Anonymous
Post 05/20/2020 13:01     Subject: Re:Bethesda Soccer Plans
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:A lot of praise for KL but can someone please tell me what KL has done? Is this only because the previous Bethesda regime was so bad?




That's a fair question. But you may be right to a point, in that the past regime (the chief offender is still there though) was pretty narrow focused and kept the same players in the pipeline from U9 all the way through, and only incentivizing a couple players per team year in year out which made those parents a bit too comfortable and entitled.

Like all of us, KL is not perfect, but I think he recognizes this issue and trying to mix it up a bit. Now for all the hype about MRM players coming in to the '06 group and creating a super team of sorts, let's see how that pans out.


My DD played against KL's MRM team for several years. He is intense and his teams were some of the most competitive on a national level even without the ECNL platform. His club consistently thrashed Bethesda's ECNL both at the 05 and 06 ages. This is the best example of all that Bethesda's girls program is over-rated and why dozens of current and future DI commits in MoCo and FrCo pass Bethesda on the way to McLean and MUFC. I don't know why but Bethesda wasn't consistent in its development of DI players. The feedback by some is that parents of certain kids run the show. All I know is that outside of the one or two clubs, Bethesda is not competitive on a national level. Last year, I believe only one Bethesda team was in the top half of the NE Conference standings.Consider that this year, there aren't many DI signees compared to McLean and MUFC, which are sending over two dozen between the two of them.

Bethesda woke up last hear and decided to change direction by bringing in outside coaching talent. Hence, the KL hire. If he could compete on a national level under the MSI and MRM Rush flag, he will do wonders at Bethesda. When kids are wiling to drive 30 miles to practice or brave the American Legion RH traffic when they live next to WJ or Wootton, Bethesda has a problem. Give KL a year or two. Pay attention to the 05 team, which is already one of the top teams in the nation. The 06 team will follow suit. That 04 ECNL team also has potential. There is also a rumor that Bethesda might bring in another talented coach.

Bethesda was never a rival to Bethesda but might become with KL in charge. If he can create national contenders at MSI and Rush, he can do it at Bethesda, despite the parents.

He was successful at USYS and at the younger age groups. He coached in the ECNL before with Md United at U18 with the players from MSI/Rush and a bunch of studs from Md United and elsewhere (girl that went to UNC) with a stacked team and he was not successful in the ECNL. He had more talent on that team then the current 06 and 05 combined.
The ECNL especially at the older age groups is a much different animal. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of top coaches that still coach at the younger age groups so his success with all his recruiting there should be expected.
Bethesda had an influx of talent when the last regime came in and where did that get them? The quick fixes and bandaid approach to development will keep them mediocre for a long time. When the club was under the leadership of EP they had class and were a national power. Is there a coincidence?


EP
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2020 12:47     Subject: Re:Bethesda Soccer Plans
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:A lot of praise for KL but can someone please tell me what KL has done? Is this only because the previous Bethesda regime was so bad?




That's a fair question. But you may be right to a point, in that the past regime (the chief offender is still there though) was pretty narrow focused and kept the same players in the pipeline from U9 all the way through, and only incentivizing a couple players per team year in year out which made those parents a bit too comfortable and entitled.

Like all of us, KL is not perfect, but I think he recognizes this issue and trying to mix it up a bit. Now for all the hype about MRM players coming in to the '06 group and creating a super team of sorts, let's see how that pans out.


My DD played against KL's MRM team for several years. He is intense and his teams were some of the most competitive on a national level even without the ECNL platform. His club consistently thrashed Bethesda's ECNL both at the 05 and 06 ages. This is the best example of all that Bethesda's girls program is over-rated and why dozens of current and future DI commits in MoCo and FrCo pass Bethesda on the way to McLean and MUFC. I don't know why but Bethesda wasn't consistent in its development of DI players. The feedback by some is that parents of certain kids run the show. All I know is that outside of the one or two clubs, Bethesda is not competitive on a national level. Last year, I believe only one Bethesda team was in the top half of the NE Conference standings.Consider that this year, there aren't many DI signees compared to McLean and MUFC, which are sending over two dozen between the two of them.

Bethesda woke up last hear and decided to change direction by bringing in outside coaching talent. Hence, the KL hire. If he could compete on a national level under the MSI and MRM Rush flag, he will do wonders at Bethesda. When kids are wiling to drive 30 miles to practice or brave the American Legion RH traffic when they live next to WJ or Wootton, Bethesda has a problem. Give KL a year or two. Pay attention to the 05 team, which is already one of the top teams in the nation. The 06 team will follow suit. That 04 ECNL team also has potential. There is also a rumor that Bethesda might bring in another talented coach.

