Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 16:03     Subject: Is VDA the best club to get recruited from?
Anonymous wrote:Excuse me. The incoming VDA 2014 team is better than all of these on a relative basis. It could easily beat most of those 2013 teams even right now. Every one of its players will end up on a T15 college team.

These are 8th graders. History tells us that only half the current team or less will still be there through to college. Expect many new players from other clubs over the next 2 years as the PR machine does its thing. The roster size will expand. Many of the current starters will move to the bench, some will leave to join other clubs for more playing time. This same story has been playing out year after year.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 15:24     Subject: Is VDA the best club to get recruited from?
Anonymous wrote:Excuse me. The incoming VDA 2014 team is better than all of these on a relative basis. It could easily beat most of those 2013 teams even right now. Every one of its players will end up on a T15 college team.


Lol, the incoming U12 to U13 VDA is full of 2nd team players jumping ship to move up level. Also, the current VDA U13 got beat by an Aspire team and also scored 0 goals in the Jeff Cup.

-While VDA is very strong at the older ages and they are recruiting very well, they traditionally have not started out that strong.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 15:11     Subject: Is VDA the best club to get recruited from?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Those are the top DMV teams you can get recruited or get strong exposure from regardless of league or club.

08s:VDA, Baltimore Armor, NVA
09s: VDA, VRSC
10s:Bethesda, VDA, Baltimore Armor, MYS
11s: Bethesda, Arlington, Coppermine
12s: Arlington, FVU, SYC, Coppermine, NVA
13s: FVU, Arlington, SYC, NVA, Celtics

Real exposure comes from attending ECNL Playoffs and GA playoffs/Champions Cup.

If you are not on one of these teams, your recruitment chances are not as good even if you are on VDA ( 11s and younger).


Such BS! Recruitment has nothing to do with the team. It's completely individual to the player. College coaches come out to watch individual players, not the team. Also being the big fish in a little pond is relevant: a strong player on an average team is likely to stand out even more for recruitment.


100% agree but how will the coach see you if you aren’t in a good team. The team will get you to the door first. The rest is on the player. College Coaches don’t have time and resources to go dig in lower brackets to find the big fish in the pond. They go to playoffs knowing the best is already there. Easier and economical for them.


Clearly a lack of knowledge here about how recruitment works. College coaches aren't sifting through any teams for anybody. Individual players reach out first with their highlights. Coaches then put them on their list to watch. Agree with PP: guess what makes for great highlights? When you're a strong player standing out amongst the others.


You think a coach is that dumb not noticing a player dribbling slow opponents? Opponents and game pace show on reels too.


You've missed the point completely! For recruitment purposes there is no need for a strong player to be on the best, super team. In fact this may end up being a disadvantage for some in this process. And of course nobody's talking about being on a rec level team either. But all competitive ECNL teams that might be average or higher still have college coaches showing up and a strong player on these teams always gets the attention.
Wont matter when they hit the playoffs and get all the attention. Per US soccer its fair. Sucks for the other clubs that wont know whats about to hit them.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 10:25     Subject: Is VDA the best club to get recruited from?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Those are the top DMV teams you can get recruited or get strong exposure from regardless of league or club.

08s:VDA, Baltimore Armor, NVA
09s: VDA, VRSC
10s:Bethesda, VDA, Baltimore Armor, MYS
11s: Bethesda, Arlington, Coppermine
12s: Arlington, FVU, SYC, Coppermine, NVA
13s: FVU, Arlington, SYC, NVA, Celtics

Real exposure comes from attending ECNL Playoffs and GA playoffs/Champions Cup.

If you are not on one of these teams, your recruitment chances are not as good even if you are on VDA ( 11s and younger).


Such BS! Recruitment has nothing to do with the team. It's completely individual to the player. College coaches come out to watch individual players, not the team. Also being the big fish in a little pond is relevant: a strong player on an average team is likely to stand out even more for recruitment.


100% agree but how will the coach see you if you aren’t in a good team. The team will get you to the door first. The rest is on the player. College Coaches don’t have time and resources to go dig in lower brackets to find the big fish in the pond. They go to playoffs knowing the best is already there. Easier and economical for them.


Clearly a lack of knowledge here about how recruitment works. College coaches aren't sifting through any teams for anybody. Individual players reach out first with their highlights. Coaches then put them on their list to watch. Agree with PP: guess what makes for great highlights? When you're a strong player standing out amongst the others.


