Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So refining this topic. Based on historical results of the very top teams at each age, FCV takes the “best” crown over the last 6 to 7 years. However, how about top to bottom (top team to third team) and the overall improvement of players due to coaching and environment. What do you think of the clubs your daughter has been a part of? Any clear winners or is it just a muddled mess? Our experience has been a muddled mess. Yours?

I think it depends on what you are looking for. St James FC Virginia is the club most focused on wins. Many question their ability to develop talent for all but their very best players. For these reasons:

1. They seem to have a very high roster turnover year to year.
2. Their best DA players (top scorers) come from other clubs. Few homegrown stars.
3. The non-starters on the DA teams don’t get much playing time.
4. They seem to be playing up their better players on game days as guest players which takes away even more playing time.

All this leads to them being a destination club but not where you go to develop.

Some of these criticisms are valid though not unique to FCV. But FCV does have some really good coaches and they do develop players both for their own DA and for other top teams.

What's the definition of Very High ? One or two? Seriously, besides graduates, FCV has only lost 2 folks AT THE MOST to new teams. There is a line a mile long to take those one or two spots
Their best DA players have been with the club between 4-8 years. You can't GROW from baby DA teams - there aren't any. It starts at U13. DUH! Come on people. USE FACTS.
The playing time is very easy to look up. Go to the DA Soccer website. This simply isnt true.
FCV rarely plays girls up unless there are injuries. Or official visits or call ups to National teams. There are many many reasons to need to resort rosters.

Not true. Take the 05 YNT player that FCV is now marketing due to her call up. She joined 2 years ago from Loudoun. She immediately played up and was the best player on that team from day 1. Top scorer every year, only play up on the team, always plays 90 minutes, etc. She is one of the best players at FCV and she was recruited not developed there.

EXACTLY my point. She STARTED at FCV DA. 2 years ago she would have been 13. THE first year a player can play DA. DA starts at U13. FCV totally developed her - she wasn't "recruited". Before U13 they are just little kids and Every Single One of them is developing - they are by no means masters of the game as 12 year olds. As much as these soccer forums LOVE to talk about their 08 baby superstars - they are just that - little girls.

Wrong, she never played U13. She rolled in to FCV DA to start on the U14 team as a PLAY UP and started every game. She was the ONLY play up on that team. From Day 1 she was the star of the team.

That alone shows that FCV cannot develop players.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So refining this topic. Based on historical results of the very top teams at each age, FCV takes the “best” crown over the last 6 to 7 years. However, how about top to bottom (top team to third team) and the overall improvement of players due to coaching and environment. What do you think of the clubs your daughter has been a part of? Any clear winners or is it just a muddled mess? Our experience has been a muddled mess. Yours?

I think it depends on what you are looking for. St James FC Virginia is the club most focused on wins. Many question their ability to develop talent for all but their very best players. For these reasons:

1. They seem to have a very high roster turnover year to year.
2. Their best DA players (top scorers) come from other clubs. Few homegrown stars.
3. The non-starters on the DA teams don’t get much playing time.
4. They seem to be playing up their better players on game days as guest players which takes away even more playing time.

All this leads to them being a destination club but not where you go to develop.

Some of these criticisms are valid though not unique to FCV. But FCV does have some really good coaches and they do develop players both for their own DA and for other top teams.

What's the definition of Very High ? One or two? Seriously, besides graduates, FCV has only lost 2 folks AT THE MOST to new teams. There is a line a mile long to take those one or two spots
Their best DA players have been with the club between 4-8 years. You can't GROW from baby DA teams - there aren't any. It starts at U13. DUH! Come on people. USE FACTS.
The playing time is very easy to look up. Go to the DA Soccer website. This simply isnt true.
FCV rarely plays girls up unless there are injuries. Or official visits or call ups to National teams. There are many many reasons to need to resort rosters.

Not true. Take the 05 YNT player that FCV is now marketing due to her call up. She joined 2 years ago from Loudoun. She immediately played up and was the best player on that team from day 1. Top scorer every year, only play up on the team, always plays 90 minutes, etc. She is one of the best players at FCV and she was recruited not developed there.

EXACTLY my point. She STARTED at FCV DA. 2 years ago she would have been 13. THE first year a player can play DA. DA starts at U13. FCV totally developed her - she wasn't "recruited". Before U13 they are just little kids and Every Single One of them is developing - they are by no means masters of the game as 12 year olds. As much as these soccer forums LOVE to talk about their 08 baby superstars - they are just that - little girls.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So refining this topic. Based on historical results of the very top teams at each age, FCV takes the “best” crown over the last 6 to 7 years. However, how about top to bottom (top team to third team) and the overall improvement of players due to coaching and environment. What do you think of the clubs your daughter has been a part of? Any clear winners or is it just a muddled mess? Our experience has been a muddled mess. Yours?

