Not sure who the bashers are. My kid trained under NM and his DMV staff for more than six years. We also have experience with other local elite clubs. I literally had a parent tell me that NM was hands down the best girls coach in the area and he was a college coach who had coached his daughter thru u15 at another local ECNL club and he moved her to McLean. She was YNT player who ended up at an elite ACC program.

People have different preferences and NM might not be the best fit for some but there are just too many players who developed under NM to say anything other than he does a great job developing kids for the next level.

Re: recruiting, every club needs to recruit. I don't believe the SYC deal brought major numbers to McLean nor do I believe that the JV was done for the benefit of the Mclean ECNL Girls. My daughter's team added one SYC player and I think that player will tell you that playing under NM improved her game.

RP and KB will both be exposed soon enough.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any one have feed back as how Matt Lee as a coach? Yeller? Possession style or direct ball type of coach? Etc

Probably one of the most underrated coaches in the area. Saying "possession style" is an understatement. He teaches the proper team/positional fundamentals towards possession soccer. He is not a yeller, he is demanding but emotionally intelligent and is a great teacher.

ML is average. Agree with all the finer points about his temperment. Those are qualities most coaches don't have even if they are "winning" coaches and help you remember that these are young girls we are talking about. From a footballing perspective, he is not a posession coach, or at least his teams can't play that way, yet. His recruiting or lack there of is the bigger concern, he's losing more players than he is briging in for the sake of developlemt of a core group. That's unheard of in a competive ECNL standpoint especially at McLean. GFR might be a better fit actually, less competitive, more development time without having to compete at ECNL level.

That's a really odd assessment. Seems like you have a bad experience with him. Also your points don't add up. Recruitment does not equal development. What even is a "possession" coach" These are U14 players, they are not going to look like barcelona.

Reading is comprehension. Most of the comment was a compliment, anyhow lets break this down for the trolls. To compete at MLS/ECNL level club coaches need to add talent each year. Clubs like McLean are lucky enough where talent comes to them. Despite this, his teams have not added any significant players and in fact have lost players so his recruitment/retention is what was questioned. Development, I don't know, don't expect that from MLS/ECNL coaches, winning is what you are paying for, everything else is on your DC and your willingness to put in your own sweat equity or pay a trainer; and lots of pick-up. Of course u14 teams can play possession soccer, very silly comment, see HUDL ECNL page for video evidence. In fact save yourself some time and just look at the teams that made it to Richmond, as early as u13 most teams are playing possession soccer or at least trying to, Solar being the most successful exception.

Let me try to open up your perspective...

1. U14 is about to finish off the 2nd ECNL season. They have had one summer of recruitment. Players don't start switching aggressively until around High School age.
2. If you are not expecting or demanding development from your ECNL coach, you need to move teams. Winning is definitely not what you should be paying for. Winning comes along with good development and recruitment.
3. You do realize playing possession soccer requires extremely technical and top players both from a skill and athletic level. Solar is dominant because there are not 25+ teams in a 20 mile radius like here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any one have feed back as how Matt Lee as a coach? Yeller? Possession style or direct ball type of coach? Etc

Probably one of the most underrated coaches in the area. Saying "possession style" is an understatement. He teaches the proper team/positional fundamentals towards possession soccer. He is not a yeller, he is demanding but emotionally intelligent and is a great teacher.

ML is average. Agree with all the finer points about his temperment. Those are qualities most coaches don't have even if they are "winning" coaches and help you remember that these are young girls we are talking about. From a footballing perspective, he is not a posession coach, or at least his teams can't play that way, yet. His recruiting or lack there of is the bigger concern, he's losing more players than he is briging in for the sake of developlemt of a core group. That's unheard of in a competive ECNL standpoint especially at McLean. GFR might be a better fit actually, less competitive, more development time without having to compete at ECNL level.

That's a really odd assessment. Seems like you have a bad experience with him. Also your points don't add up. Recruitment does not equal development. What even is a "possession" coach" These are U14 players, they are not going to look like barcelona.

Reading is comprehension. Most of the comment was a compliment, anyhow lets break this down for the trolls. To compete at MLS/ECNL level club coaches need to add talent each year. Clubs like McLean are lucky enough where talent comes to them. Despite this, his teams have not added any significant players and in fact have lost players so his recruitment/retention is what was questioned. Development, I don't know, don't expect that from MLS/ECNL coaches, winning is what you are paying for, everything else is on your DC and your willingness to put in your own sweat equity or pay a trainer; and lots of pick-up. Of course u14 teams can play possession soccer, very silly comment, see HUDL ECNL page for video evidence. In fact save yourself some time and just look at the teams that made it to Richmond, as early as u13 most teams are playing possession soccer or at least trying to, Solar being the most successful exception.

Some of the problems with adding talent each year has to do with ego or outside influences. In order to address deficits within a team, the club or coach has to be honest about what they have and if someone could be replaced to improve the performance of the team. Sometimes that's hard because it ends up being a player they believed would fit well and removing them makes them feel like it wasn't a correct decision and accepting that, or it's a player with a loud outside influence.

