Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can this thread keep on moving from Bethesda not allowing the 2016s play in the summer to Sal and Achilles? Whoever is pushing that is just making the 2016s wanting to learn more about Achilles

People are so juvenile. Achilles came up along with Coppermine as two of the majors clubs that have emerged over the past 10 years that traditionally sent kids directly to Bethesda. A poster was explaining why Bethesda is not developing super teams anymore. The very next comment discredited Achilles and then a few comments started in that direction.

We are at BSC. We also like Achilles and train with Achilles players and Coach Vinn periodically. I feel fortunate to have two great programs in my backyard.

I am pretty sure most DCUM parents cannot handle the F-you mentality of Sal and Vinn at Achilles anyway. They will clutch their pearls when they see there is no first team and earn your spot week after week by how you practice.

True. Plus this thread, and all threads involving Achilles FC (or those threads with a geographic nexus to Achilles FC) get trolled by a single parent who’s son didn’t make the initial cut to the MLSNext team a couple years ago. It’s so annoying but you’ll notice it time and time again.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s one question I’ve always had about Achilles. You can say winning isn’t important but getting crushed constantly isn’t enjoyable and can’t be fun for the players.

Achilles FC U13 team played in the MLSNEXT Cup playoffs two weeks ago. Won in the round of 32, won in the round of 16, and made it to the quarterfinals. MLS’ own QoP ranked them 9 out of 18 teams last season (higher than another Maryland-based team). From what I hear, the players had a blast.

Not playoffs. 2nd bracket.

2nd bracket, yes. What’s your point? Still playoffs. You know, win one game and advance to the next round. Lose one and you’re out.

Try to keep up.

The point was adding details that it was the 2nd bracket and not the top bracket

Still a playoff bracket against 32 other MLSNext teams. Not the “showcase” where most other teams played regardless of making the actual tournament.

For a club that gets “crushed constantly” as you say, yet they made the playoff component of the MLSNext Cup.

Try again next year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son plays for a top BSC team. He guest plays all the time and we just operate on a don't ask, don't tell policy. At least half his team does the same. Never when there is a direct BSC conflict, but they don't play more than 5-6 tournaments a year, so there are tons of other opportunities and he likes to get to play in other tournaments. I'm paying them, not the other way around, so as far as I am concerned my son can do whatever he wants.

How do you get your card to play? We are new to BSC this year and our coach approved guesting but the paperwork said different. I was not going to worry about it until all of this came up. We won’t commit to anything that conflicts with the club.

Would love to know the answer to this question. My DC also plays for first team Bethesda and in the past just asked the coach for the card since as pp said we pay the club not other way around. Moving forward not every coach is going to be willing to do this. I have heard from some Bethesda parents that they created new cards under another association/organization but don’t know how that works

My advice would be to start with the guest club and make sure you understand exactly what they need. If you have to have your club card you should feel out your coach. I know many of the BSC coaches are not close to the Directors, nor do they respect them. Your coach may have no problem sharing your player card but you should be discreet to avoid causing him or her any issues with BSC. Unfortunately, being direct and honest with the club will only cause conflict and repercussions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can this thread keep on moving from Bethesda not allowing the 2016s play in the summer to Sal and Achilles? Whoever is pushing that is just making the 2016s wanting to learn more about Achilles

People are so juvenile. Achilles came up along with Coppermine as two of the majors clubs that have emerged over the past 10 years that traditionally sent kids directly to Bethesda. A poster was explaining why Bethesda is not developing super teams anymore. The very next comment discredited Achilles and then a few comments started in that direction.

We are at BSC. We also like Achilles and train with Achilles players and Coach Vinn periodically. I feel fortunate to have two great programs in my backyard.

I am pretty sure most DCUM parents cannot handle the F-you mentality of Sal and Vinn at Achilles anyway. They will clutch their pearls when they see there is no first team and earn your spot week after week by how you practice.

Clubs aren't sending kids anywhere.
Parents are making decisions where they want their kids to be

What's the soccer value of coaches cursing and swearing at young kids?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good point, playing up to get slaughtered is no better than playing down to do the slaughtering.

One sure kills confidence and demoralize

I have a slightly older Achilles kid. He’s been on the underage teams and been trounced. But he never lost confidence in his team, loves his teammates and the club, and those play up and get beat years are often followed by very strong years where those same players confidence soars on age.

