Listen to the posters that talk about going to some training/ID sessions and watching some games. Make sure you ask if the coach they interact with will actually be the coach next year and for a few years to come. Consider watching some games. Generally ECNL teams/league will provide more exposure than GA (now that DA is defunct), but there are some teams left in GA (like FCV) that still get good exposure.

Also - those are the three best teams at the 07 age group.

Recent results / upcoming matches if you want to watch:
Loudoun beat McLean 2-0 in league play in the fall and play them again in Apr. 10
Both Loudoun and TSJFCV 07s are playing in the Loudoun Showcase next weekend. They are playing up an age in the 06 bracket. Not against each other however. But 07 TSJFCV is playing the 06 Loudoun ECNL team.

So no need to go to Richmond to see all three teams play.

Honestly, Arlington is the best program for girls, then McLean.

McLean’s only 30 person roster is current U19 because they had a lot of young 02s on last year’s team. 04,05,06 teams all look to have between 21-23 players. Talk on this forum about 30 person rosters being the norm at McLean is false

Anonymous wrote:Loudoun 07 team is the top performing NOVA team and the coach is very good. The McLean 07 team is also very good but results haven’t been quite as strong as Loudoun at that one age group. McLean ECNL coaching across the board is excellent and has a track record of placing players at top schools. FCV has been strong at older ages but the GA/ECNL power dynamics have shifted against them. Expect that to bring instability to their teams that they haven’t seen in the last 5 years.

Spot on.

Anonymous wrote:Only thing I would caution against with McLean is super large roster size. If your DD is going to be a top player on that team than no worries but if they are middle of the pack you will likely find yourself frustrated. Right now team has 18 but look at rosters from 06 and older. Teams just get bigger and bigger. Once the girls get to Nadir expect to have a 30 person roster. I'm not kidding. My DD is on one of his teams and its exactly as I was warned years ago.

This! If a regular starter then great club and team. If not, enjoy frustration and EDP.

30 is way too many when only 18 can go to any given ECNL game. I understand a roster of 22 or so for injuries but 30 is a money grab.

McLean players not rostered for ECNL games are rostered for EDP games. Also unfortunately many injuries in the later high school years so it is good to have numbers.

Anonymous wrote:^^^Question-Do the same girls sit each week on the 30 person McLean roster or do they at least play for Green team or an EDP league so they get game time?

There are the regular starters and the rest rotate. EDP games are used to substitute so girls can get film for recruiting. It's not a great situation. There are girls who should be in college but had seasons canceled who were invited back to the older team and I hear take lots of the playtime. Very frustrating.

^^^Question-Do the same girls sit each week on the 30 person McLean roster or do they at least play for Green team or an EDP league so they get game time?

Only thing I would caution against with McLean is super large roster size. If your DD is going to be a top player on that team than no worries but if they are middle of the pack you will likely find yourself frustrated. Right now team has 18 but look at rosters from 06 and older. Teams just get bigger and bigger. Once the girls get to Nadir expect to have a 30 person roster. I'm not kidding. My DD is on one of his teams and its exactly as I was warned years ago.

Loudoun 07 team is the top performing NOVA team and the coach is very good. The McLean 07 team is also very good but results haven’t been quite as strong as Loudoun at that one age group. McLean ECNL coaching across the board is excellent and has a track record of placing players at top schools. FCV has been strong at older ages but the GA/ECNL power dynamics have shifted against them. Expect that to bring instability to their teams that they haven’t seen in the last 5 years.

Anonymous wrote:New to the area. My daughter (currently U14) played on ECNL team outside of VA and we're looking for a new team. Mainly looking at FCV and McLean because of proximity, national rankings (top drawer), seeing them play in a few tournaments. Considerations are GA vs. ECNL. FCV seems to be a small club but have heard good things about coaches (Bobby and Christian?) and they do well in every age group 07 and up. McLean has more resources, is in ECNL, but teams don't rank as well. My daughter hopes to play in college and beyond and main objective is to find good training, strong competition, mentorship. Recommendations would be appreciated.

If you can swing it, Jeff Cup (Richmond) is coming up in March (13-14) for the U14s. Many of the top teams in the area are playing down there, so you can get a good look at the teams in a highly competitive arena in the best girls tournament around.

Anonymous wrote:Why waste your time with FCV or McLean?!? Just go straight to the very best 07 girls team in the DC Metro region: Loudoun's 07 ECNL team! The whole team is just a phone call away from the WNT roster and if you don't believe that, some of their parents will be along shortly to inform your ignorance!

And here you're starting to see that 80% I referred to earlier......

Not sure who will be coaching next year, but Coach Geraldo at Arlington in very good.

Why waste your time with FCV or McLean?!? Just go straight to the very best 07 girls team in the DC Metro region: Loudoun's 07 ECNL team! The whole team is just a phone call away from the WNT roster and if you don't believe that, some of their parents will be along shortly to inform your ignorance!