Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In WAGs tournament, Arlington 08 team is currently in the first place in their group with 2 wins in 2 games and Loudoun 08 team is in the last place in their group with 2 losses in 2 games. Both teams are in the same bracket, just different groups.

I appreciate that advice. I'm just wondering if you can judge a program based on the 08 performance? That's still young, like U11 young. There could be a lot of change over time. Don't you think?

I'm seriously asking. Both clubs have a long, long history in NOVA. Seems like choosing between two giants. So please give me your thoughts.

Loudoun parents/coaches say that their older teams struggle in ECNL, because FCV "poached" the players from older age groups (which has some truth to it), but the ECNL status means that the kids will now stay at Loudoun rather than leaving for FCV. The argument implies that Loudoun's future ECNL teams will be stronger than its current teams. Loudoun's 07 age group is strong, but its 08 age group is much weaker. So even if the club is able to retain all players in the next two years, Loudoun will only have one strong age group in ECNL (i.e., their 07 team).

Anonymous wrote:In WAGs tournament, Arlington 08 team is currently in the first place in their group with 2 wins in 2 games and Loudoun 08 team is in the last place in their group with 2 losses in 2 games. Both teams are in the same bracket, just different groups.

I appreciate that advice. I'm just wondering if you can judge a program based on the 08 performance? That's still young, like U11 young. There could be a lot of change over time. Don't you think?

I'm seriously asking. Both clubs have a long, long history in NOVA. Seems like choosing between two giants. So please give me your thoughts.

Anonymous wrote:If the travel distance is not an issue for you, I would definitely pick Arlington over Loudoun.

Are you saying that because Arlington is DA and Loudoun is ECNL, or are you saying that based on the program itself? That Arlington has been a better staff and curriculum?

In WAGs tournament, Arlington 08 team is currently in the first place in their group with 2 wins in 2 games and Loudoun 08 team is in the last place in their group with 2 losses in 2 games. Both teams are in the same bracket, just different groups.

Thank you! Politics is one of the biggest things I want to avoid. I want quality coaching, no politics, and appropriately sized rosters. I did notice they keep nice, tight roster sizes. That means a lot of playing time for everyone. Plus they have done well do far in their DA match ups.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the travel distance is not an issue for you, I would definitely pick Arlington over Loudoun.

Distance is always an issue, as is the quality of the program. It's all about the law of diminishing return. How far can/should I go for how much better a program?

So what makes you say Arlington is worth the additional drive?

Less politics. Better behaved coaches. If it was the boys program, I would say it is a no brainer as Arlington has a much stronger program than Loudoun. On the girls side, is it a closer call because of the travel time, but I would still lean towards Arlington, unless your DD is in 07 age group.

Anonymous wrote:If the travel distance is not an issue for you, I would definitely pick Arlington over Loudoun.

Distance is always an issue, as is the quality of the program. It's all about the law of diminishing return. How far can/should I go for how much better a program?

So what makes you say Arlington is worth the additional drive?

If the travel distance is not an issue for you, I would definitely pick Arlington over Loudoun.

Anonymous wrote:DD has been with Arlington since U12. Did not start on the highest team and still had a great experience. Coaches are all great, some greater than others. DA teams get amazing, but tough coaches, but not mean. They push them and they work hard. Depends on your DC’s age, but most age groups are very strong..

I meant to say thank you to this post: thank you so much! That's very helpful and gives me a good perspective from a parent in the club.

I appreciate it!

Thank you so much! That's a very, very helpful insight.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you recommend I find out more about Arlington? I already know plenty about FCV and Spirit. How hard is it to find quality coaching with quality players? FCV has it, but everyone says they have impossible politics. Spirit doesn't have quality players and I'm not sold on the coaching.

I would love to know more about Arlington.

If you are serious, here is a start: http://www.arlingtonsoccer.com/programs/development-academy
Go and attend some games, have your DD attend the ID sessions, contact the coaches.
I have not seen much "politics" (not sure what it means though) on the boys side, but cannot speak for the girls one.

I looked at the website for the club we are at and that proved to be not useful. I would prefer to hear from people who either have a DC there and why they stay and also from people who left and why they left.

I don't want to be tricked. An honest representation matters more to me, as a year is such a long time to live with a club.

DD has been with Arlington since U12. Did not start on the highest team and still had a great experience. Coaches are all great, some greater than others. DA teams get amazing, but tough coaches, but not mean. They push them and they work hard. Depends on your DC’s age, but most age groups are very strong.

If you don't want to be "tricked," you should go and see the games of the club in the age group you are considering. You will get a general feel for how the team plays and the coaching style.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you recommend I find out more about Arlington? I already know plenty about FCV and Spirit. How hard is it to find quality coaching with quality players? FCV has it, but everyone says they have impossible politics. Spirit doesn't have quality players and I'm not sold on the coaching.

I would love to know more about Arlington.

If you are serious, here is a start: http://www.arlingtonsoccer.com/programs/development-academy
Go and attend some games, have your DD attend the ID sessions, contact the coaches.
I have not seen much "politics" (not sure what it means though) on the boys side, but cannot speak for the girls one.

I looked at the website for the club we are at and that proved to be not useful. I would prefer to hear from people who either have a DC there and why they stay and also from people who left and why they left.

I don't want to be tricked. An honest representation matters more to me, as a year is such a long time to live with a club.

DD has been with Arlington since U12. Did not start on the highest team and still had a great experience. Coaches are all great, some greater than others. DA teams get amazing, but tough coaches, but not mean. They push them and they work hard. Depends on your DC’s age, but most age groups are very strong.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These amounts are insane! 10K or more. . . . why are we putting up with this money grab?

*writes check*

HAHAHHAHAHAHHAH

Anonymous wrote:These amounts are insane! 10K or more. . . . why are we putting up with this money grab?

*writes check*

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These amounts are insane! 10K or more. . . . why are we putting up with this money grab?

Did you think showcases were free? Out of town overnight trips? 60-70% of the cost is travel related.

True. Let's not even talk about the monopoly Anthony Travel has on hotels. You have to use the team hotel, the cost can be more than $200 a night, and that doesn't even mean you will be by the field.

This insanity will continue as long as parents are willing to pay for it. There are plenty of quality programs in the area, but they don't really play each other. DA vs ECNL crossover games could be fun. Let McLean play Arlington or Spirit VA, FCV play Loudoun, Spirit Md can play Bethesda, etc. You could still do Disney or something similar tournament to play out of state competition, but you don't have to travel far to find quality competition. It's just there are too many big egos in youth soccer that the common sense is getting lost.