Our son has played at both, BSC and Achilles and note that two of the coaches coached at BSC previously. The primary difference between the two (and many of the other clubs) is that it isn’t a one coach, one team approach. The boys train as a club with mixed ages but will also be broken up into their own age groups depending on the station drills being run. Usually the four coaches are all participating as well. This imparts and reinforces the playing philosophy across the club. The intensity of the training and the level of attention on the development of critical technical elements is what differentiates AFC from others in my opinion.

The best age entry point into the club is as young as possible (7-8).If a player enters in at 12 and is not technically sound (very good ball control, 1-2 touch play) they won’t make it. If your player has always been the most athletic, that doesn’t really matter at AFC and your player will have a tough time acclimating. Winning is desirable of course but not when it sacrifices the way the club requires the teams to play. I don’t see where BSC grooms players more so than it recruits players based upon brand recognition.

NP here, and Achilles parent - I agree with all of this and would add that the top level teams will not be training with the lower level teams unlike at BSC. They also, as a previous poster noted, get additional training time that the lower teams don’t. Also, Sal barely gives the time of day to the lower level teams and is not involved with their training except sometimes at summer camp. The other 3 coaches who are all excellent though (go on the website, it describes their experience) so as another poster said, it doesn’t matter, except to the extent that it may make some kids feel like they are just not good enough in Sal’s opinion. And this might actually be the case, but as another poster noted, how can those kids ever expect to move up if they get less training and never train with kids that are better than they are? Is this any different from the scenario at Bethesda? Not really. Things to consider if your son is thinking about trying out.

Our son has played at both, BSC and Achilles and note that two of the coaches coached at BSC previously. The primary difference between the two (and many of the other clubs) is that it isn’t a one coach, one team approach. The boys train as a club with mixed ages but will also be broken up into their own age groups depending on the station drills being run. Usually the four coaches are all participating as well. This imparts and reinforces the playing philosophy across the club. The intensity of the training and the level of attention on the development of critical technical elements is what differentiates AFC from others in my opinion.

The best age entry point into the club is as young as possible (7-8).If a player enters in at 12 and is not technically sound (very good ball control, 1-2 touch play) they won’t make it. If your player has always been the most athletic, that doesn’t really matter at AFC and your player will have a tough time acclimating. Winning is desirable of course but not when it sacrifices the way the club requires the teams to play. I don’t see where BSC grooms players more so than it recruits players based upon brand recognition.

How would you compare the training and approach at Achilles vs Bethesda?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t see possession-based soccer here. The kids are athletic and play with intensity, but there is a lot of right back booting it all the way down the field to left corner. Lots of long balls. They do well because their kids play with intensity and are athletic. They do have ball skill. But, it is a much more direct style of play. I think many people have no concept of what constitutes possession-based soccer.

This poster is either dishonest or hasn’t watched the older or the most skilled Achilles teams play. Possession is essential to any kid who wants to play, from goalkeepers to defense to midfield to forwards. There are legitimate gripes to address about Achilles, but possession soccer isn’t one (unless you think they are too adamant about it). Achilles possesses, passes and moves with the ball better than any team I’ve seen at the younger ages. This applies even when they’re behind or when a bigger and faster team constantly presses. It’s what they always do, and that’s why they’re just so good at it.

Also, the troll picked the wrong position to use as a made up example of booting it- the right backs on the 06, 07, 08 and 09 teams are among the best players on those very strong teams and are super strong on the ball and at maintaining possession as they repeatedly play out of the back and frustrate their opponents with quality skills and sharp passes.

Sorry coach!

I'm one of the rare Achilles parents who doesn't live for soccer, but if a parent's reply sounds like a "coach" it is because Achilles is a close-knit group of families who have bought in fully to the philosophy of the club. You could say they drank the Kool-Aid, but I get the sense that it is a lot of foreign-born parents who grew up living and breathing soccer and the club jives with the own POV -- kids of different ages playing together, big focus on foot skills and strategy, etc. It is a young club, so many parents feel like they've helped build it. So I don't think it is defensiveness. I think they're quite proud of the progress the club -- and their kid -- has made in such a short time.

Thank you for that. I'm one of the Achilles parents who posted before and who's very into soccer. Our family is very happy with the club and what it's becoming, and the training and game philosophies and coaches personalities and families involved are a big part of that. That said, I know it's not for everyone. Please come to a practice, game or tryout to make your own decision. But please do so for other teams too. You and your kid will know what's going to work for you very quickly once you compare a few teams practicing up close. It might be Achilles and it might not- but it's about finding a good fit for your family and given the time and money demands of travel soccer, you owe it to yourself to be informed going in.

