Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is Spirit VA getting ready to cut rosters down for 19-20? Have they started to tell players on the bubble?

Some coaches have said something to their teams that next year, the rosters will be smaller. So yes generally. Not sure they specifically said to little Lisa or Stephanie that she may not make the team next year.

Seems like little Lisa or Stephanie can figure it out by looking at play time/starts. Bubble players typically know who they are -- or least their parents know.

Yeah, chances are they know. Which isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes a kid either digs in and works harder or she realizes that another level is better for her. She can see time on the field there.

Perhaps, I've known some parents and players whose assessments did not align with reality and did not see it.

I've also seen some coaches who didn't communicate well and as a result lost some players they may not have expected to leave.

Does Spirit VA roster and play each game based on performance expectations or is it still set schedules of who sits the games out and who starts and gets time?

It's surprising that players 6-14 at the other DA/ECNL clubs aren't more interested. If they thought they were that good and could be the player that is team changing, this would be a huge opportunity to demonstrate that ability. I guess they just want to be part of a winning record team whether or not they get the minutes to make an impact and be seen. I do get some want to play HS or stay with friends, there must be some that want that chance.

Related question, when FCV went from ECNL to DA last year, was there a significant exit of players who left because they wanted to play with their school?

I'm considering moving my DD to DA or ECNL. Moving out of her and her coaches current comfort zone might be the thing needed to develop in ways she would not if she stays put.

An opportunity to play for the worst club in the country?

All aboard

You really are a miserable person. I think commenting on every Spirit post out there isn’t doing anything good for your disposition. Maybe go outside and get some fresh air. Clearly your daughter didn’t make WS and you can’t get over it. Grow up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every surrounding club is better. Let that sink in.

That is understood, but it doesn't mean that it will always be the case.

Spirit is a club that is for profit. Spirit VA exists to provide financial support to them...not the other way around.

Spirit VA is no different than Barca.

Not sure how Barca is even part of this discussion at all, but there’s a big difference. spirit va teams could wipe the floor with the age group compared Barca girls teams and barca’s competition level is much lower than Spirit’s.

It isn't about talent it is about the tired argument of soccer being a big money grab.

People in this area tend to view achievement as a consumable. Look at he current college scandal. So the crux is people are either paying hteir way on to teams and taking away spots away from more deserving kids. Barca, is just taking peoples money and buying yachts with it. Spirit is clearly taking money from parents and just lining the owners pockets as a part of the NWSL Billionaires Boys Club..

And the knock on Spirit is they charge and lose.

Non-profits also charge but then people complain about TD director salaries but then as is the case with SYC and LMVSC director poach, they bitch and moan when their good director gets poached by a neighboring club.

Just find the right level of competition, the right level budget wise and just enjoy watching your kid play.

ECNL or DA are not for everyone. ECNL in particular is not a charity. It's sole purpose is to have a platform for kids to get showcased for college coaches. As a league it has no altruistic motives to live up to. People will pay lots of money for the opportunity to be exclusively showcased in front of college coaches. Does that need to be a measuring stick of how you or your family enjoys the game of soccer? NO.

DA, is also not interested everyone either. They are interested in finding players for the National team. They only care about the .01% The rest of the kids are there also for the college exposure.

College exposure is not necessary for your child to enjoy playing soccer.

ECNL and DA are not keeping any kids from playing soccer. That would be like saying BMW is pricing you out of a car. Can't afford a BMW? Buy a Toyota, it will still get you where you need to go, more reliably and for a lot less.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is Spirit VA getting ready to cut rosters down for 19-20? Have they started to tell players on the bubble?

Some coaches have said something to their teams that next year, the rosters will be smaller. So yes generally. Not sure they specifically said to little Lisa or Stephanie that she may not make the team next year.

Seems like little Lisa or Stephanie can figure it out by looking at play time/starts. Bubble players typically know who they are -- or least their parents know.

Yeah, chances are they know. Which isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes a kid either digs in and works harder or she realizes that another level is better for her. She can see time on the field there.

Perhaps, I've known some parents and players whose assessments did not align with reality and did not see it.

I've also seen some coaches who didn't communicate well and as a result lost some players they may not have expected to leave.

Does Spirit VA roster and play each game based on performance expectations or is it still set schedules of who sits the games out and who starts and gets time?

It's surprising that players 6-14 at the other DA/ECNL clubs aren't more interested. If they thought they were that good and could be the player that is team changing, this would be a huge opportunity to demonstrate that ability. I guess they just want to be part of a winning record team whether or not they get the minutes to make an impact and be seen. I do get some want to play HS or stay with friends, there must be some that want that chance.

