Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s been a lot of criticism directed at Alexandria soccer lately, while SYC seems to be flying under the radar—despite currently undergoing an audit. Interesting how the spotlight doesn’t always land where it should.

This could be interesting enough for its own topic

Anonymous wrote:There’s been a lot of criticism directed at Alexandria soccer lately, while SYC seems to be flying under the radar—despite currently undergoing an audit. Interesting how the spotlight doesn’t always land where it should.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20 pages - we can all agree it’s too much money, right?

It definitely raises eyebrows

Anonymous wrote:Asa keyboard warrior is trying to divert. Is his goto weapon…

Anonymous wrote:20 pages - we can all agree it’s too much money, right?

Anonymous wrote:There’s been a lot of criticism directed at Alexandria soccer lately, while SYC seems to be flying under the radar—despite currently undergoing an audit. Interesting how the spotlight doesn’t always land where it should.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From a “business” perspective, Alexandria has doubled revenue and tripled net assets over the past 5 years and their balance sheet looks phenomenal compared to the other big clubs in the area. The guy might be a total jackwad, and may not know squat about soccer (I have no idea) but whoever is pulling the financial levers at that club is kicking ass and taking names.

It is not him - ironically it is the volunteer board members.
Who doesn’t love a non-profit youth soccer club with a good balance sheet but terrible product? Maybe that is why they pay him so much, now that you mention it. Charging so much money when sitting on millions would look worse, I think. Or maybe the City would not subsidize so much.
It seems, though, everyone has lost the forest through the trees.

As an ASA parent of one soccer player, I really don't care how much TP makes unless it takes away from investment in soccer and especially the MLS Next program. Honestly, the best part about the program is the administration. Practice times are organized and set and field space is consistent and good. Most local MLS Next clubs cannot say that. My guess is these are things Tommy Park is most involved with, i.e. the relationship with the City of Alexandria. Player development, team performance, player recruitment and retention, coach recruitment and retention, and reputation for all these things are what really need work. They have a well paid staff of higher ups that could elevate the program by focusing on these things. I'm not sure Tommy Park or his salary have much to do with it, other than it's time to focus on actual soccer at the top level.

The fields are lined. Congratulations. So are every other club's.
That's not a $XXX,XXX job. That's a coordinator with a calendar.
Meanwhile the coaching staff is actively bad. Not credentialed. Not qualified to be standing on an MLS Next field. Young and inexperienced coaches who don't meet the standards the program is supposed to represent — that's not a gap, that's an embarrassment.
And the ones who do show promise? Gone. Constantly. Revolving door of coaches in and out means zero continuity, zero trust, zero development. Player development is a long game built on relationships and consistent methodology. You can't build that when the coach your kid finally connected with is gone in four months and replaced by someone greener than the field they're standing on.
That's happening while leadership is paid 300% above market.
No serious player stays in a program where the coaches can't stay either. No serious recruit comes. And no amount of clean scheduling fixes a development program that can't retain the people actually doing the developing.
You want to tell parents the best part of the program is the admin? That's the most damning thing you could possibly say about an MLS Next club. You just accidentally made the argument for us.
The money is in the wrong place. Completely and obviously.
Thanks for playing, ASA keyboard warrior......

Right. I get you're angry. I don't know who you are, and you obviously don't know who I am as you direct this "ASA keyboard warrior" thing at everyone. I said I'm a parent who wants the soccer part improved. We're saying the same thing right? I'm not telling parents anything other than I don't think the director's salary has much to do with it.

To clarify my position further. There are well-paid soccer-only folks between Tommy and the coaches that should be well-positioned to make positive changes in the program. Let's work on the things I mentioned (which is almost everything): "Player development, team performance, player recruitment and retention, coach recruitment and retention, and reputation." I'd say start with #1, then coaching and the other things will fall into place.

They have been there for years... same results. ASA needs a whole redo.

Apparently, based on DCUM posters, every club in the dmv area needs a redo

Same things are repeated about all of them see:Bethesda thread for example

Every club has issues. For sure. Bethesda's MLS Next teams are better than Alexandria's by a wide margin. So is their college placement. The girls side is not in any way comparable, it is so much better.

Define better and use numbers please and thanks

Sure. MLS Next Flex standings (Bethesda-Alexandria). U15 3-7; U16 1-7; U17 1-5; U19 6-5.