Bethesda was never a rival to Bethesda but might become with KL in charge. If he can create national contenders at MSI and Rush, he can do it at Bethesda, despite the parents.

He was successful at USYS and at the younger age groups. He coached in the ECNL before with Md United at U18 with the players from MSI/Rush and a bunch of studs from Md United and elsewhere (girl that went to UNC) with a stacked team and he was not successful in the ECNL. He had more talent on that team then the current 06 and 05 combined.
The ECNL especially at the older age groups is a much different animal. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of top coaches that still coach at the younger age groups so his success with all his recruiting there should be expected.
Bethesda had an influx of talent when the last regime came in and where did that get them? The quick fixes and bandaid approach to development will keep them mediocre for a long time. When the club was under the leadership of EP they had class and were a national power. Is there a coincidence?
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2020 12:39     Subject: Re:Bethesda Soccer Plans
Here is what we witnessed this year at Bethesda. He is intense - but not just in games, also in practices. He pushes the girls, the girls push themselves, and they see major results. He started with his 2 teams assigned to him at the beginning of the year. By winter he was either taking over other teams or co-coaching 5 teams. It was a small coaching squad working together and driving a style. KL is meticulous, works too much, and very clear on the goals of the club to be very competitive. You may not agree with him, but he is transparent. He also essentially pushed his "curriculum" / style into younger ages so they don't progress with gaps.

The joke is - well maybe the reality - he took over the (girl's) club. He is not perfect - he is not always easy to play for. Though he has a fun side that the girls occasionally see. There are still some issues at BSC that need to be addressed- like any club - but he took the program a step forward. If I had a younger kid, I know they would get better development now. And yes, the past regime was bad - development, inconsistency, politics, etc.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2020 12:18     Subject: Re:Bethesda Soccer Plans
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:A lot of praise for KL but can someone please tell me what KL has done? Is this only because the previous Bethesda regime was so bad?




That's a fair question. But you may be right to a point, in that the past regime (the chief offender is still there though) was pretty narrow focused and kept the same players in the pipeline from U9 all the way through, and only incentivizing a couple players per team year in year out which made those parents a bit too comfortable and entitled.

Like all of us, KL is not perfect, but I think he recognizes this issue and trying to mix it up a bit. Now for all the hype about MRM players coming in to the '06 group and creating a super team of sorts, let's see how that pans out.


My DD played against KL's MRM team for several years. He is intense and his teams were some of the most competitive on a national level even without the ECNL platform. His club consistently thrashed Bethesda's ECNL both at the 05 and 06 ages. This is the best example of all that Bethesda's girls program is over-rated and why dozens of current and future DI commits in MoCo and FrCo pass Bethesda on the way to McLean and MUFC. I don't know why but Bethesda wasn't consistent in its development of DI players. The feedback by some is that parents of certain kids run the show. All I know is that outside of the one or two clubs, Bethesda is not competitive on a national level. Last year, I believe only one Bethesda team was in the top half of the NE Conference standings.Consider that this year, there aren't many DI signees compared to McLean and MUFC, which are sending over two dozen between the two of them.

Bethesda woke up last hear and decided to change direction by bringing in outside coaching talent. Hence, the KL hire. If he could compete on a national level under the MSI and MRM Rush flag, he will do wonders at Bethesda. When kids are wiling to drive 30 miles to practice or brave the American Legion RH traffic when they live next to WJ or Wootton, Bethesda has a problem. Give KL a year or two. Pay attention to the 05 team, which is already one of the top teams in the nation. The 06 team will follow suit. That 04 ECNL team also has potential. There is also a rumor that Bethesda might bring in another talented coach.

Bethesda was never a rival to Bethesda but might become with KL in charge. If he can create national contenders at MSI and Rush, he can do it at Bethesda, despite the parents.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2020 11:44     Subject: Re:Bethesda Soccer Plans
Anonymous wrote:A lot of praise for KL but can someone please tell me what KL has done? Is this only because the previous Bethesda regime was so bad?




That's a fair question. But you may be right to a point, in that the past regime (the chief offender is still there though) was pretty narrow focused and kept the same players in the pipeline from U9 all the way through, and only incentivizing a couple players per team year in year out which made those parents a bit too comfortable and entitled.

