Pepe
03/10/2022 12:50
Subject: Herndon joining VDA
Many kids travel 1hr+ for practice to be on VDA. Just how it is for a lot of clubs where winning in certain age groups is the norm. Obviously on lower performing teams, no matter the club, driving a lot isn't going to cut it. Also, being out west as VDA is, they collect many girls out on the I-66 who have no ECNL options. Location maters and sucks for the grouping of ECNL clubs near DC, Bethesda included.
TedLasso
03/10/2022 07:53
Subject: Re:Herndon joining VDA
soccer_dc wrote:Of course VDA mostly only makes sense if you live in PWC. Because it's in PWC. The vast majority of players on these elite teams are those who live in the close geographic area. There are always a few willing to travel but it's not the norm. It only gets interesting when there are 2 clubs in the same geographic area competing for the same players, but that is somewhat rare. The rest of these partnerships are marketing that has little real effect
Probably true.
As a family within their member club I can tell you that it is of my opinion that the credibility of what they present to you on paper or verbally is eroding. There are bright spots in VDA but being in the mix of a member club and seeing how they do business as they try to form their what they call 'Zone 1' its all smoke and mirrors to me. They have nothing to back up what they state their process is.
soccer_dc
03/09/2022 11:53
Subject: Re:Herndon joining VDA
NovaAttackingMid wrote:VDA is a great club for people who like to spend time in their car. Don't forget to factor in the extra $500 in gas to that annual fee. For those who live in PW County, it may make sense. But, for those in Fairfax, Loudoun, and other areas...better options exist.
Of course VDA mostly only makes sense if you live in PWC. Because it's in PWC. The vast majority of players on these elite teams are those who live in the close geographic area. There are always a few willing to travel but it's not the norm. It only gets interesting when there are 2 clubs in the same geographic area competing for the same players, but that is somewhat rare. The rest of these partnerships are marketing that has little real effect
NovaAttackingMid
03/09/2022 09:50
Subject: Re:Herndon joining VDA
VDA is a great club for people who like to spend time in their car. Don't forget to factor in the extra $500 in gas to that annual fee. For those who live in PW County, it may make sense. But, for those in Fairfax, Loudoun, and other areas...better options exist.
Arch
03/09/2022 09:40
Subject: Herndon joining VDA
Manodedios wrote:ProRel wrote:SoccerSkeptic wrote:Agree with previous posters. Adding a third club is good in theory for VDA, but I don't see many Herndon families commuting an hour or two with traffic 4 days a week to haymarket or woodbridge. VDA tried something similar with Vienna a few years ago and that didn't last long because of the distance and that was when they were special and had the full DA. There are several other ECNL/MLSnext clubs that are closer for Herndon families. Plus, didn't Herndon lose a lot of their top kids and coaches due to the total futbol split?
yep. empty press release that will result in little or no player movement. notice they didn't even bother to change the vda logo to include herndon alongside vsa and pwsi.
Herndon announced a partnership with Arlington about 10 months ago - end of April 2021. Is that still in effect? What is the over/under on a Herndon partnership with Loudoun or BRAVE in the next 9 months? Or do those clubs practice too close to Herndon?
Well, five years after VYS joined VDA they're now in BRAVE so I'll go with the over: http://vys.org/_files/VYS%20VDA%20Press%20Release.pdf
Manodedios
03/08/2022 10:33
Subject: Herndon joining VDA
ProRel wrote:SoccerSkeptic wrote:Agree with previous posters. Adding a third club is good in theory for VDA, but I don't see many Herndon families commuting an hour or two with traffic 4 days a week to haymarket or woodbridge. VDA tried something similar with Vienna a few years ago and that didn't last long because of the distance and that was when they were special and had the full DA. There are several other ECNL/MLSnext clubs that are closer for Herndon families. Plus, didn't Herndon lose a lot of their top kids and coaches due to the total futbol split?
yep. empty press release that will result in little or no player movement. notice they didn't even bother to change the vda logo to include herndon alongside vsa and pwsi.
Herndon announced a partnership with Arlington about 10 months ago - end of April 2021. Is that still in effect? What is the over/under on a Herndon partnership with Loudoun or BRAVE in the next 9 months? Or do those clubs practice too close to Herndon?
ProRel
03/07/2022 19:56
Subject: Herndon joining VDA
SoccerSkeptic wrote:Agree with previous posters. Adding a third club is good in theory for VDA, but I don't see many Herndon families commuting an hour or two with traffic 4 days a week to haymarket or woodbridge. VDA tried something similar with Vienna a few years ago and that didn't last long because of the distance and that was when they were special and had the full DA. There are several other ECNL/MLSnext clubs that are closer for Herndon families. Plus, didn't Herndon lose a lot of their top kids and coaches due to the total futbol split?
yep. empty press release that will result in little or no player movement. notice they didn't even bother to change the vda logo to include herndon alongside vsa and pwsi.
Metrosoccer
03/07/2022 17:14
Subject: Re:Herndon joining VDA
Does anyone know how this is going to work with Metro?
SoccerSkeptic
03/07/2022 17:13
Subject: Herndon joining VDA
Agree with previous posters. Adding a third club is good in theory for VDA, but I don't see many Herndon families commuting an hour or two with traffic 4 days a week to haymarket or woodbridge. VDA tried something similar with Vienna a few years ago and that didn't last long because of the distance and that was when they were special and had the full DA. There are several other ECNL/MLSnext clubs that are closer for Herndon families. Plus, didn't Herndon lose a lot of their top kids and coaches due to the total futbol split?
Pinksoccerball
03/07/2022 16:28
Subject: Re:Herndon joining VDA
soccer_dc wrote:Consolidation makes sense. ECNL clubs like VDA need a bigger pipeline of players. And Herndon needs a better pathway for their top players. One question is how big an issue will the distance be. Doesn't VDA train in Gainesville and Woodbridge? If you are a top player at Herndon wouldn't you be looking at closer ECNL options?
Distance being an issue was exactly my thought behind it. Can't see way too many making the trip out there. At least it presents a pipeline for those Herndon players that could be considering staying instead of fully leaving the club at the earlier ages.
soccer_dc
03/07/2022 14:52
Subject: Re:Herndon joining VDA
Consolidation makes sense. ECNL clubs like VDA need a bigger pipeline of players. And Herndon needs a better pathway for their top players. One question is how big an issue will the distance be. Doesn't VDA train in Gainesville and Woodbridge? If you are a top player at Herndon wouldn't you be looking at closer ECNL options?
GloryHunter
03/07/2022 14:12
Subject: Herndon joining VDA