Anonymous wrote:During this tryout season, I am happy to see a few clubs that treat the parents and kids nicely, actually give "unknown" kids a chance. Who knows whether we get any offers, but after a few awful cattle call tryouts over the years, these experiences have been very nice.

Have tryouts even started yet?

During this tryout season, I am happy to see a few clubs that treat the parents and kids nicely, actually give "unknown" kids a chance. Who knows whether we get any offers, but after a few awful cattle call tryouts over the years, these experiences have been very nice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had to step in to referee a game this weekend when the ref did not show up. I didn't call a perfect game as I am years out of practice, but I wanted to say thank you to the parents for understanding the situation, allowing for a parent ref to call the game and not turn into A-holes. Everyone seemed grateful and understood the situation and enjoyed the game.

If you are an understanding parent who doesn't shout at the referee constantly, thanks you! I saw some good examples this weekend!

If this was yesterday at Williamsburg MS, you did a great job. It was a good game.

Not to bring negativity into what's supposed to be a positive thread, but there were also parents at WMS yesterday who booed a teenage ref. It may indeed have been a bad call, but just don't.

That said, I'm grateful for all those who are willing to ref, especially the ones who make a point to explain calls and teach the youngest kids. It's great to see.

Anonymous wrote:I had to step in to referee a game this weekend when the ref did not show up. I didn't call a perfect game as I am years out of practice, but I wanted to say thank you to the parents for understanding the situation, allowing for a parent ref to call the game and not turn into A-holes. Everyone seemed grateful and understood the situation and enjoyed the game.

If you are an understanding parent who doesn't shout at the referee constantly, thanks you! I saw some good examples this weekend!

If this was yesterday at Williamsburg MS, you did a great job. It was a good game.

I see there is already negativity above but I am happy to share some positivity. My son is having an amazing experience at his club. Club is organized. Teammates are strong, supportive, dedicated and kind. The completion level is good. Most importantly he has 2 great coaches who he is comfortable talking to openly and have made an effort to support his personal goals.

Korbin Albert...too soon?

I am so thrilled with my U12 team and coach. The parents are amazing, the manager is amazing, the carpool is amazing. My kid is getting great quality coaching from an extremely qualified parent coach (so lucky, I know) and the team is competitive, improving constantly, and gels so well.

I could not be happier.

(And can’t resist saying this is pretty much the opposite of the experience we had playing for a well known travel club)

U9 Arlington my kid had a coach leave in September and then the replacement left in April. He had 3 coaches his first year.

The worst is when you are injured when the switch happens and then the new coach knows nothing about you and cuts you at an ID session when you have to tryout during recovery.

The entire travel thing is messed up. Coaches and TDs are moving clubs constantly.

Anonymous wrote:I am a big proponent of change. I think the changes we are seeing will bring in new coaching talent, highlight players in new ways, and ultimately result in more learning across the board.

I'm curious which clubs/teams have new coaches and where they came from. The consolidation of Union and Brave forces new coaching relationships on players, which is something all players have to learn to deal with as they move along their journey. The FCV situation seems to be bringing in new coaches from outside of the region. All this seems like a good thing for players. Exposure to new coaches and strategy of play can only help build new opportunities and the level of play.

Are you f@kkking kidding me? My kid has had about 16 different coaches since U9. Some leave mid season. I don’t think we have ever had the same coach for more than 1 year. Kids U16 and U18 at various different clubs over that time.

I had to step in to referee a game this weekend when the ref did not show up. I didn't call a perfect game as I am years out of practice, but I wanted to say thank you to the parents for understanding the situation, allowing for a parent ref to call the game and not turn into A-holes. Everyone seemed grateful and understood the situation and enjoyed the game.

If you are an understanding parent who doesn't shout at the referee constantly, thanks you! I saw some good examples this weekend!

Anonymous wrote:Way to go USWNT!

That was a good game yesterday. Nice to see the adversity met with a solid response by the team.

The Brazil vs Canada game was also a good one. I was pulling for Brazil mostly because I think we match up with them better.

I am a big proponent of change. I think the changes we are seeing will bring in new coaching talent, highlight players in new ways, and ultimately result in more learning across the board.

I'm curious which clubs/teams have new coaches and where they came from. The consolidation of Union and Brave forces new coaching relationships on players, which is something all players have to learn to deal with as they move along their journey. The FCV situation seems to be bringing in new coaches from outside of the region. All this seems like a good thing for players. Exposure to new coaches and strategy of play can only help build new opportunities and the level of play.

Way to go USWNT!

You won't get much positivity from many on this board. The personal/organizational agendas and anonymity of the board makes it impossible for people to not bear their axe and express their criticisms.

In response to all the negativity that reigns on this board and what feels like a rash of postings from people who have an a axe to grind with specific clubs/coaches this thread is has been created with one small rule in mind. The rule is that all posts should come from a positive and supportive perspective. Posts should not be comparative or contrasting as a means to make one poster feel better by bringing somebody/something else down.

It won't be long before a poster challenges this thread's rule. Do not take the bait. Do not feel the need to argue. Skip over the negativity. Instead, stay focused on the positive and productive aspects of conversations. Ask positive questions with the expectation that you will receive a positive and productive response.