Pepe wrote:

LedTasso wrote:Coach recommendations. Usually only get one opportunity.

Thanks. I figured as much, but didn't know if colleges request certain players to get into the biggest game.

retiredref wrote:

Lasso_FC_Girls wrote:I'll chime in...

Maryland side is currently hurting. Bethesda and MDU seem to keep trading players. Both have polarizing coaching and parents as well as high player turnover. I would probably put both Pipeline and Baltimore Armour above them since they are a little more grounded. Doesn't really matter for a true DMV layer as those clubs are further away.

Virginia's current leader is probably a toss up between VDA and FCV. The director at FCV is more like a dictator. Christian is very good. Tom Torres has the Spirit accusations but is still regarded as a very good coach. VDA's staff is excellent for the most part but I have heard complaints about the new 2008 coaches.

100% agree about what previous poster said about Mclean/Union. Clyde is/was best coach but on the way out. Some players are given favoritism due to who they might train with outside the club. Large rosters. Experienced college recruitment program.

Arlington is seeing success at younger ages. Good coaches but hear a lack of leadership and organization. Needs to work on building relationships with College coaches. Are they just another Loudoun? Time will only tell.

BRYC/Brave - Seem to have improved some for merger with VYS but not enough to put them in the top half of any ECNL tables. I don't know if they will ever get the college looks they once did.

Loudoun - Young teams always seem to do well due to the size of the club but by HS ages they aren't able to compete. This leads to a lack of interests at the next level. Coaches yell a lot but not an abusive manner. Still trying to figure out why the teams always start doing poorly at high school age.

Metro ASA - This club actually has my favorite set of coaches but they just can't bring in any talent teamwide. It's kind of a shame. As bad as some of the teams are, they still somehow manage to get kids to the next level. I bet if Loudoun had this coaching staff from an early age, they would see a lot more success.

Always go for ECNL unless you can get into a top GA club like FCV. I honestly wonder how long FCV can hold it together for. ECNL is hands down better competition, GA is a distant 2nd. The only thing that holds the GA together is it's Champions League Events and National Finals. Outside of the GA teams that make those, I don't see a big difference between GA, ECNLRL, or EDP.

2 cents deposited.

I've watched both Christian and Tom coach multiple times and I would not want my daughter anywhere near either.

anonimouswon wrote:

SDC wrote:

anonimouswon wrote:

soccer_dc wrote:

mdsoccerdad wrote:

soccer_dc wrote:

GloryHunter wrote:All the real tryouts are basically over. At least for the top teams.

This is true. Offers are already out for the top teams. Although there is always an extra spot or two if someone good enough shows up.

"top teams" from what clubs?

the maryland ECNL clubs havent even had tryouts yet

I have seen ID sessions posted throughout March and April from VA Union, VDA, FCV, Arlington.

One thing I never understood at the ECNL level how are kids from another ECNL team allowed to practice with another ECNL team during the season in these "ID" sessions before actual tryouts? I thought recruiting can't happen until May?

The ECNL rules changed this year for Virginia. The old May 1 date is now March 1 for all clubs in VA. Most other states still have May 1.

Thanks for the clarification. Since you seem knowledgeable in this area if you're on an ECNL team but working out with an MLS Next team (or reversed) anytime during the year is fine, correct?

anonimouswon wrote:

soccer_dc wrote:

mdsoccerdad wrote:

soccer_dc wrote:

GloryHunter wrote:All the real tryouts are basically over. At least for the top teams.

This is true. Offers are already out for the top teams. Although there is always an extra spot or two if someone good enough shows up.

"top teams" from what clubs?

the maryland ECNL clubs havent even had tryouts yet

I have seen ID sessions posted throughout March and April from VA Union, VDA, FCV, Arlington.

One thing I never understood at the ECNL level how are kids from another ECNL team allowed to practice with another ECNL team during the season in these "ID" sessions before actual tryouts? I thought recruiting can't happen until May?