Anonymous
Post 01/05/2024 09:40     Subject: Coach - Moving to the area - looking for club
Yes, all the bigger clubs have figured out that the real growth in customers is the vast swath of regular rec players with delusional parents.

The only thing that really holds places like Valor, Loudoun, etc back is that there isn't an unlimited amount of field space. Otherwise they would have 15 teams per age group.
Anonymous
Post 01/05/2024 09:18     Subject: Coach - Moving to the area - looking for club
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any information on Valor?


Valor is pay-to play. Their lower teams are awful, they literally will take any kid who can pay and the people on top run it like a pyramid scheme and increase their own pay every eyar. Its incredibly easy to get hired to coach for them, though, since they have so many teams.


Isn't everyone pay-to-play?

Also why do they have so many teams if they are awful? Not being sarcastic, just curious.


Because they have two giant affiliated rec leagues that feed them mediocre players every year. 100 kids show up to tryouts, 100 kids make a team. They just add more teams.


Yup. Everyone makes the team. It is sad. Especially when you see the academy practices and the top kids are mixed with ones who can barely pass or dribble.


Well, their money is as good as yours! And there are a LOT more mediocre players than good players, so its a huge population to mine for paying customers. And the parents get to say "Larlo made the travel team!"

Do they make clear to the parents the pecking order of the teams? I am amazed people will pay to be on the 5th level team.
Anonymous
Post 01/05/2024 09:02     Subject: Coach - Moving to the area - looking for club
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any information on Valor?


Valor is pay-to play. Their lower teams are awful, they literally will take any kid who can pay and the people on top run it like a pyramid scheme and increase their own pay every eyar. Its incredibly easy to get hired to coach for them, though, since they have so many teams.


Isn't everyone pay-to-play?

Also why do they have so many teams if they are awful? Not being sarcastic, just curious.


Because they have two giant affiliated rec leagues that feed them mediocre players every year. 100 kids show up to tryouts, 100 kids make a team. They just add more teams.


Yup. Everyone makes the team. It is sad. Especially when you see the academy practices and the top kids are mixed with ones who can barely pass or dribble.
Anonymous
Post 01/05/2024 09:01     Subject: Re:Coach - Moving to the area - looking for club
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:BRYC has lots of younger age groups - boys and girls. VYS is a great club, too. Highly recommend.


I can't find much on the BRYC site, anyone have a better breakdown of their teams by chance? Or another good source?


The younger girls u10 have at least 3 teams, you can look at NCSL to find them. Their website needs work. I know they do have some parent coaches.
Anonymous
Post 01/05/2024 06:17     Subject: Coach - Moving to the area - looking for club
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any information on Valor?


Valor is pay-to play. Their lower teams are awful, they literally will take any kid who can pay and the people on top run it like a pyramid scheme and increase their own pay every eyar. Its incredibly easy to get hired to coach for them, though, since they have so many teams.


Isn't everyone pay-to-play?

Also why do they have so many teams if they are awful? Not being sarcastic, just curious.


Because they have two giant affiliated rec leagues that feed them mediocre players every year. 100 kids show up to tryouts, 100 kids make a team. They just add more teams.
Anonymous
Post 01/04/2024 14:18     Subject: Coach - Moving to the area - looking for club
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:VA Revolution is a bit further out in Loudoun but is trying to get traction and has deep pockets so you might the most money there.


I went to their site, and doesn't seem they have very many girls teams (yet?). Money isn't really much of a factor for me, but curious why they have deep pockets? Are they different somehow?


PE backed. No good teams, 1 good coach that randomly decided to go over. Fantastic facility. No platform for players to compete.


Are there other PE backed clubs in the area? Or is this a unique situation?
Anonymous
Post 01/04/2024 12:51     Subject: Coach - Moving to the area - looking for club
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any information on Valor?


Valor is pay-to play. Their lower teams are awful, they literally will take any kid who can pay and the people on top run it like a pyramid scheme and increase their own pay every eyar. Its incredibly easy to get hired to coach for them, though, since they have so many teams.


Isn't everyone pay-to-play?

Also why do they have so many teams if they are awful? Not being sarcastic, just curious.
Anonymous
Post 01/04/2024 12:49     Subject: Coach - Moving to the area - looking for club
Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any information on Valor?