Also, your son (or daughter because it would be great to have some strong girls in the mix beyond just summer camps) will probably know right away too whether it's the right environment for them.

Of course he should tryout. Why shouldn’t he be exposed to other levels of competition? If he’s a strong player, it will push him to work harder or stay with where he’s comfortable.

And Achilles Dad/Mom/Coach, I'm just busting balls. I don't know your club but it is nice to hear that there are people who are happy where they are for a change. I'm still never going to sit in a room alone with any of you or watch any video or eat with you though, just as a precaution.

Anonymous wrote:Sigh. This is why we don't talk about fight club.

Hahahhahaah

Sigh. This is why we don't talk about fight club.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t see possession-based soccer here. The kids are athletic and play with intensity, but there is a lot of right back booting it all the way down the field to left corner. Lots of long balls. They do well because their kids play with intensity and are athletic. They do have ball skill. But, it is a much more direct style of play. I think many people have no concept of what constitutes possession-based soccer.

This poster is either dishonest or hasn’t watched the older or the most skilled Achilles teams play. Possession is essential to any kid who wants to play, from goalkeepers to defense to midfield to forwards. There are legitimate gripes to address about Achilles, but possession soccer isn’t one (unless you think they are too adamant about it). Achilles possesses, passes and moves with the ball better than any team I’ve seen at the younger ages. This applies even when they’re behind or when a bigger and faster team constantly presses. It’s what they always do, and that’s why they’re just so good at it.

Also, the troll picked the wrong position to use as a made up example of booting it- the right backs on the 06, 07, 08 and 09 teams are among the best players on those very strong teams and are super strong on the ball and at maintaining possession as they repeatedly play out of the back and frustrate their opponents with quality skills and sharp passes.

Sorry coach!

I'm one of the rare Achilles parents who doesn't live for soccer, but if a parent's reply sounds like a "coach" it is because Achilles is a close-knit group of families who have bought in fully to the philosophy of the club. You could say they drank the Kool-Aid, but I get the sense that it is a lot of foreign-born parents who grew up living and breathing soccer and the club jives with the own POV -- kids of different ages playing together, big focus on foot skills and strategy, etc. It is a young club, so many parents feel like they've helped build it. So I don't think it is defensiveness. I think they're quite proud of the progress the club -- and their kid -- has made in such a short time.

Ummmmm, Ok......... so Achilles is the L. Ron Hubbard of soccer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t see possession-based soccer here. The kids are athletic and play with intensity, but there is a lot of right back booting it all the way down the field to left corner. Lots of long balls. They do well because their kids play with intensity and are athletic. They do have ball skill. But, it is a much more direct style of play. I think many people have no concept of what constitutes possession-based soccer.

This poster is either dishonest or hasn’t watched the older or the most skilled Achilles teams play. Possession is essential to any kid who wants to play, from goalkeepers to defense to midfield to forwards. There are legitimate gripes to address about Achilles, but possession soccer isn’t one (unless you think they are too adamant about it). Achilles possesses, passes and moves with the ball better than any team I’ve seen at the younger ages. This applies even when they’re behind or when a bigger and faster team constantly presses. It’s what they always do, and that’s why they’re just so good at it.

Also, the troll picked the wrong position to use as a made up example of booting it- the right backs on the 06, 07, 08 and 09 teams are among the best players on those very strong teams and are super strong on the ball and at maintaining possession as they repeatedly play out of the back and frustrate their opponents with quality skills and sharp passes.

Sorry coach!

I'm one of the rare Achilles parents who doesn't live for soccer, but if a parent's reply sounds like a "coach" it is because Achilles is a close-knit group of families who have bought in fully to the philosophy of the club. You could say they drank the Kool-Aid, but I get the sense that it is a lot of foreign-born parents who grew up living and breathing soccer and the club jives with the own POV -- kids of different ages playing together, big focus on foot skills and strategy, etc. It is a young club, so many parents feel like they've helped build it. So I don't think it is defensiveness. I think they're quite proud of the progress the club -- and their kid -- has made in such a short time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son has played for Achilles for 3 years, since its inception. It’s a club for soccer families, not more casual rec players or those whose primary sport is something else. If (A) your son really loves the game, is willing to work very hard, and (B) you appreciate that intense technical training and a fun, supportive playing environment are far more important than whether a young kid is on a “top” team, then definitely have him come to the tryouts.