Like all of us, KL is not perfect, but I think he recognizes this issue and trying to mix it up a bit. Now for all the hype about MRM players coming in to the '06 group and creating a super team of sorts, let's see how that pans out.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2020 00:31     Subject: Re:Bethesda Soccer Plans
A lot of praise for KL but can someone please tell me what KL has done? Is this only because the previous Bethesda regime was so bad?
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2020 21:37     Subject: Re:Bethesda Soccer Plans
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:the problem is your son/daughter would really have to be a standbout because by u14 or so teams are stacked with talent and it IS harder to break into a team at that point.

And I can guarantee the drills that the bethesda coaches are running are much faster and more technical than non ECNL teams, especially KL drills.


I think it depends on the team below U15. But if the team was relatively stacked - and you have KL (or the coaches working closely with him that coach the same way), it’s going to be hard to catch that gap. KL knows how to develop and is driving the ship. But if you do have the talent - yes they will take you. As a parent, where do you develop that talent at a mid tier team.



I think two years ago I would have argued that there were plenty if teams outside of ECNL/DA that were much better than Bethesda and I think there are still a few but it is increasinly no the case as clubs like MRM Rush, Pipeline, SAC and Baltimore Celtic/Baltimore Union either join ECNL/GA or have teams that merge with existing ECNL/GA clubs. MRM and KL over from a non-ECNL/DA club and basically took over Bethesda girls.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2020 19:37     Subject: Re:Bethesda Soccer Plans
Anonymous wrote:the problem is your son/daughter would really have to be a standbout because by u14 or so teams are stacked with talent and it IS harder to break into a team at that point.

And I can guarantee the drills that the bethesda coaches are running are much faster and more technical than non ECNL teams, especially KL drills.


I think it depends on the team below U15. But if the team was relatively stacked - and you have KL (or the coaches working closely with him that coach the same way), it’s going to be hard to catch that gap. KL knows how to develop and is driving the ship. But if you do have the talent - yes they will take you. As a parent, where do you develop that talent at a mid tier team.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2020 18:03     Subject: Re:Bethesda Soccer Plans
the problem is your son/daughter would really have to be a standbout because by u14 or so teams are stacked with talent and it IS harder to break into a team at that point.

And I can guarantee the drills that the bethesda coaches are running are much faster and more technical than non ECNL teams, especially KL drills.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2020 17:20     Subject: Re:Bethesda Soccer Plans
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:From years of observation, don't knock your self out with trying to get on an ECNL 1 team while your DD is in middle school. Get on a team and continue to get play time and develop while saving money. College coaches are not looking at players at that age, so it's just a parent ego thing. Then in 9th grade, try to make the move, as by then most of those earlier ECNL players have gotten complacent and skills start to diminish and can no longer depend on size and speed as those aspects all balance out eventually. Technical skill and soccer IQ wins the day.

Seen this happen time and time again at Bethesda hence they struggle to compete at the older age groups.


There’s a counter argument of what you said. Some has indicated that if a player is not able to join the top team by U13, it’s much tougher to join later. The second argument is that if a player is not on the top team practicing with other top players and playing against top competition, the player will not properly develop and won’t be able to handle the faster speed of play and IQ.

MY DD is not in ECNL, so I can’t speak if the counter arguments are true. Love for others to shed light.


The counter argument is somewhat correct, in that it's a bit harder to join at a later time. But this is not due to players who were not on the ECNL roster before not having the talent, but history has shown it's more of the club leaders not wanting to admit to their earlier choice of some players skills may have diminished and it's time to make a change. One can easily see players who were at the top of their game at U12/U13, not there at U15 because there is no longer a competitive advantage with size and speed as in earlier years.

I suspect this may change with KL on board though, as he is a new set of eyeballs.

If not on an ECNL 1 roster early on, just keep working on technical skill, and the payoff will be there. The speed of play at ECNL 1 is faster, but it's something players will adapt to quickly.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2020 17:16     Subject: Re:Bethesda Soccer Plans
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:From years of observation, don't knock your self out with trying to get on an ECNL 1 team while your DD is in middle school. Get on a team and continue to get play time and develop while saving money. College coaches are not looking at players at that age, so it's just a parent ego thing. Then in 9th grade, try to make the move, as by then most of those earlier ECNL players have gotten complacent and skills start to diminish and can no longer depend on size and speed as those aspects all balance out eventually. Technical skill and soccer IQ wins the day.