Some of this is because Bethesda cheats the system and plays older players down (see how they drop at U19). But they definitely have more winning teams overall. Alexandria didn't place a single team above 5th. And . . . . for a club that stresses "tactical" training and "decisions under pressure" so much that they do ZERO technical training in 4 days a week training, you'd expect them to get better results. Not surprisingly, see zero technical training, they also lag in college recruiting. I have no idea if this is complete, but here are the recent commits for Bethesda. https://sportsrecruits.com/committed/bethesdasc_boys[url] You've put me in a weird position, because I hate the way Bethesda concentrates on winning and prioritizes physical players, but Alexandria needs to step up and do something well, from a soccer perspective, if they're not developing players or getting results.

So what's better?

for ASA to do better and change leadership and realign priorities.

What if your priority is not the other 99% of the teams priority? We know who you are. Have your kid train and maybe he makes team next season

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From a “business” perspective, Alexandria has doubled revenue and tripled net assets over the past 5 years and their balance sheet looks phenomenal compared to the other big clubs in the area. The guy might be a total jackwad, and may not know squat about soccer (I have no idea) but whoever is pulling the financial levers at that club is kicking ass and taking names.

It is not him - ironically it is the volunteer board members.
Who doesn’t love a non-profit youth soccer club with a good balance sheet but terrible product? Maybe that is why they pay him so much, now that you mention it. Charging so much money when sitting on millions would look worse, I think. Or maybe the City would not subsidize so much.
It seems, though, everyone has lost the forest through the trees.

As an ASA parent of one soccer player, I really don't care how much TP makes unless it takes away from investment in soccer and especially the MLS Next program. Honestly, the best part about the program is the administration. Practice times are organized and set and field space is consistent and good. Most local MLS Next clubs cannot say that. My guess is these are things Tommy Park is most involved with, i.e. the relationship with the City of Alexandria. Player development, team performance, player recruitment and retention, coach recruitment and retention, and reputation for all these things are what really need work. They have a well paid staff of higher ups that could elevate the program by focusing on these things. I'm not sure Tommy Park or his salary have much to do with it, other than it's time to focus on actual soccer at the top level.

The fields are lined. Congratulations. So are every other club's.
That's not a $XXX,XXX job. That's a coordinator with a calendar.
Meanwhile the coaching staff is actively bad. Not credentialed. Not qualified to be standing on an MLS Next field. Young and inexperienced coaches who don't meet the standards the program is supposed to represent — that's not a gap, that's an embarrassment.
And the ones who do show promise? Gone. Constantly. Revolving door of coaches in and out means zero continuity, zero trust, zero development. Player development is a long game built on relationships and consistent methodology. You can't build that when the coach your kid finally connected with is gone in four months and replaced by someone greener than the field they're standing on.
That's happening while leadership is paid 300% above market.
No serious player stays in a program where the coaches can't stay either. No serious recruit comes. And no amount of clean scheduling fixes a development program that can't retain the people actually doing the developing.
You want to tell parents the best part of the program is the admin? That's the most damning thing you could possibly say about an MLS Next club. You just accidentally made the argument for us.
The money is in the wrong place. Completely and obviously.
Thanks for playing, ASA keyboard warrior......

Right. I get you're angry. I don't know who you are, and you obviously don't know who I am as you direct this "ASA keyboard warrior" thing at everyone. I said I'm a parent who wants the soccer part improved. We're saying the same thing right? I'm not telling parents anything other than I don't think the director's salary has much to do with it.

To clarify my position further. There are well-paid soccer-only folks between Tommy and the coaches that should be well-positioned to make positive changes in the program. Let's work on the things I mentioned (which is almost everything): "Player development, team performance, player recruitment and retention, coach recruitment and retention, and reputation." I'd say start with #1, then coaching and the other things will fall into place.

They have been there for years... same results. ASA needs a whole redo.

Apparently, based on DCUM posters, every club in the dmv area needs a redo

Same things are repeated about all of them see:Bethesda thread for example

Every club has issues. For sure. Bethesda's MLS Next teams are better than Alexandria's by a wide margin. So is their college placement. The girls side is not in any way comparable, it is so much better.

Define better and use numbers please and thanks

Sure. MLS Next Flex standings (Bethesda-Alexandria). U15 3-7; U16 1-7; U17 1-5; U19 6-5.