Related question, when FCV went from ECNL to DA last year, was there a significant exit of players who left because they wanted to play with their school?

I'm considering moving my DD to DA or ECNL. Moving out of her and her coaches current comfort zone might be the thing needed to develop in ways she would not if she stays put.

An opportunity to play for the worst club in the country?

All aboard

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every surrounding club is better. Let that sink in.

That is understood, but it doesn't mean that it will always be the case.

Spirit is a club that is for profit. Spirit VA exists to provide financial support to them...not the other way around.

Spirit VA is no different than Barca.

Not sure how Barca is even part of this discussion at all, but there’s a big difference. spirit va teams could wipe the floor with the age group compared Barca girls teams and barca’s competition level is much lower than Spirit’s.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
As a Spirit parent, I'd argue that the one thing Spirit DOES have is the coaching. I have issues with the bloated rosters, choices for where and when players play, inconsistent talent, etc., but I can see that DDs team is considerably better now (despite these issues) and is playing tighter games, etc., than they were in the fall and last year. That means only one thing -- coaches are doing the best they can with what they currently have to work with. I do agree with PPs that 3-4 players (less in a couple age groups) could be the difference in one and two goal differential games. We are not seeing the blowouts we saw last year....

If these are truly the 3 big issues with Spirit VA,

1 bloated rosters,
2 choices for where and when players play
3 inconsistent talent

and if what PPs are saying is true reducing roster sizes (and adding a u16 team), then all 3 of these could be addressed in one fell swoop.

but can you explain more about choices for where and when players play?

Not sure about what other posters would say, but to me, there are play-ups that don't need to happen. Also, often there is considerable shifting of positions on the field -- sometimes mid-game. Many different players in a particular position over the course of any given 3-4 games which makes timing and consistency difficult, etc. Part of this does go back to #1 too though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:regardless of where their coaches came from, they have no where to pull players from. GF has not produced or attracted quality players themselves, so partnering with them doesn't add anything of value. Hoping to pluck 18 players per year OF DA CALIBER off random clubs isn't sustainable.

Great Falls, Vienna, Herndon, SYA...maybe a player here or there from FPYC, CYA, PAC, etc.??

this only works if the best two to three from each of these clubs agrees to go hoping the others do...

Easier said than done in northern virginia.

Anonymous wrote:
As a Spirit parent, I'd argue that the one thing Spirit DOES have is the coaching. I have issues with the bloated rosters, choices for where and when players play, inconsistent talent, etc., but I can see that DDs team is considerably better now (despite these issues) and is playing tighter games, etc., than they were in the fall and last year. That means only one thing -- coaches are doing the best they can with what they currently have to work with. I do agree with PPs that 3-4 players (less in a couple age groups) could be the difference in one and two goal differential games. We are not seeing the blowouts we saw last year....

If these are truly the 3 big issues with Spirit VA,

1 bloated rosters,
2 choices for where and when players play
3 inconsistent talent

and if what PPs are saying is true reducing roster sizes (and adding a u16 team), then all 3 of these could be addressed in one fell swoop.


but can you explain more about choices for where and when players play?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:regardless of where their coaches came from, they have no where to pull players from. GF has not produced or attracted quality players themselves, so partnering with them doesn't add anything of value. Hoping to pluck 18 players per year OF DA CALIBER off random clubs isn't sustainable.

Great Falls, Vienna, Herndon, SYA...maybe a player here or there from FPYC, CYA, PAC, etc.??

this only works if the best two to three from each of these clubs agrees to go hoping the others do...

Anonymous wrote:regardless of where their coaches came from, they have no where to pull players from. GF has not produced or attracted quality players themselves, so partnering with them doesn't add anything of value. Hoping to pluck 18 players per year OF DA CALIBER off random clubs isn't sustainable.

Great Falls, Vienna, Herndon, SYA...maybe a player here or there from FPYC, CYA, PAC, etc.??

regardless of where their coaches came from, they have no where to pull players from. GF has not produced or attracted quality players themselves, so partnering with them doesn't add anything of value. Hoping to pluck 18 players per year OF DA CALIBER off random clubs isn't sustainable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Establish a real pipeline with real clubs that have a history of developing players and hire coaches that know how to develop players. Spirit has none of this. Current director is long on resume and short on accomplishment. Other staff is short on both.

This is what Spirit MD, Richmond United, NC Courage, VDA, Penn Fusion, NC Fusion, etc have all done. They didn’t just start a club one day. It took planning and time with qualified people. Not people looking to attach themselves to a “pro” team.