Valor is pay-to play. Their lower teams are awful, they literally will take any kid who can pay and the people on top run it like a pyramid scheme and increase their own pay every eyar. Its incredibly easy to get hired to coach for them, though, since they have so many teams.
Anonymous
Post 01/02/2024 06:27     Subject: Coach - Moving to the area - looking for club
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:VA Revolution is a bit further out in Loudoun but is trying to get traction and has deep pockets so you might the most money there.


I went to their site, and doesn't seem they have very many girls teams (yet?). Money isn't really much of a factor for me, but curious why they have deep pockets? Are they different somehow?
they fended off loudoun and the owner bought and upgraded their facility. Loudoun has the deepest pockets in the area…. But has lost some coaches due to a variety of issues. In fact the posted opening not long ago. A lot of former loudoun players have headed there. Speaking from thr girls side it seems the girls who are there are ok w girls academy and the returns from the club. From my optics they seem to get the best ecnl talent when they get tired of loudoun and have good college placements.

And they take care of their coaches w/o pokey parents n politics. At least from what ive been told.


You are describing FC Virginia. Not VA Revolution.
Anonymous
Post 01/01/2024 23:35     Subject: Re:Coach - Moving to the area - looking for club
Anonymous wrote:BRYC has lots of younger age groups - boys and girls. VYS is a great club, too. Highly recommend.


I can't find much on the BRYC site, anyone have a better breakdown of their teams by chance? Or another good source?
Anonymous
Post 01/01/2024 11:11     Subject: Coach - Moving to the area - looking for club
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:VA Revolution is a bit further out in Loudoun but is trying to get traction and has deep pockets so you might the most money there.


I went to their site, and doesn't seem they have very many girls teams (yet?). Money isn't really much of a factor for me, but curious why they have deep pockets? Are they different somehow?
they fended off loudoun and the owner bought and upgraded their facility. Loudoun has the deepest pockets in the area…. But has lost some coaches due to a variety of issues. In fact the posted opening not long ago. A lot of former loudoun players have headed there. Speaking from thr girls side it seems the girls who are there are ok w girls academy and the returns from the club. From my optics they seem to get the best ecnl talent when they get tired of loudoun and have good college placements.

And they take care of their coaches w/o pokey parents n politics. At least from what ive been told.
Anonymous
Post 01/01/2024 11:05     Subject: Coach - Moving to the area - looking for club
Anonymous wrote:VA Revolution is a bit further out in Loudoun but is trying to get traction and has deep pockets so you might the most money there.
i will say i keep in contact w former loudoun coaches that have gone there. They love it… helluva trek to get there and watch for deer off evergreen if u decide to go there.
Anonymous
Post 01/01/2024 11:02     Subject: Coach - Moving to the area - looking for club
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Is Loudon a feasible drive? They have a ton of fields listed on their site, so wasn't sure where they operate out of.

Is there anything towards DC or MD to consider?



They're out in Leesburg. It's a slog of a drive from Tyson's area if you're not toll roading it, in which case it's a lot of money.


Thanks for that. I hadn't considered tolls as those aren't much of a thing out here.

Also noticing a lot of "alliances" and mergers/partnerships at the top level. Is that a more common practice in the area due to the amount of clubs here?

Since VYS and McLean seem to be recommended, does anyone have experiences with either program they'd be willing to share?


Mostly in VA where they've created so many clubs and watered the talent that they collectively get poor results.


It has definitely made figuring out who is who a bit more challenging. I appreciate everyone's input.
as a parent in a new merger. Pay the alliances/mergers no mind. As others have echoed, they are to the regions detriment. All the clubs have needs at coaching. Spread your eggs around and be picky. Kids are kids… they are awesome and as long as you foster their love for the sport and can deal w various kinds of parents you will be fine.
Anonymous
Post 12/31/2023 14:48     Subject: Coach - Moving to the area - looking for club
If you’re on The Girls side and willing to give constructive criticism without screaming, focus on conditioning and technical ability, please, for the love of God go to McLean. We need you.
Anonymous
Post 12/31/2023 14:42     Subject: Coach - Moving to the area - looking for club
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:VA Revolution is a bit further out in Loudoun but is trying to get traction and has deep pockets so you might the most money there.


I went to their site, and doesn't seem they have very many girls teams (yet?). Money isn't really much of a factor for me, but curious why they have deep pockets? Are they different somehow?


PE backed. No good teams, 1 good coach that randomly decided to go over. Fantastic facility. No platform for players to compete.