Anonymous wrote:For clarity, Coach Vinn is the Achilles 2014 Coach? From a very big club. We played their top team and as others said, we crushed them because they just dribbled the whole game/tried to work it out if the back even when it was clear they couldn't. The coach sat quietly and let it happen, clearly committed to his process. I don't think he ever made a sound so in a bit surprised to hear if a temper but maybe that's because he doesn't care about wins and losses.

When does the club start to care? MLS Next?

1) Coach Vinn is the 2014 coach.
2) Yes, most people will crush Achilles. We have never lost to them. They don't guarantee MLS Next badges or 1st team positions. With people in this area paying extra for 1st team at some clubs, their meritocracy approach is not popular and they remain "boutique" as they say.
3) He was not quiet when he played us recently but a quiet coach is preferred, especially at this age. A proper coach "coaches" during the week and then allows the kids to problem solve on their own during the game at this age. That is how development happens. Bulldoze now and the kid does not know how to independently think on the pitch.
4) He will get mad either at: a) a player doing too much outside of their scope (one of the lesser players); b) a player not implementing proper technique like taking a first touch away from a defender and into space or receiving on the wrong foot (one of the better players). That is when I have seen his temper. Otherwise, he is typically quiet.
5) They care about developing players and not wins and losses. Do a test this weekend. Count how many times either your team or the opposing team can string together 5+ passes on purpose. Count how many 2v1's are created through movement and passing/dribbling ANYWHERE on the pitch. We complain about the USMNT and why so many D1 spots to go foreigners. Have you guys seen the 1st touches of some of these MLS Next players?!?

Although we are not with their club, I spent the time defending them in this post because they are actually doing it the right way. I am good with people not liking their temperament. That is fair. But this "we beat them" BS has to stop as a means of judging what quality coaching is and is not. THERE AIN'T ALOT OF QUALITY COACHES IN THE DMV. DON'T LET NATIONAL TITLES AND FANCY ACCENTS FOOL YOU.

For clarity, Coach Vinn is the Achilles 2014 Coach? From a very big club. We played their top team and as others said, we crushed them because they just dribbled the whole game/tried to work it out if the back even when it was clear they couldn't. The coach sat quietly and let it happen, clearly committed to his process. I don't think he ever made a sound so in a bit surprised to hear if a temper but maybe that's because he doesn't care about wins and losses.

When does the club start to care? MLS Next?

Anonymous wrote:Other clubs that are much more reasonable to consider than, say, Arlington, from where you will be living are Paragon and Maryland Bobcats. They aren't ECNL or MLS Next but at 2014 you say development is more important to you and these clubs really do focus on development and encouraging love of the game.

As for Achilles, will just echo previous posters and say it is NOT for everyone.

Bethesda and Potomac are huge clubs where many kids feel like commodities and getting onto the top team can be a struggle (though easier, frankly, coming from outside than working thru the ranks). Coaching is hit or miss. Achilles is small. All the coaches know their stuff (thought you may not agree with their style, as described above) and also will know your kid, for better or worse.

Paragon does not have a 2014 team

Other clubs that are much more reasonable to consider than, say, Arlington, from where you will be living are Paragon and Maryland Bobcats. They aren't ECNL or MLS Next but at 2014 you say development is more important to you and these clubs really do focus on development and encouraging love of the game.

As for Achilles, will just echo previous posters and say it is NOT for everyone.

Bethesda and Potomac are huge clubs where many kids feel like commodities and getting onto the top team can be a struggle (though easier, frankly, coming from outside than working thru the ranks). Coaching is hit or miss. Achilles is small. All the coaches know their stuff (thought you may not agree with their style, as described above) and also will know your kid, for better or worse.

Anonymous wrote:Achilles, the worst, there is no development and their QoP is mid range at best. The screaming coaches are the icing on the cake, one of them is the owner and the other one is I think a relative and every time we play against them the apoplectic screaming is absolutely off the charts. It’s the worst combination of joystick coaching and rage bait. I couldn’t expose my kid to that for any quality of coaching, no thanks.

Can you name three better technical coaches in the DMV than Coach Vinn?

He has his Technician session tomorrow night at 6pm (Wednesday) at Gwendolyn Coffield Community Center. His technical training is only 2nd to a coach at my club. I can name only one in the area better but maybe I am not in “the know.”

You are right about his temper. Ok, he is not perfect. I am not even with his club but take offense to this post as it means you don’t really understand football.