Good Disney movie script

Been at Achilles ~8 years and while it's true that Sal will say that you have to earn your spot at practice every week, the teams and starters are pretty stable (you will occasionally see someone from the B team get moved up to the top team or someone be pulled up to play above age, particularly at the younger ages, or more frequently see someone who has been coming off the bench earn a starting spot, but it's not like there is significant changes and turnover week to week). But the "you must earn your spot every day" attitude does translate into a pretty competitive environment at practice. It may not be for everyone but my kid loves it (someone on a thread a while back referred to Achilles training as the Squid Games and my son found that pretty hilarious and then said: "well, it's not wrong...").

People are curious about Achilles because the leadership at BSC seems so misguided. We’re all just trying to do what’s best for our kids. But we have senior directors at BSC who threaten families with expulsion because they’re afraid players will leave after being exposed to different clubs? I haven’t seen one comment supporting the club’s position on guest playing, it’s counterproductive for all involved. I’ve also seen many DCU Academy players out and about playing futsal, outside tournaments, etc. The only professional club in the area doesn’t seem as paranoid BSC.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son plays for a top BSC team. He guest plays all the time and we just operate on a don't ask, don't tell policy. At least half his team does the same. Never when there is a direct BSC conflict, but they don't play more than 5-6 tournaments a year, so there are tons of other opportunities and he likes to get to play in other tournaments. I'm paying them, not the other way around, so as far as I am concerned my son can do whatever he wants.

How do you get your card to play? We are new to BSC this year and our coach approved guesting but the paperwork said different. I was not going to worry about it until all of this came up. We won’t commit to anything that conflicts with the club.

Would love to know the answer to this question. My DC also plays for first team Bethesda and in the past just asked the coach for the card since as pp said we pay the club not other way around. Moving forward not every coach is going to be willing to do this. I have heard from some Bethesda parents that they created new cards under another association/organization but don’t know how that works

Yeah that would give me a heart attack. You don’t do it in pro sports, you don’t do it and European youth system, nobody does that anymore. It’s trash.

Anonymous wrote:How can this thread keep on moving from Bethesda not allowing the 2016s play in the summer to Sal and Achilles? Whoever is pushing that is just making the 2016s wanting to learn more about Achilles

People are so juvenile. Achilles came up along with Coppermine as two of the majors clubs that have emerged over the past 10 years that traditionally sent kids directly to Bethesda. A poster was explaining why Bethesda is not developing super teams anymore. The very next comment discredited Achilles and then a few comments started in that direction.

We are at BSC. We also like Achilles and train with Achilles players and Coach Vinn periodically. I feel fortunate to have two great programs in my backyard.

I am pretty sure most DCUM parents cannot handle the F-you mentality of Sal and Vinn at Achilles anyway. They will clutch their pearls when they see there is no first team and earn your spot week after week by how you practice.

How can this thread keep on moving from Bethesda not allowing the 2016s play in the summer to Sal and Achilles? Whoever is pushing that is just making the 2016s wanting to learn more about Achilles

Anonymous wrote:The code of conduct they falsified last year?

Anonymous wrote:To BSCs point, it is in their player code of conduct:
https://www.bethesdasoccer.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-25-_Boys-and-Girls-YDP_PlayerPackets_2.pdf

YDP here. Same language for ECNL/MLSN

That’s the one!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good point, playing up to get slaughtered is no better than playing down to do the slaughtering.

One sure kills confidence and demoralize

I have a slightly older Achilles kid. He’s been on the underage teams and been trounced. But he never lost confidence in his team, loves his teammates and the club, and those play up and get beat years are often followed by very strong years where those same players confidence soars on age.

Anonymous wrote:My son plays for a top BSC team. He guest plays all the time and we just operate on a don't ask, don't tell policy. At least half his team does the same. Never when there is a direct BSC conflict, but they don't play more than 5-6 tournaments a year, so there are tons of other opportunities and he likes to get to play in other tournaments. I'm paying them, not the other way around, so as far as I am concerned my son can do whatever he wants.

How do you get your card to play? We are new to BSC this year and our coach approved guesting but the paperwork said different. I was not going to worry about it until all of this came up. We won’t commit to anything that conflicts with the club.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s one question I’ve always had about Achilles. You can say winning isn’t important but getting crushed constantly isn’t enjoyable and can’t be fun for the players.

Achilles FC U13 team played in the MLSNEXT Cup playoffs two weeks ago. Won in the round of 32, won in the round of 16, and made it to the quarterfinals. MLS’ own QoP ranked them 9 out of 18 teams last season (higher than another Maryland-based team). From what I hear, the players had a blast.

Not playoffs. 2nd bracket.

2nd bracket, yes. What’s your point? Still playoffs. You know, win one game and advance to the next round. Lose one and you’re out.

Try to keep up.

The point was adding details that it was the 2nd bracket and not the top bracket