Some of this is because Bethesda cheats the system and plays older players down (see how they drop at U19). But they definitely have more winning teams overall. Alexandria didn't place a single team above 5th. And . . . . for a club that stresses "tactical" training and "decisions under pressure" so much that they do ZERO technical training in 4 days a week training, you'd expect them to get better results. Not surprisingly, see zero technical training, they also lag in college recruiting. I have no idea if this is complete, but here are the recent commits for Bethesda. https://sportsrecruits.com/committed/bethesdasc_boys[url] You've put me in a weird position, because I hate the way Bethesda concentrates on winning and prioritizes physical players, but Alexandria needs to step up and do something well, from a soccer perspective, if they're not developing players or getting results.

So what's better?

for ASA to do better and change leadership and realign priorities.

What if your priority is not the other 99% of the teams priority? We know who you are. Have your kid train and maybe he makes team next season

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From a “business” perspective, Alexandria has doubled revenue and tripled net assets over the past 5 years and their balance sheet looks phenomenal compared to the other big clubs in the area. The guy might be a total jackwad, and may not know squat about soccer (I have no idea) but whoever is pulling the financial levers at that club is kicking ass and taking names.

It is not him - ironically it is the volunteer board members.
Who doesn’t love a non-profit youth soccer club with a good balance sheet but terrible product? Maybe that is why they pay him so much, now that you mention it. Charging so much money when sitting on millions would look worse, I think. Or maybe the City would not subsidize so much.
It seems, though, everyone has lost the forest through the trees.

As an ASA parent of one soccer player, I really don't care how much TP makes unless it takes away from investment in soccer and especially the MLS Next program. Honestly, the best part about the program is the administration. Practice times are organized and set and field space is consistent and good. Most local MLS Next clubs cannot say that. My guess is these are things Tommy Park is most involved with, i.e. the relationship with the City of Alexandria. Player development, team performance, player recruitment and retention, coach recruitment and retention, and reputation for all these things are what really need work. They have a well paid staff of higher ups that could elevate the program by focusing on these things. I'm not sure Tommy Park or his salary have much to do with it, other than it's time to focus on actual soccer at the top level.

The fields are lined. Congratulations. So are every other club's.
That's not a $XXX,XXX job. That's a coordinator with a calendar.
Meanwhile the coaching staff is actively bad. Not credentialed. Not qualified to be standing on an MLS Next field. Young and inexperienced coaches who don't meet the standards the program is supposed to represent — that's not a gap, that's an embarrassment.
And the ones who do show promise? Gone. Constantly. Revolving door of coaches in and out means zero continuity, zero trust, zero development. Player development is a long game built on relationships and consistent methodology. You can't build that when the coach your kid finally connected with is gone in four months and replaced by someone greener than the field they're standing on.
That's happening while leadership is paid 300% above market.
No serious player stays in a program where the coaches can't stay either. No serious recruit comes. And no amount of clean scheduling fixes a development program that can't retain the people actually doing the developing.
You want to tell parents the best part of the program is the admin? That's the most damning thing you could possibly say about an MLS Next club. You just accidentally made the argument for us.
The money is in the wrong place. Completely and obviously.
Thanks for playing, ASA keyboard warrior......

Right. I get you're angry. I don't know who you are, and you obviously don't know who I am as you direct this "ASA keyboard warrior" thing at everyone. I said I'm a parent who wants the soccer part improved. We're saying the same thing right? I'm not telling parents anything other than I don't think the director's salary has much to do with it.

To clarify my position further. There are well-paid soccer-only folks between Tommy and the coaches that should be well-positioned to make positive changes in the program. Let's work on the things I mentioned (which is almost everything): "Player development, team performance, player recruitment and retention, coach recruitment and retention, and reputation." I'd say start with #1, then coaching and the other things will fall into place.

They have been there for years... same results. ASA needs a whole redo.

Apparently, based on DCUM posters, every club in the dmv area needs a redo

Same things are repeated about all of them see:Bethesda thread for example

Every club has issues. For sure. Bethesda's MLS Next teams are better than Alexandria's by a wide margin. So is their college placement. The girls side is not in any way comparable, it is so much better.

Define better and use numbers please and thanks

Sure. MLS Next Flex standings (Bethesda-Alexandria). U15 3-7; U16 1-7; U17 1-5; U19 6-5.

