Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 12:13     Subject: Arlington ECNL Boys Coaches
Well, they are giving out offers to kids too old for the new U17 age group. To be fair, it’s tough to tell at this point if it’s something nefarious on the part of the club, or if they’ve been duped by unscrupulous parents and have yet to perform due diligence. Either way, it’s happening.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 11:16     Subject: Arlington ECNL Boys Coaches
Anonymous wrote:I do think that we tend to forget as parents that this isn’t swimming or track. Someone isn’t objectively faster/better. I don’t know anything about the situation the PPs are alluding to, but…

When DC experiences disappointment, I think about Zlatan at Barcelona. Great player, thrived under Mourinho and other coaches, wasn’t right for Pep and the Barcelona system and to play in a system involving such a young superstar like Messi that required the latter to be “the guy.” He wasn’t right for that team at that moment but that doesn’t mean he isn’t one of the best of all time.

It doesn’t always have to be something nefarious. Maybe unfair, but more in the bad luck kind of way that [insert club/coach] doesn’t choose to operate in a way that allows super-talented child to be the best selection at that moment.


My DS is not at ARL but this statement doesn’t make a lot of sense-“ Someone isn’t objectively faster/better.” If faster is interchangeable with better, than it’s just like swimming or track. Objectively, some kids are just better even in terms of overall play.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 10:43     Subject: Arlington ECNL Boys Coaches
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I will say that I felt there was a good deal of disappointing politics and favoritism from some of these guys that I thought were better than that in choosing one particularly ECNL team. Pretty sure it will result in exits next year, including in younger ranks because the façade is gone. Not a flame just something the club should know.


Favoritism or just more skill?


Not more skill (which is my point) but that's my opinion. I don't want to say the team because it's a bit too personal/close to home. But I didn't appreciate it. Happy to vote with my feet and encourage others to do the same.


Cryptic to say the least

I'm always cautious about the opinions of parents claiming which kid is favored for skill over another
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 23:49     Subject: Arlington ECNL Boys Coaches
Majorly and completely toxic! Winning but playing football, but not Futbol.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2026 20:52     Subject: Arlington ECNL Boys Coaches
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I will say that I felt there was a good deal of disappointing politics and favoritism from some of these guys that I thought were better than that in choosing one particularly ECNL team. Pretty sure it will result in exits next year, including in younger ranks because the façade is gone. Not a flame just something the club should know.


Why wait
Leave now


I am.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2026 18:57     Subject: Arlington ECNL Boys Coaches
Anonymous wrote:I will say that I felt there was a good deal of disappointing politics and favoritism from some of these guys that I thought were better than that in choosing one particularly ECNL team. Pretty sure it will result in exits next year, including in younger ranks because the façade is gone. Not a flame just something the club should know.


Why wait
Leave now
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2026 12:27     Subject: Arlington ECNL Boys Coaches
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I do think that we tend to forget as parents that this isn’t swimming or track. Someone isn’t objectively faster/better. I don’t know anything about the situation the PPs are alluding to, but…

When DC experiences disappointment, I think about Zlatan at Barcelona. Great player, thrived under Mourinho and other coaches, wasn’t right for Pep and the Barcelona system and to play in a system involving such a young superstar like Messi that required the latter to be “the guy.” He wasn’t right for that team at that moment but that doesn’t mean he isn’t one of the best of all time.

It doesn’t always have to be something nefarious. Maybe unfair, but more in the bad luck kind of way that [insert club/coach] doesn’t choose to operate in a way that allows super-talented child to be the best selection at that moment.


This is a very fair point but what you are describing is an environment that has a strong potential for bias and unfairness, which can operate for or against a particular set of players. I'm saying that's on display here. Nothing nefarious but people should do their level best to understand and avoid the outcome determinative effects of their own biases.


I mean the 2009 and 2010 older boys teams are very strong with great players- maybe the coach knew what he was doing even if you disagree?
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2026 10:56     Subject: Arlington ECNL Boys Coaches
Anonymous wrote:I do think that we tend to forget as parents that this isn’t swimming or track. Someone isn’t objectively faster/better. I don’t know anything about the situation the PPs are alluding to, but…

When DC experiences disappointment, I think about Zlatan at Barcelona. Great player, thrived under Mourinho and other coaches, wasn’t right for Pep and the Barcelona system and to play in a system involving such a young superstar like Messi that required the latter to be “the guy.” He wasn’t right for that team at that moment but that doesn’t mean he isn’t one of the best of all time.

