Anonymous wrote:My son plays for Villarreal and it’s been the best experience he has ever had playing soccer. His coach truly cares, the program overall cares about developing players, and kids have a fair opportunity to move up (and down) based on their skill and dedication.
He is U—16 and has played for numerous programs and coaches since he started playing travel what seems like a decade ago.
We have been told his coach is returning and I don’t know of any players that are leaving. I couldn’t name a single player or parent that doesn’t respect and adore the coach. How often can you say that in this area?
We’ve also heard that both the ABGC and Villarreal entities will be coming out with a joint statement soon. Sounds like there is some sort of resolution and soccer will go on.
In any case, no matter the outcome, if the team remains Villarreal or goes back to being Annandale, we will return. In the end, it’s all about coaches, if your child is having fun, and if a player has college aspirations, are they getting the exposure they desire.
My son has received all of that. To write off an entire program based on some internal squabble sounds more like a competing program trying to undercut Villarreal or a parent with a personal ax to grind.
As with any situation, I recommend basing your opinion on your own experience. We’ve had terrible experiences with other ‘name’ programs including some mentioned on this thread. We’ve also had players come over to Villarreal mid season from some of the teams mentioned here. Players move around all the time if they aren’t getting playing time at one team, don’t like the coach they play for, etc.
Hope any parent reading this doesn’t base a decision on rumor and innuendo and gives the program a chance. We did and it’s been the best decision we’ve ever made.
Found Bo Amato