Some of this is because Bethesda cheats the system and plays older players down (see how they drop at U19). But they definitely have more winning teams overall. Alexandria didn't place a single team above 5th. And . . . . for a club that stresses "tactical" training and "decisions under pressure" so much that they do ZERO technical training in 4 days a week training, you'd expect them to get better results. Not surprisingly, see zero technical training, they also lag in college recruiting. I have no idea if this is complete, but here are the recent commits for Bethesda. https://sportsrecruits.com/committed/bethesdasc_boys[url] You've put me in a weird position, because I hate the way Bethesda concentrates on winning and prioritizes physical players, but Alexandria needs to step up and do something well, from a soccer perspective, if they're not developing players or getting results.

So what's better?

for ASA to do better and change leadership and realign priorities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From a “business” perspective, Alexandria has doubled revenue and tripled net assets over the past 5 years and their balance sheet looks phenomenal compared to the other big clubs in the area. The guy might be a total jackwad, and may not know squat about soccer (I have no idea) but whoever is pulling the financial levers at that club is kicking ass and taking names.

It is not him - ironically it is the volunteer board members.
Who doesn’t love a non-profit youth soccer club with a good balance sheet but terrible product? Maybe that is why they pay him so much, now that you mention it. Charging so much money when sitting on millions would look worse, I think. Or maybe the City would not subsidize so much.
It seems, though, everyone has lost the forest through the trees.

As an ASA parent of one soccer player, I really don't care how much TP makes unless it takes away from investment in soccer and especially the MLS Next program. Honestly, the best part about the program is the administration. Practice times are organized and set and field space is consistent and good. Most local MLS Next clubs cannot say that. My guess is these are things Tommy Park is most involved with, i.e. the relationship with the City of Alexandria. Player development, team performance, player recruitment and retention, coach recruitment and retention, and reputation for all these things are what really need work. They have a well paid staff of higher ups that could elevate the program by focusing on these things. I'm not sure Tommy Park or his salary have much to do with it, other than it's time to focus on actual soccer at the top level.

The fields are lined. Congratulations. So are every other club's.
That's not a $XXX,XXX job. That's a coordinator with a calendar.
Meanwhile the coaching staff is actively bad. Not credentialed. Not qualified to be standing on an MLS Next field. Young and inexperienced coaches who don't meet the standards the program is supposed to represent — that's not a gap, that's an embarrassment.
And the ones who do show promise? Gone. Constantly. Revolving door of coaches in and out means zero continuity, zero trust, zero development. Player development is a long game built on relationships and consistent methodology. You can't build that when the coach your kid finally connected with is gone in four months and replaced by someone greener than the field they're standing on.
That's happening while leadership is paid 300% above market.
No serious player stays in a program where the coaches can't stay either. No serious recruit comes. And no amount of clean scheduling fixes a development program that can't retain the people actually doing the developing.
You want to tell parents the best part of the program is the admin? That's the most damning thing you could possibly say about an MLS Next club. You just accidentally made the argument for us.
The money is in the wrong place. Completely and obviously.
Thanks for playing, ASA keyboard warrior......

Right. I get you're angry. I don't know who you are, and you obviously don't know who I am as you direct this "ASA keyboard warrior" thing at everyone. I said I'm a parent who wants the soccer part improved. We're saying the same thing right? I'm not telling parents anything other than I don't think the director's salary has much to do with it.

To clarify my position further. There are well-paid soccer-only folks between Tommy and the coaches that should be well-positioned to make positive changes in the program. Let's work on the things I mentioned (which is almost everything): "Player development, team performance, player recruitment and retention, coach recruitment and retention, and reputation." I'd say start with #1, then coaching and the other things will fall into place.

They have been there for years... same results. ASA needs a whole redo.

Apparently, based on DCUM posters, every club in the dmv area needs a redo

Same things are repeated about all of them see:Bethesda thread for example

Every club has issues. For sure. Bethesda's MLS Next teams are better than Alexandria's by a wide margin. So is their college placement. The girls side is not in any way comparable, it is so much better.

Define better and use numbers please and thanks

Sure. MLS Next Flex standings (Bethesda-Alexandria). U15 3-7; U16 1-7; U17 1-5; U19 6-5.

Some of this is because Bethesda cheats the system and plays older players down (see how they drop at U19). But they definitely have more winning teams overall. Alexandria didn't place a single team above 5th. And . . . . for a club that stresses "tactical" training and "decisions under pressure" so much that they do ZERO technical training in 4 days a week training, you'd expect them to get better results. Not surprisingly, see zero technical training, they also lag in college recruiting. I have no idea if this is complete, but here are the recent commits for Bethesda. https://sportsrecruits.com/committed/bethesdasc_boys[url] You've put me in a weird position, because I hate the way Bethesda concentrates on winning and prioritizes physical players, but Alexandria needs to step up and do something well, from a soccer perspective, if they're not developing players or getting results.