At Achilles, my son has played on the “top” teams and sometimes not. It’s all about where he needs to be at what time. All of the kids get the best training possible regardless, since there are only 4 coaches and they share coaching responsibilities across teams, also during winter and summer training. Sal mainly coaches the teams that play in the higher EDP divisions but not always, and it just doesn’t even matter. All of the coaches are excellent. The coaches will look for a kid with enthusiasm and potential. They know that many of the “best” players and those in higher playing divisions now will not be the best as they get older, everyone gets more training, and physicality evens out. It makes parents feel better if their kid is on a “top” team but this is NOT what matters at Achilles. The coaches put the kids where they should be. Team rosters change from season to season,, and frequently from game to game as the previous poster mentioned, but this latter aspect might not be the model moving forward. Either way, your son will either make the club or not, but he’ll never know unless he tries!

The reason it matters if you son is on the top team is because that is the team that gets focus and resources. The club honors it’s commitment for 3 practices a week all three seasons only for the top teams. The rest get 1-2 (but paid the same fees). Do you think the coaches believes the kids it is only providing 1-2 practices for will be advanced over kids ithat have 3 practices? Obviously the answer is no and it tells you what it thinks of those kids. On top of more practices some of the top teams get more games because they play in multiple leagues. The suggestion that the club it doesn’t care about winning at young ages only development also is bunk. It sits young kids for games and plays kids who don’t come to practice. The club has decided which players it likes and everyone is revenue.

Sounds a lot like Bethesda Soccer Club, but on a smaller scale,

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t see possession-based soccer here. The kids are athletic and play with intensity, but there is a lot of right back booting it all the way down the field to left corner. Lots of long balls. They do well because their kids play with intensity and are athletic. They do have ball skill. But, it is a much more direct style of play. I think many people have no concept of what constitutes possession-based soccer.

This poster is either dishonest or hasn’t watched the older or the most skilled Achilles teams play. Possession is essential to any kid who wants to play, from goalkeepers to defense to midfield to forwards. There are legitimate gripes to address about Achilles, but possession soccer isn’t one (unless you think they are too adamant about it). Achilles possesses, passes and moves with the ball better than any team I’ve seen at the younger ages. This applies even when they’re behind or when a bigger and faster team constantly presses. It’s what they always do, and that’s why they’re just so good at it.

Also, the troll picked the wrong position to use as a made up example of booting it- the right backs on the 06, 07, 08 and 09 teams are among the best players on those very strong teams and are super strong on the ball and at maintaining possession as they repeatedly play out of the back and frustrate their opponents with quality skills and sharp passes.

Sorry coach!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t see possession-based soccer here. The kids are athletic and play with intensity, but there is a lot of right back booting it all the way down the field to left corner. Lots of long balls. They do well because their kids play with intensity and are athletic. They do have ball skill. But, it is a much more direct style of play. I think many people have no concept of what constitutes possession-based soccer.

This poster is either dishonest or hasn’t watched the older or the most skilled Achilles teams play. Possession is essential to any kid who wants to play, from goalkeepers to defense to midfield to forwards. There are legitimate gripes to address about Achilles, but possession soccer isn’t one (unless you think they are too adamant about it). Achilles possesses, passes and moves with the ball better than any team I’ve seen at the younger ages. This applies even when they’re behind or when a bigger and faster team constantly presses. It’s what they always do, and that’s why they’re just so good at it.

Also, the troll picked the wrong position to use as a made up example of booting it- the right backs on the 06, 07, 08 and 09 teams are among the best players on those very strong teams and are super strong on the ball and at maintaining possession as they repeatedly play out of the back and frustrate their opponents with quality skills and sharp passes.

Someone touched a nerve

Anonymous wrote:I don’t see possession-based soccer here. The kids are athletic and play with intensity, but there is a lot of right back booting it all the way down the field to left corner. Lots of long balls. They do well because their kids play with intensity and are athletic. They do have ball skill. But, it is a much more direct style of play. I think many people have no concept of what constitutes possession-based soccer.

This poster is either dishonest or hasn’t watched the older or the most skilled Achilles teams play. Possession is essential to any kid who wants to play, from goalkeepers to defense to midfield to forwards. There are legitimate gripes to address about Achilles, but possession soccer isn’t one (unless you think they are too adamant about it). Achilles possesses, passes and moves with the ball better than any team I’ve seen at the younger ages. This applies even when they’re behind or when a bigger and faster team constantly presses. It’s what they always do, and that’s why they’re just so good at it.

Also, the troll picked the wrong position to use as a made up example of booting it- the right backs on the 06, 07, 08 and 09 teams are among the best players on those very strong teams and are super strong on the ball and at maintaining possession as they repeatedly play out of the back and frustrate their opponents with quality skills and sharp passes.

I saw their U11 play a very good game of possession-based soccer with many passes and moving triangles. They eventually got beat by a much more physically stronger team, but the style of play (until they went down a goal) looked very nice.