You think a coach is that dumb not noticing a player dribbling slow opponents? Opponents and game pace show on reels too.


You've missed the point completely! For recruitment purposes there is no need for a strong player to be on the best, super team. In fact this may end up being a disadvantage for some in this process. And of course nobody's talking about being on a rec level team either. But all competitive ECNL teams that might be average or higher still have college coaches showing up and a strong player on these teams always gets the attention.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 08:14     Subject: Is VDA the best club to get recruited from?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Excuse me. The incoming VDA 2014 team is better than all of these on a relative basis. It could easily beat most of those 2013 teams even right now. Every one of its players will end up on a T15 college team.


Well. When they get there. There is no 2014 in ECNL standings yet


Or in puberty yet :/
please dont make excuses for next season before it starts. Blame ussoccer
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 07:19     Subject: Is VDA the best club to get recruited from?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Excuse me. The incoming VDA 2014 team is better than all of these on a relative basis. It could easily beat most of those 2013 teams even right now. Every one of its players will end up on a T15 college team.


Well. When they get there. There is no 2014 in ECNL standings yet


Or in puberty yet :/
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 06:47     Subject: Is VDA the best club to get recruited from?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Those are the top DMV teams you can get recruited or get strong exposure from regardless of league or club.

08s:VDA, Baltimore Armor, NVA
09s: VDA, VRSC
10s:Bethesda, VDA, Baltimore Armor, MYS
11s: Bethesda, Arlington, Coppermine
12s: Arlington, FVU, SYC, Coppermine, NVA
13s: FVU, Arlington, SYC, NVA, Celtics

Real exposure comes from attending ECNL Playoffs and GA playoffs/Champions Cup.

If you are not on one of these teams, your recruitment chances are not as good even if you are on VDA ( 11s and younger).


Such BS! Recruitment has nothing to do with the team. It's completely individual to the player. College coaches come out to watch individual players, not the team. Also being the big fish in a little pond is relevant: a strong player on an average team is likely to stand out even more for recruitment.


100% agree but how will the coach see you if you aren’t in a good team. The team will get you to the door first. The rest is on the player. College Coaches don’t have time and resources to go dig in lower brackets to find the big fish in the pond. They go to playoffs knowing the best is already there. Easier and economical for them.


Clearly a lack of knowledge here about how recruitment works. College coaches aren't sifting through any teams for anybody. Individual players reach out first with their highlights. Coaches then put them on their list to watch. Agree with PP: guess what makes for great highlights? When you're a strong player standing out amongst the others.


You think a coach is that dumb not noticing a player dribbling slow opponents? Opponents and game pace show on reels too.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 06:42     Subject: Is VDA the best club to get recruited from?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Excuse me. The incoming VDA 2014 team is better than all of these on a relative basis. It could easily beat most of those 2013 teams even right now. Every one of its players will end up on a T15 college team.


Well. When they get there. There is no 2014 in ECNL standings yet


Or MAYBE the ranking system just byisst against good players and younger ages. Everyone here got they own byiss against some club or other it’s funny se yall gitcho panties up lol
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 06:34     Subject: Is VDA the best club to get recruited from?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Those are the top DMV teams you can get recruited or get strong exposure from regardless of league or club.

08s:VDA, Baltimore Armor, NVA
09s: VDA, VRSC
10s:Bethesda, VDA, Baltimore Armor, MYS
11s: Bethesda, Arlington, Coppermine
12s: Arlington, FVU, SYC, Coppermine, NVA
13s: FVU, Arlington, SYC, NVA, Celtics

Real exposure comes from attending ECNL Playoffs and GA playoffs/Champions Cup.

If you are not on one of these teams, your recruitment chances are not as good even if you are on VDA ( 11s and younger).


Such BS! Recruitment has nothing to do with the team. It's completely individual to the player. College coaches come out to watch individual players, not the team. Also being the big fish in a little pond is relevant: a strong player on an average team is likely to stand out even more for recruitment.


100% agree but how will the coach see you if you aren’t in a good team. The team will get you to the door first. The rest is on the player. College Coaches don’t have time and resources to go dig in lower brackets to find the big fish in the pond. They go to playoffs knowing the best is already there. Easier and economical for them.


Clearly a lack of knowledge here about how recruitment works. College coaches aren't sifting through any teams for anybody. Individual players reach out first with their highlights. Coaches then put them on their list to watch. Agree with PP: guess what makes for great highlights? When you're a strong player standing out amongst the others.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 06:18     Subject: Is VDA the best club to get recruited from?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Those are the top DMV teams you can get recruited or get strong exposure from regardless of league or club.

