post, don't come here or don't read things. This is prob a McLean damage control post. I will keep posting because the culture is wrong and people shouldn't pay you. It's out in the open now.

Prove a single thing you said and you’ll be taken seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This merger was done for the boys at McLean to make them more competitive. Very little benefit to the girls side.

That said-McLean communication has been terrible this year. Hope they can get it together for next year and beyond!

So the girls program, which is already really good, will get the possibility of adding in a few more talented players to be even better. Got it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I see the McLean whiners are out. If you don't like what people post, don't come here or don't read things. This is prob a McLean damage control post. I will keep posting because the culture is wrong and people shouldn't pay you. It's out in the open now.

Prove a single thing you said and you’ll be taken seriously.

Why do I need to prove anything to you lol? I feel the way I feel. If you don't like it, stop reading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This merger was done for the boys at McLean to make them more competitive. Very little benefit to the girls side.

That said-McLean communication has been terrible this year. Hope they can get it together for next year and beyond!

It many benefits the boys teams, or next year's results, but not necessarily the majority of McLean raised players, right? I imagine the ECNL teams will be well over 50% SYC. I have kids at McLean and Arlington and, in our experience, SYC boys side is MUCH stronger. The girls teams, on the other hand, will likely remain majority McLean with the addition of some strong players. So in that sense, I see it as more beneficial for the girls who won't just get bumped from the club that trained them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I see the McLean whiners are out. If you don't like what people post, don't come here or don't read things. This is prob a McLean damage control post. I will keep posting because the culture is wrong and people shouldn't pay you. It's out in the open now.

Prove a single thing you said and you’ll be taken seriously.

Why do I need to prove anything to you lol? I feel the way I feel. If you don't like it, stop reading.

Aaaaaaand thank you

[Anonymous]

You've have decades of kids in McLean and then discuss kids not even being at collegiate level yet? Huh?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This merger was done for the boys at McLean to make them more competitive. Very little benefit to the girls side.

That said-McLean communication has been terrible this year. Hope they can get it together for next year and beyond!

It many benefits the boys teams, or next year's results, but not necessarily the majority of McLean raised players, right? I imagine the ECNL teams will be well over 50% SYC. I have kids at McLean and Arlington and, in our experience, SYC boys side is MUCH stronger. The girls teams, on the other hand, will likely remain majority McLean with the addition of some strong players. So in that sense, I see it as more beneficial for the girls who won't just get bumped from the club that trained them.

Unless JA trained them. In that case they are back to rec. They can courier maybe, but can,'t play. Sorry this is the end

[Anonymous]

We are out too