Please enlighten me on three better technical coaches than the relative, Coach Vinn.

Achilles, the worst, there is no development and their QoP is mid range at best. The screaming coaches are the icing on the cake, one of them is the owner and the other one is I think a relative and every time we play against them the apoplectic screaming is absolutely off the charts. It’s the worst combination of joystick coaching and rage bait. I couldn’t expose my kid to that for any quality of coaching, no thanks.

Anonymous wrote:Achilles 2014 team is talented.

Training at Achilles is known to be top-notch. Also, fluid rosters and best players often play up.

At that age (U12), have to prepare to lose all the time with Achilles. Skilled, technical teams - but not good enough and don't have depth of bigger clubs to be competitive locally/regionally at any age group.

lol. One U17 on USMNT roster and another playing for a Bundesliga academy. Team is one of the top in MD.

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn’t consider Achilles. Trainings might be good for technical but they’re all over the place as a club. I would look at clubs in Montgomery County, maybe NoVa but that drive would suck. Top two clubs in MoCo are Bethesda and Potomac. Bethesda lost a bunch of players but have good development. Potomac plays in ECNL and just won an ECNL tournament this past weekend.

Could also look at the rankings app, hope this helps!

Ranking app doesn’t factor in QoP, so for U13 & U14, ranking app is useless for MLSNext.

As a fellow NW DC resident with a 2014, it sucks for us. We are fly overs in this space, especially on this board. I think the other posters have nailed it. People in this area have a love/hate relationship with Achilles. While we are not with them, they have the best technical training in the area.

The top DCSC 2014 team has some talent. If they moved to Achilles, that would make things very interesting in the area. They can play with the Pre-ECNL teams so I imagine that group will disband unless DCSC actually got full ECNL.

I am not familiar with their coach at DCSC. They have had a lot of shakeups over there.

Hi all. Thanks so much. My goal is the very best experience and development that's close to my house. I'm a bit concerned with the whole ECNL vs. MLSNext on a go forward basis, hence my question about Achilles. I get that winning games doesn't matter but losing run all doesn't sound ideal either.

Separately, do any of you know if the DCSC kids are moving to Achilles amid the upheaval there? What about DCSC for my 2014 DS? Anyone know about that coach?

It depends on your goals. Great technical training but they do not care about winning. I think their top team is winless this fall although I know they have two really elite players on the team. If I lived in DC, I would still join them as winning is not important to me at this age more than technical training and development.

They are known to be a little aggressive so visit a practice or two to make sure you are good with how they operate.

Check out Bethesda, Potomac and Arlington as well if they don’t fit your vibe. All four of those clubs are accessible to you and play a higher quality of football than the rest in the area. All four have kids from NW DC who you can carpool with as DC Soccer is a tire fire and the high level players in DC are generally playing outside of it.

Achilles fan boy has entered the chat.

Do your research. Go watch one of the 2011B games where the head coach is also the owner for Achilles and also the HC at St. Johns.

Anonymous wrote:Achilles 2014 team is talented.

Training at Achilles is known to be top-notch. Also, fluid rosters and best players often play up.

At that age (U12), have to prepare to lose all the time with Achilles. Skilled, technical teams - but not good enough and don't have depth of bigger clubs to be competitive locally/regionally at any age group.

Wouldn’t consider Achilles. Trainings might be good for technical but they’re all over the place as a club. I would look at clubs in Montgomery County, maybe NoVa but that drive would suck. Top two clubs in MoCo are Bethesda and Potomac. Bethesda lost a bunch of players but have good development. Potomac plays in ECNL and just won an ECNL tournament this past weekend.

Could also look at the rankings app, hope this helps!

Achilles 2014 team is talented.

Training at Achilles is known to be top-notch. Also, fluid rosters and best players often play up.

At that age (U12), have to prepare to lose all the time with Achilles. Skilled, technical teams - but not good enough and don't have depth of bigger clubs to be competitive locally/regionally at any age group.

Moving into the area and wondered if anyone can provide information about the Achilles 2014B program. DS is on an ECNL top team at a major club in another city. Trying to manage proximity to our house, traffic, etc. especially given DCSC's current issues. We'll be living in NW DC.

Thoughts on the coaches and whether they will be in MLS1 or 2 is what I'm looking for. Not looking for flames just some info, please. Especially interested in the quality of the coaching. Thanks in advance.