08s:VDA, Baltimore Armor, NVA
09s: VDA, VRSC
10s:Bethesda, VDA, Baltimore Armor, MYS
11s: Bethesda, Arlington, Coppermine
12s: Arlington, FVU, SYC, Coppermine, NVA
13s: FVU, Arlington, SYC, NVA, Celtics

Real exposure comes from attending ECNL Playoffs and GA playoffs/Champions Cup.

If you are not on one of these teams, your recruitment chances are not as good even if you are on VDA ( 11s and younger).


Such BS! Recruitment has nothing to do with the team. It's completely individual to the player. College coaches come out to watch individual players, not the team. Also being the big fish in a little pond is relevant: a strong player on an average team is likely to stand out even more for recruitment.


100% agree but how will the coach see you if you aren’t in a good team. The team will get you to the door first. The rest is on the player. College Coaches don’t have time and resources to go dig in lower brackets to find the big fish in the pond. They go to playoffs knowing the best is already there. Easier and economical for them.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 06:14     Subject: Is VDA the best club to get recruited from?
Anonymous wrote:Excuse me. The incoming VDA 2014 team is better than all of these on a relative basis. It could easily beat most of those 2013 teams even right now. Every one of its players will end up on a T15 college team.


Well. When they get there. There is no 2014 in ECNL standings yet
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 06:05     Subject: Is VDA the best club to get recruited from?
Excuse me. The incoming VDA 2014 team is better than all of these on a relative basis. It could easily beat most of those 2013 teams even right now. Every one of its players will end up on a T15 college team.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 06:05     Subject: Is VDA the best club to get recruited from?
Anonymous wrote:Those are the top DMV teams you can get recruited or get strong exposure from regardless of league or club.

08s:VDA, Baltimore Armor, NVA
09s: VDA, VRSC
10s:Bethesda, VDA, Baltimore Armor, MYS
11s: Bethesda, Arlington, Coppermine
12s: Arlington, FVU, SYC, Coppermine, NVA
13s: FVU, Arlington, SYC, NVA, Celtics

Real exposure comes from attending ECNL Playoffs and GA playoffs/Champions Cup.

If you are not on one of these teams, your recruitment chances are not as good even if you are on VDA ( 11s and younger).


Such BS! Recruitment has nothing to do with the team. It's completely individual to the player. College coaches come out to watch individual players, not the team. Also being the big fish in a little pond is relevant: a strong player on an average team is likely to stand out even more for recruitment.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 05:50     Subject: Is VDA the best club to get recruited from?
Those are the top DMV teams you can get recruited or get strong exposure from regardless of league or club.

08s:VDA, Baltimore Armor, NVA
09s: VDA, VRSC
10s:Bethesda, VDA, Baltimore Armor, MYS
11s: Bethesda, Arlington, Coppermine
12s: Arlington, FVU, SYC, Coppermine, NVA
13s: FVU, Arlington, SYC, NVA, Celtics

Real exposure comes from attending ECNL Playoffs and GA playoffs/Champions Cup.

If you are not on one of these teams, your recruitment chances are not as good even if you are on VDA ( 11s and younger).
Anonymous
Post 03/18/2026 15:21     Subject: Is VDA the best club to get recruited from?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There are about 40-50 girls from this area who commit to D1’s each year. That number isn’t going to change no matter how those players are spread across clubs. This year VDA has managed to recruit the bulk of those players. Some years it’s more spread out. But for those players it has little to do with the club they play for, even though parents think it does. Those same players could be at any number of other clubs and land the same D1’s. Because they are the best 40-50 soccer players in the area.


My experience tells me differently. My kid played for several ECNL clubs during her youth career. We moved during HS but in her senior year she decided to return to a former club because the program and style of play was a better fit for her preparation for college. As a matter of fact, there were several players each year who left clubs where they grew up playing soccer for this club in their senior year because the club had a reputation for preparing girls for the next level. I can also tell you that college coaches know which clubs and coaches best prepare kids and they will recruit those players from those clubs.

So I disagree wirh the above poster — Clubs and coaches matter. It is not a coincidence that VDA has a roster stacked with DI commits.

At Senior year she was switching due to style of play and preparation for college ...LOL. Tell me you dont know soccer or development or recruiting!