Whether you like it or not it is effective and it takes discipline. I applaud the club for sticking to a curriculum like this when parents have no clue (including myself at the time) of why they are opting for this style

Yes, it seems effective now that my child is on one of the top two teams, but it was never effective before. It could be that it becomes more effective anyway as kids get older and more experienced. I don't know. It could be that the club is doing the right thing by everyone in sticking to and opting for the style. It would be better if individual coaches could communicate that rationale to parents, which never happened for us. YMMV. Anyway, we have stuck with the club and it has worked out in the end for us too.

Any word on offers? Have white or blue offers gone out yet?

My kid is rising U17. been playing the Alexandria way for years now. It was painful to watch at the younger ages and we often gave the ball up deep in our defensive zone. As time progressed and the players matured and their skills developed they mastered the possession and it was on display game after game after game. I heard other teams complement them and the style of play. No other team we played against had such a refined style of play. Its gotten better and better each year.

Whether you like it or not it is effective and it takes discipline. I applaud the club for sticking to a curriculum like this when parents have no clue (including myself at the time) of why they are opting for this style

I have a son at Arlington and always appreciated Alexandria's style. I actually think it gives your club the chance to compete with clubs that might be more athletic. At least at u13 and below where the other players don't think strategically and just run around playing chase.


Hmm. I am the poster who raised my concerns with only this style of play. What we found was, since they play from the back, when teams are outmatched by more athletic kids, they get trapped from the back. It started no longer being an issue when my child improved and moved up to a higher level (and more athletic) team.

Sorry, trapped in the back near their own goal, not from the back.

I have a son at Arlington and always appreciated Alexandria's style. I actually think it gives your club the chance to compete with clubs that might be more athletic. At least at u13 and below where the other players don't think strategically and just run around playing chase.

Hmm. I am the poster who raised my concerns with only this style of play. What we found was, since they play from the back, when teams are outmatched by more athletic kids, they get trapped from the back. It started no longer being an issue when my child improved and moved up to a higher level (and more athletic) team.

Hi, I’m the previous poster. Because my kids no longer play soccer (graduated), but since I live in the area I follow and generally support youth clubs. Alexandria has come a long way, and when it comes to teaching the game they’re the best club in the city.


You’re expertise is duly noted. Thanks for your insight and well argued opinion. Please go back to the nannie lee center and inventory corner flags.

My son plays for Alexandria and we like it, but as far as I'm aware they are the only club in the city of Alexandria. So of course they are the best.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you know it’s a fantastic club as an outsider?

Alexandria back to self promoting on DCUM.

Hi, I’m the previous poster. Because my kids no longer play soccer (graduated), but since I live in the area I follow and generally support youth clubs. Alexandria has come a long way, and when it comes to teaching the game they’re the best club in the city.

You’re expertise is duly noted. Thanks for your insight and well argued opinion. Please go back to the nannie lee center and inventory corner flags.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you know it’s a fantastic club as an outsider?

Alexandria back to self promoting on DCUM.

Hi, I’m the previous poster. Because my kids no longer play soccer (graduated), but since I live in the area I follow and generally support youth clubs. Alexandria has come a long way, and when it comes to teaching the game they’re the best club in the city.

I have a son at Arlington and always appreciated Alexandria's style. I actually think it gives your club the chance to compete with clubs that might be more athletic. At least at u13 and below where the other players don't think strategically and just run around playing chase.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So for most expansion years, you'd be looking at 2-4 spots being open to move into. During normal tryouts these would be contested by outside players as well.

However, these are not normal times so the challenge is going to be proper placement of outside players. There are bound to be some feelings hurt over some of these choices!


Yeah, that is tough. My child has a friend who has never played travel before who is seeking a spot, and her family is very concerned about proper placement. I hope things work out the way she hopes!


As an outsider looking in, Alexandria is a fantastic club.

We've been mostly happy with it, but more so as our child has improved, become more athletic, and moved up teams. It isn't that the coaches were bad on lower-level teams - they were good. The problem is that the possession style of play doesn't work great if the team is up against a more athletic, aggressive team. It works well when the teams are more evenly matched.

This is common when clubs only focus on one style of play. I wish they would teach all the styles and when it’s appropriate to use them.

Teaching one style of play is hard enough.

Anonymous wrote:

So for most expansion years, you'd be looking at 2-4 spots being open to move into. During normal tryouts these would be contested by outside players as well.

However, these are not normal times so the challenge is going to be proper placement of outside players. There are bound to be some feelings hurt over some of these choices!


Yeah, that is tough. My child has a friend who has never played travel before who is seeking a spot, and her family is very concerned about proper placement. I hope things work out the way she hopes!


As an outsider looking in, Alexandria is a fantastic club.

We've been mostly happy with it, but more so as our child has improved, become more athletic, and moved up teams. It isn't that the coaches were bad on lower-level teams - they were good. The problem is that the possession style of play doesn't work great if the team is up against a more athletic, aggressive team. It works well when the teams are more evenly matched.

This is common when clubs only focus on one style of play. I wish they would teach all the styles and when it’s appropriate to use them.

So for most expansion years, you'd be looking at 2-4 spots being open to move into. During normal tryouts these would be contested by outside players as well.

However, these are not normal times so the challenge is going to be proper placement of outside players. There are bound to be some feelings hurt over some of these choices!


Yeah, that is tough. My child has a friend who has never played travel before who is seeking a spot, and her family is very concerned about proper placement. I hope things work out the way she hopes!


As an outsider looking in, Alexandria is a fantastic club.

We've been mostly happy with it, but more so as our child has improved, become more athletic, and moved up teams. It isn't that the coaches were bad on lower-level teams - they were good. The problem is that the possession style of play doesn't work great if the team is up against a more athletic, aggressive team. It works well when the teams are more evenly matched.

Here comes the Tommy Park haters once again.

next up this string will be discussing how Park is paid too much, he owes the money back blah blah blah

Anonymous wrote:How would you know it’s a fantastic club as an outsider?

Alexandria back to self promoting on DCUM.

How would you know it’s a fantastic club as an outsider?