Seen this happen time and time again at Bethesda hence they struggle to compete at the older age groups.


There’s a counter argument of what you said. Some has indicated that if a player is not able to join the top team by U13, it’s much tougher to join later. The second argument is that if a player is not on the top team practicing with other top players and playing against top competition, the player will not properly develop and won’t be able to handle the faster speed of play and IQ.

MY DD is not in ECNL, so I can’t speak if the counter arguments are true. Love for others to shed light.


It’s not the speed of play or the soccer IQ. The difference is the physicality of play and speed of the girls. This is specially true at u13 and u14. You would be surprise by the lack of skill and slow speed of play on ECNL/ex da teams. They make up for it by being fast and physical. Remember this middle school and high school soccer.
Speed of play depends on technical skills. College the speed of play really picks up and pro it take a another huge leap.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2020 17:01     Subject: Re:Bethesda Soccer Plans
Anonymous wrote:From years of observation, don't knock your self out with trying to get on an ECNL 1 team while your DD is in middle school. Get on a team and continue to get play time and develop while saving money. College coaches are not looking at players at that age, so it's just a parent ego thing. Then in 9th grade, try to make the move, as by then most of those earlier ECNL players have gotten complacent and skills start to diminish and can no longer depend on size and speed as those aspects all balance out eventually. Technical skill and soccer IQ wins the day.

Seen this happen time and time again at Bethesda hence they struggle to compete at the older age groups.


There’s a counter argument of what you said. Some has indicated that if a player is not able to join the top team by U13, it’s much tougher to join later. The second argument is that if a player is not on the top team practicing with other top players and playing against top competition, the player will not properly develop and won’t be able to handle the faster speed of play and IQ.

MY DD is not in ECNL, so I can’t speak if the counter arguments are true. Love for others to shed light.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2020 15:16     Subject: Re:Bethesda Soccer Plans
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:From years of observation, don't knock your self out with trying to get on an ECNL 1 team while your DD is in middle school. Get on a team and continue to get play time and develop while saving money. College coaches are not looking at players at that age, so it's just a parent ego thing. Then in 9th grade, try to make the move, as by then most of those earlier ECNL players have gotten complacent and skills start to diminish and can no longer depend on size and speed as those aspects all balance out eventually. Technical skill and soccer IQ wins the day.

Seen this happen time and time again at Bethesda hence they struggle to compete at the older age groups.


+10000


Agree with above. Bethesda is changing direction and will get better but there is no reason to go all out to join ECNL at U13. It matters at u16 and you want to be involved at u15 or maybe u14. MRM Rush had a super competitive team that did not travel anywhere near as far as the Bethesda ECNL but the best players from the 05 and 06 teams came to Bethesda and replaced 6 to 7 players. ECNL pre-U15 is overrated.


On another topic, the list of schools here is impressive. Sadly, the girls side is not represented well. FCV, McLean and MUFC are sending most of their seniors to DI schools next year. Bethesda has a ways to go to get to that level.

https://www.soccerwire.com/news/bethesda-sc-celebrates-over-40-seniors-going-on-to-play-college-soccer/
Anonymous
Post 05/17/2020 16:28     Subject: Re:Bethesda Soccer Plans
Anonymous wrote:From years of observation, don't knock your self out with trying to get on an ECNL 1 team while your DD is in middle school. Get on a team and continue to get play time and develop while saving money. College coaches are not looking at players at that age, so it's just a parent ego thing. Then in 9th grade, try to make the move, as by then most of those earlier ECNL players have gotten complacent and skills start to diminish and can no longer depend on size and speed as those aspects all balance out eventually. Technical skill and soccer IQ wins the day.

Seen this happen time and time again at Bethesda hence they struggle to compete at the older age groups.


+10000
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2020 11:02     Subject: Re:Bethesda Soccer Plans
From years of observation, don't knock your self out with trying to get on an ECNL 1 team while your DD is in middle school. Get on a team and continue to get play time and develop while saving money. College coaches are not looking at players at that age, so it's just a parent ego thing. Then in 9th grade, try to make the move, as by then most of those earlier ECNL players have gotten complacent and skills start to diminish and can no longer depend on size and speed as those aspects all balance out eventually. Technical skill and soccer IQ wins the day.

Seen this happen time and time again at Bethesda hence they struggle to compete at the older age groups.