IMO to much emphasis is put on the top 3 players on a team. Games are won/lost by the depth of players 7-11. What I mean is most clubs can match up with anybody top 3-5 players give or take, but the really good teams are solid 1-11 meaning the 11th best player on a good ECNL team is as good as the lower teams 3-4th best player player....this is what should be focused on...raising the floor with the lower skilled players not raising the roof with the best player in the area...

The best players gonna go to the best teams, all clubs have players 7-11 that could be improved either by training or replacement. Does your DD/DS know where they stand 1-11?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any one have feed back as how Matt Lee as a coach? Yeller? Possession style or direct ball type of coach? Etc

Probably one of the most underrated coaches in the area. Saying "possession style" is an understatement. He teaches the proper team/positional fundamentals towards possession soccer. He is not a yeller, he is demanding but emotionally intelligent and is a great teacher.

ML is average. Agree with all the finer points about his temperment. Those are qualities most coaches don't have even if they are "winning" coaches and help you remember that these are young girls we are talking about. From a footballing perspective, he is not a posession coach, or at least his teams can't play that way, yet. His recruiting or lack there of is the bigger concern, he's losing more players than he is briging in for the sake of developlemt of a core group. That's unheard of in a competive ECNL standpoint especially at McLean. GFR might be a better fit actually, less competitive, more development time without having to compete at ECNL level.

That's a really odd assessment. Seems like you have a bad experience with him. Also your points don't add up. Recruitment does not equal development. What even is a "possession" coach" These are U14 players, they are not going to look like barcelona.

Reading is comprehension. Most of the comment was a compliment, anyhow lets break this down for the trolls. To compete at MLS/ECNL level club coaches need to add talent each year. Clubs like McLean are lucky enough where talent comes to them. Despite this, his teams have not added any significant players and in fact have lost players so his recruitment/retention is what was questioned. Development, I don't know, don't expect that from MLS/ECNL coaches, winning is what you are paying for, everything else is on your DC and your willingness to put in your own sweat equity or pay a trainer; and lots of pick-up. Of course u14 teams can play possession soccer, very silly comment, see HUDL ECNL page for video evidence. In fact save yourself some time and just look at the teams that made it to Richmond, as early as u13 most teams are playing possession soccer or at least trying to, Solar being the most successful exception.

Some of the problems with adding talent each year has to do with ego or outside influences. In order to address deficits within a team, the club or coach has to be honest about what they have and if someone could be replaced to improve the performance of the team. Sometimes that's hard because it ends up being a player they believed would fit well and removing them makes them feel like it wasn't a correct decision and accepting that, or it's a player with a loud outside influence.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any one have feed back as how Matt Lee as a coach? Yeller? Possession style or direct ball type of coach? Etc

Probably one of the most underrated coaches in the area. Saying "possession style" is an understatement. He teaches the proper team/positional fundamentals towards possession soccer. He is not a yeller, he is demanding but emotionally intelligent and is a great teacher.

ML is average. Agree with all the finer points about his temperment. Those are qualities most coaches don't have even if they are "winning" coaches and help you remember that these are young girls we are talking about. From a footballing perspective, he is not a posession coach, or at least his teams can't play that way, yet. His recruiting or lack there of is the bigger concern, he's losing more players than he is briging in for the sake of developlemt of a core group. That's unheard of in a competive ECNL standpoint especially at McLean. GFR might be a better fit actually, less competitive, more development time without having to compete at ECNL level.

That's a really odd assessment. Seems like you have a bad experience with him. Also your points don't add up. Recruitment does not equal development. What even is a "possession" coach" These are U14 players, they are not going to look like barcelona.

Reading is comprehension. Most of the comment was a compliment, anyhow lets break this down for the trolls. To compete at MLS/ECNL level club coaches need to add talent each year. Clubs like McLean are lucky enough where talent comes to them. Despite this, his teams have not added any significant players and in fact have lost players so his recruitment/retention is what was questioned. Development, I don't know, don't expect that from MLS/ECNL coaches, winning is what you are paying for, everything else is on your DC and your willingness to put in your own sweat equity or pay a trainer; and lots of pick-up. Of course u14 teams can play possession soccer, very silly comment, see HUDL ECNL page for video evidence. In fact save yourself some time and just look at the teams that made it to Richmond, as early as u13 most teams are playing possession soccer or at least trying to, Solar being the most successful exception.

If a player just doesn't have the athleticism level to be in ecnl no amount of coaching can help them get there. I'd love to see all the more skilled but less athletic players that made it into ecnl under dmvs guidance. Probably none

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any one have feed back as how Matt Lee as a coach? Yeller? Possession style or direct ball type of coach? Etc

Probably one of the most underrated coaches in the area. Saying "possession style" is an understatement. He teaches the proper team/positional fundamentals towards possession soccer. He is not a yeller, he is demanding but emotionally intelligent and is a great teacher.