It doesn’t always have to be something nefarious. Maybe unfair, but more in the bad luck kind of way that [insert club/coach] doesn’t choose to operate in a way that allows super-talented child to be the best selection at that moment.


This is a very fair point but what you are describing is an environment that has a strong potential for bias and unfairness, which can operate for or against a particular set of players. I'm saying that's on display here. Nothing nefarious but people should do their level best to understand and avoid the outcome determinative effects of their own biases.
Anonymous
Post 03/15/2026 09:21     Subject: Arlington ECNL Boys Coaches
I do think that we tend to forget as parents that this isn’t swimming or track. Someone isn’t objectively faster/better. I don’t know anything about the situation the PPs are alluding to, but…

When DC experiences disappointment, I think about Zlatan at Barcelona. Great player, thrived under Mourinho and other coaches, wasn’t right for Pep and the Barcelona system and to play in a system involving such a young superstar like Messi that required the latter to be “the guy.” He wasn’t right for that team at that moment but that doesn’t mean he isn’t one of the best of all time.

It doesn’t always have to be something nefarious. Maybe unfair, but more in the bad luck kind of way that [insert club/coach] doesn’t choose to operate in a way that allows super-talented child to be the best selection at that moment.
Anonymous
Post 03/14/2026 23:59     Subject: Arlington ECNL Boys Coaches
There is one of the older boys teams that I’ve been hearing poor feedback on…. Just second hand stuff from the parents and from daughters who practices at the same time as them
Anonymous
Post 03/14/2026 23:33     Subject: Arlington ECNL Boys Coaches
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I will say that I felt there was a good deal of disappointing politics and favoritism from some of these guys that I thought were better than that in choosing one particularly ECNL team. Pretty sure it will result in exits next year, including in younger ranks because the façade is gone. Not a flame just something the club should know.


Favoritism or just more skill?


Not more skill (which is my point) but that's my opinion. I don't want to say the team because it's a bit too personal/close to home. But I didn't appreciate it. Happy to vote with my feet and encourage others to do the same.
Anonymous
Post 03/14/2026 22:42     Subject: Arlington ECNL Boys Coaches
Anonymous wrote:I will say that I felt there was a good deal of disappointing politics and favoritism from some of these guys that I thought were better than that in choosing one particularly ECNL team. Pretty sure it will result in exits next year, including in younger ranks because the façade is gone. Not a flame just something the club should know.


Favoritism or just more skill?
Anonymous
Post 03/14/2026 19:53     Subject: Arlington ECNL Boys Coaches
Anonymous wrote:I will say that I felt there was a good deal of disappointing politics and favoritism from some of these guys that I thought were better than that in choosing one particularly ECNL team. Pretty sure it will result in exits next year, including in younger ranks because the façade is gone. Not a flame just something the club should know.


Which ECNL team?
Anonymous
Post 03/14/2026 18:30     Subject: Arlington ECNL Boys Coaches
I will say that I felt there was a good deal of disappointing politics and favoritism from some of these guys that I thought were better than that in choosing one particularly ECNL team. Pretty sure it will result in exits next year, including in younger ranks because the façade is gone. Not a flame just something the club should know.
Anonymous
Post 03/13/2026 00:04     Subject: Re:Arlington ECNL Boys Coaches
Our experience - Arlington boys coaches are very solid and just as important for many families the TD and older boys coaches are largely plugged into college coaches in a way that is incredibly helpful come HS. It’s like night and day from many other MLS and ECNL clubs in VA like Alexandria/SYC/NVA/VDA in terms of college support/connections.

Arlington players get recruited for college whether teams do well or not. That is due to the coaches. Most of the players don’t want to go pro (if they do they move from Arlington to DCU or other academies by U15 if they are good enough ). The ones who remain at Arlington or transfer in are looking for college placement, while also being able to play HS ball. The Arlington coach track record here is among the best of the NOVA clubs on that front.