This comment makes no sense. Coaches at Spirit VA came from other clubs like McLean, FCV, etc.

As a Spirit parent, I'd argue that the one thing Spirit DOES have is the coaching. I have issues with the bloated rosters, choices for where and when players play, inconsistent talent, etc., but I can see that DDs team is considerably better now (despite these issues) and is playing tighter games, etc., than they were in the fall and last year. That means only one thing -- coaches are doing the best they can with what they currently have to work with. I do agree with PPs that 3-4 players (less in a couple age groups) could be the difference in one and two goal differential games. We are not seeing the blowouts we saw last year....

Anonymous wrote:Establish a real pipeline with real clubs that have a history of developing players and hire coaches that know how to develop players. Spirit has none of this. Current director is long on resume and short on accomplishment. Other staff is short on both.

This is what Spirit MD, Richmond United, NC Courage, VDA, Penn Fusion, NC Fusion, etc have all done. They didn’t just start a club one day. It took planning and time with qualified people. Not people looking to attach themselves to a “pro” team.

This comment makes no sense. Coaches at Spirit VA came from other clubs like McLean, FCV, etc.

Establish a real pipeline with real clubs that have a history of developing players and hire coaches that know how to develop players. Spirit has none of this. Current director is long on resume and short on accomplishment. Other staff is short on both.

This is what Spirit MD, Richmond United, NC Courage, VDA, Penn Fusion, NC Fusion, etc have all done. They didn’t just start a club one day. It took planning and time with qualified people. Not people looking to attach themselves to a “pro” team.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is Spirit VA getting ready to cut rosters down for 19-20? Have they started to tell players on the bubble?

Some coaches have said something to their teams that next year, the rosters will be smaller. So yes generally. Not sure they specifically said to little Lisa or Stephanie that she may not make the team next year.

Seems like little Lisa or Stephanie can figure it out by looking at play time/starts. Bubble players typically know who they are -- or least their parents know.

Yeah, chances are they know. Which isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes a kid either digs in and works harder or she realizes that another level is better for her. She can see time on the field there.

Perhaps, I've known some parents and players whose assessments did not align with reality and did not see it.

I've also seen some coaches who didn't communicate well and as a result lost some players they may not have expected to leave.

Does Spirit VA roster and play each game based on performance expectations or is it still set schedules of who sits the games out and who starts and gets time?

It's surprising that players 6-14 at the other DA/ECNL clubs aren't more interested. If they thought they were that good and could be the player that is team changing, this would be a huge opportunity to demonstrate that ability. I guess they just want to be part of a winning record team whether or not they get the minutes to make an impact and be seen. I do get some want to play HS or stay with friends, there must be some that want that chance.

Related question, when FCV went from ECNL to DA last year, was there a significant exit of players who left because they wanted to play with their school?

I'm considering moving my DD to DA or ECNL. Moving out of her and her coaches current comfort zone might be the thing needed to develop in ways she would not if she stays put.

When FCV went to DA, most players whom they wanted to stay did stay. Of course at that time, Loudoun did not have ECNL and geography could have played a part. At least one FCV player has left this spring to play HS though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is Spirit VA getting ready to cut rosters down for 19-20? Have they started to tell players on the bubble?

Some coaches have said something to their teams that next year, the rosters will be smaller. So yes generally. Not sure they specifically said to little Lisa or Stephanie that she may not make the team next year.

Seems like little Lisa or Stephanie can figure it out by looking at play time/starts. Bubble players typically know who they are -- or least their parents know.

Yeah, chances are they know. Which isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes a kid either digs in and works harder or she realizes that another level is better for her. She can see time on the field there.

Perhaps, I've known some parents and players whose assessments did not align with reality and did not see it.

I've also seen some coaches who didn't communicate well and as a result lost some players they may not have expected to leave.

Does Spirit VA roster and play each game based on performance expectations or is it still set schedules of who sits the games out and who starts and gets time?

It's surprising that players 6-14 at the other DA/ECNL clubs aren't more interested. If they thought they were that good and could be the player that is team changing, this would be a huge opportunity to demonstrate that ability. I guess they just want to be part of a winning record team whether or not they get the minutes to make an impact and be seen. I do get some want to play HS or stay with friends, there must be some that want that chance.

Related question, when FCV went from ECNL to DA last year, was there a significant exit of players who left because they wanted to play with their school?

I'm considering moving my DD to DA or ECNL. Moving out of her and her coaches current comfort zone might be the thing needed to develop in ways she would not if she stays put.