So what's better?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Asa keyboard warrior is trying to divert. Is his goto weapon…

All 13 ASA keyboard warriors are against you seems like

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From a “business” perspective, Alexandria has doubled revenue and tripled net assets over the past 5 years and their balance sheet looks phenomenal compared to the other big clubs in the area. The guy might be a total jackwad, and may not know squat about soccer (I have no idea) but whoever is pulling the financial levers at that club is kicking ass and taking names.

It is not him - ironically it is the volunteer board members.
Who doesn’t love a non-profit youth soccer club with a good balance sheet but terrible product? Maybe that is why they pay him so much, now that you mention it. Charging so much money when sitting on millions would look worse, I think. Or maybe the City would not subsidize so much.
It seems, though, everyone has lost the forest through the trees.

As an ASA parent of one soccer player, I really don't care how much TP makes unless it takes away from investment in soccer and especially the MLS Next program. Honestly, the best part about the program is the administration. Practice times are organized and set and field space is consistent and good. Most local MLS Next clubs cannot say that. My guess is these are things Tommy Park is most involved with, i.e. the relationship with the City of Alexandria. Player development, team performance, player recruitment and retention, coach recruitment and retention, and reputation for all these things are what really need work. They have a well paid staff of higher ups that could elevate the program by focusing on these things. I'm not sure Tommy Park or his salary have much to do with it, other than it's time to focus on actual soccer at the top level.

The fields are lined. Congratulations. So are every other club's.
That's not a $XXX,XXX job. That's a coordinator with a calendar.
Meanwhile the coaching staff is actively bad. Not credentialed. Not qualified to be standing on an MLS Next field. Young and inexperienced coaches who don't meet the standards the program is supposed to represent — that's not a gap, that's an embarrassment.
And the ones who do show promise? Gone. Constantly. Revolving door of coaches in and out means zero continuity, zero trust, zero development. Player development is a long game built on relationships and consistent methodology. You can't build that when the coach your kid finally connected with is gone in four months and replaced by someone greener than the field they're standing on.
That's happening while leadership is paid 300% above market.
No serious player stays in a program where the coaches can't stay either. No serious recruit comes. And no amount of clean scheduling fixes a development program that can't retain the people actually doing the developing.
You want to tell parents the best part of the program is the admin? That's the most damning thing you could possibly say about an MLS Next club. You just accidentally made the argument for us.
The money is in the wrong place. Completely and obviously.
Thanks for playing, ASA keyboard warrior......

Right. I get you're angry. I don't know who you are, and you obviously don't know who I am as you direct this "ASA keyboard warrior" thing at everyone. I said I'm a parent who wants the soccer part improved. We're saying the same thing right? I'm not telling parents anything other than I don't think the director's salary has much to do with it.

To clarify my position further. There are well-paid soccer-only folks between Tommy and the coaches that should be well-positioned to make positive changes in the program. Let's work on the things I mentioned (which is almost everything): "Player development, team performance, player recruitment and retention, coach recruitment and retention, and reputation." I'd say start with #1, then coaching and the other things will fall into place.

They have been there for years... same results. ASA needs a whole redo.

Apparently, based on DCUM posters, every club in the dmv area needs a redo

Same things are repeated about all of them see:Bethesda thread for example

Every club has issues. For sure. Bethesda's MLS Next teams are better than Alexandria's by a wide margin. So is their college placement. The girls side is not in any way comparable, it is so much better.

Define better and use numbers please and thanks

Sure. MLS Next Flex standings (Bethesda-Alexandria). U15 3-7; U16 1-7; U17 1-5; U19 6-5.

Some of this is because Bethesda cheats the system and plays older players down (see how they drop at U19). But they definitely have more winning teams overall. Alexandria didn't place a single team above 5th. And . . . . for a club that stresses "tactical" training and "decisions under pressure" so much that they do ZERO technical training in 4 days a week training, you'd expect them to get better results. Not surprisingly, see zero technical training, they also lag in college recruiting. I have no idea if this is complete, but here are the recent commits for Bethesda. https://sportsrecruits.com/committed/bethesdasc_boys[url] You've put me in a weird position, because I hate the way Bethesda concentrates on winning and prioritizes physical players, but Alexandria needs to step up and do something well, from a soccer perspective, if they're not developing players or getting results.