ML is average. Agree with all the finer points about his temperment. Those are qualities most coaches don't have even if they are "winning" coaches and help you remember that these are young girls we are talking about. From a footballing perspective, he is not a posession coach, or at least his teams can't play that way, yet. His recruiting or lack there of is the bigger concern, he's losing more players than he is briging in for the sake of developlemt of a core group. That's unheard of in a competive ECNL standpoint especially at McLean. GFR might be a better fit actually, less competitive, more development time without having to compete at ECNL level.

That's a really odd assessment. Seems like you have a bad experience with him. Also your points don't add up. Recruitment does not equal development. What even is a "possession" coach" These are U14 players, they are not going to look like barcelona.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are the type of coaches who don't bother coaching players who need more development. Cut and replace instead.

If you are looking for rec soccer, I am sure GFR has a level for you and your kid. If you are looking for serious travel, there is no one better than the DMC leadership. I watched NM and the team at TF take serious and dedicated players with development needs and provide such players with the platform to grow as players. If you are looking for someone to help your kid develop a strong first touch, you don't understand the role of a club coach, especially one coaching elite players. If your player is willing to do their personal work, they can excel under the DMV crew. I watched NM and the DMV team take multiple groups of dedicated and driven players and over four or five years, turn those players into DI/D3 talent and the team into an elite team at the national level. Have experience with other elite clubs in the area.

Why did NM need SYC to prop up Union? NM is a great recruiter. Not a coach. ML is a nice person.

keep in mind the DMV teams in EDP are not the same as the McLean ECNL teams. There is an ocean of difference.
Herndon cut ties with Total Foot and NM when they wanted coaches to report to Herndon and not have apparent conflicts.
How can one feel good about a coach who coaches multiple teams at different levels and clubs all within the same age group, provides side training, and that pay to play isnt what is the dominant decision driver? Apparently Herndon did not like it.
does GFR XD say yes to anyone that gets numbers up?: yes NVU play under our NCSl umbrella, yes Inter Milan play under our NCSL unbrella, yes Metro United play on our fields, yes Deportivo do a camp, yes GD run Super Y, yes GD run futsal, yes parent coaches you can run your own NCSL team, yes, yes, yes so long as you pay. DMV got 9 teams? yes you can be under our umbrella? can swap you in as TD to cover the revenue stuff? It is all a bit of a mess and GFR cannot be accused of overcommunication.
One wonders whether the XD runs any of this by a Board or just does everything on own.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are the type of coaches who don't bother coaching players who need more development. Cut and replace instead.

If you are looking for rec soccer, I am sure GFR has a level for you and your kid. If you are looking for serious travel, there is no one better than the DMC leadership. I watched NM and the team at TF take serious and dedicated players with development needs and provide such players with the platform to grow as players. If you are looking for someone to help your kid develop a strong first touch, you don't understand the role of a club coach, especially one coaching elite players. If your player is willing to do their personal work, they can excel under the DMV crew. I watched NM and the DMV team take multiple groups of dedicated and driven players and over four or five years, turn those players into DI/D3 talent and the team into an elite team at the national level. Have experience with other elite clubs in the area.

Why did NM need SYC to prop up Union? NM is a great recruiter. Not a coach. ML is a nice person.

Anonymous wrote:They are the type of coaches who don't bother coaching players who need more development. Cut and replace instead.

If you are looking for rec soccer, I am sure GFR has a level for you and your kid. If you are looking for serious travel, there is no one better than the DMC leadership. I watched NM and the team at TF take serious and dedicated players with development needs and provide such players with the platform to grow as players. If you are looking for someone to help your kid develop a strong first touch, you don't understand the role of a club coach, especially one coaching elite players. If your player is willing to do their personal work, they can excel under the DMV crew. I watched NM and the DMV team take multiple groups of dedicated and driven players and over four or five years, turn those players into DI/D3 talent and the team into an elite team at the national level. Have experience with other elite clubs in the area.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any one have feed back as how Matt Lee as a coach? Yeller? Possession style or direct ball type of coach? Etc

Probably one of the most underrated coaches in the area. Saying "possession style" is an understatement. He teaches the proper team/positional fundamentals towards possession soccer. He is not a yeller, he is demanding but emotionally intelligent and is a great teacher.

ML is average. Agree with all the finer points about his temperment. Those are qualities most coaches don't have even if they are "winning" coaches and help you remember that these are young girls we are talking about. From a footballing perspective, he is not a posession coach, or at least his teams can't play that way, yet. His recruiting or lack there of is the bigger concern, he's losing more players than he is briging in for the sake of developlemt of a core group. That's unheard of in a competive ECNL standpoint especially at McLean. GFR might be a better fit actually, less competitive, more development time without having to compete at ECNL level.

Anonymous wrote:They are the type of coaches who don't bother coaching players who need more development. Cut and replace instead.

This is probably your experience is you have them as ECNL coaches, probably different for lower club.

They are the type of coaches who don't bother coaching players who need more development. Cut and replace instead.

Anonymous wrote:Do we know if all of the DMV coaching staff will move to GFR? Seems like all of these changes will cause movement with players and coaches. I for one want to know the plan for next season and what will happen with the teams since our roster is already outrageously large. I can't imagine taking on MORE players.

Which age group? I know some of the older teams have a lot of players on the roster but who that's because so many players don't show up for things.