I think it depends on what you are looking for. St James FC Virginia is the club most focused on wins. Many question their ability to develop talent for all but their very best players. For these reasons:

1. They seem to have a very high roster turnover year to year.
2. Their best DA players (top scorers) come from other clubs. Few homegrown stars.
3. The non-starters on the DA teams don’t get much playing time.
4. They seem to be playing up their better players on game days as guest players which takes away even more playing time.

All this leads to them being a destination club but not where you go to develop.

Some of these criticisms are valid though not unique to FCV. But FCV does have some really good coaches and they do develop players both for their own DA and for other top teams.

What's the definition of Very High ? One or two? Seriously, besides graduates, FCV has only lost 2 folks AT THE MOST to new teams. There is a line a mile long to take those one or two spots
Their best DA players have been with the club between 4-8 years. You can't GROW from baby DA teams - there aren't any. It starts at U13. DUH! Come on people. USE FACTS.
The playing time is very easy to look up. Go to the DA Soccer website. This simply isnt true.
FCV rarely plays girls up unless there are injuries. Or official visits or call ups to National teams. There are many many reasons to need to resort rosters.

Not true. Take the 05 YNT player that FCV is now marketing due to her call up. She joined 2 years ago from Loudoun. She immediately played up and was the best player on that team from day 1. Top scorer every year, only play up on the team, always plays 90 minutes, etc. She is one of the best players at FCV and she was recruited not developed there.

EXACTLY my point. She STARTED at FCV DA. 2 years ago she would have been 13. THE first year a player can play DA. DA starts at U13. FCV totally developed her - she wasn't "recruited". Before U13 they are just little kids and Every Single One of them is developing - they are by no means masters of the game as 12 year olds. As much as these soccer forums LOVE to talk about their 08 baby superstars - they are just that - little girls.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So refining this topic. Based on historical results of the very top teams at each age, FCV takes the “best” crown over the last 6 to 7 years. However, how about top to bottom (top team to third team) and the overall improvement of players due to coaching and environment. What do you think of the clubs your daughter has been a part of? Any clear winners or is it just a muddled mess? Our experience has been a muddled mess. Yours?

I think it depends on what you are looking for. St James FC Virginia is the club most focused on wins. Many question their ability to develop talent for all but their very best players. For these reasons:

1. They seem to have a very high roster turnover year to year.
2. Their best DA players (top scorers) come from other clubs. Few homegrown stars.
3. The non-starters on the DA teams don’t get much playing time.
4. They seem to be playing up their better players on game days as guest players which takes away even more playing time.

All this leads to them being a destination club but not where you go to develop.

Some of these criticisms are valid though not unique to FCV. But FCV does have some really good coaches and they do develop players both for their own DA and for other top teams.

What's the definition of Very High ? One or two? Seriously, besides graduates, FCV has only lost 2 folks AT THE MOST to new teams. There is a line a mile long to take those one or two spots
Their best DA players have been with the club between 4-8 years. You can't GROW from baby DA teams - there aren't any. It starts at U13. DUH! Come on people. USE FACTS.
The playing time is very easy to look up. Go to the DA Soccer website. This simply isnt true.
FCV rarely plays girls up unless there are injuries. Or official visits or call ups to National teams. There are many many reasons to need to resort rosters.

Not true. Take the 05 YNT player that FCV is now marketing due to her call up. She joined 2 years ago from Loudoun. She immediately played up and was the best player on that team from day 1. Top scorer every year, only play up on the team, always plays 90 minutes, etc. She is one of the best players at FCV and she was recruited not developed there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look for the best coach, not the best club (as there is no such thing). It is all about the coach and to a good degree the players.

1) Coach that focuses on player development (teaching the game, not just winning ... which funny enough usually leads to winning anyhow).
2) Players that are interested in learning and getting better and putting in hard work (yes, they want to have fun too, but they aren't arrogantly lazy and/or goof offs).
3) Logistically short drive times to practices.

That's it. You'll need to watch some games, ask around, and have kid go to some practices. Good luck!

Always choose the coach; not the club

Anonymous wrote:It is a team game. No team wins exclusively because of one player and no team loses exclusively because of one player. If one adopts the attitude that one kid only makes the good things happen then acceptance of blame for poor team performance must also be accounted for. It works both ways. If your kid scores, thank the kid who sent the pass. There are 10 other kids on the field and they win and lose together.

Anonymous wrote:Look for the best coach, not the best club (as there is no such thing). It is all about the coach and to a good degree the players.

1) Coach that focuses on player development (teaching the game, not just winning ... which funny enough usually leads to winning anyhow).
2) Players that are interested in learning and getting better and putting in hard work (yes, they want to have fun too, but they aren't arrogantly lazy and/or goof offs).
3) Logistically short drive times to practices.

That's it. You'll need to watch some games, ask around, and have kid go to some practices. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So refining this topic. Based on historical results of the very top teams at each age, FCV takes the “best” crown over the last 6 to 7 years. However, how about top to bottom (top team to third team) and the overall improvement of players due to coaching and environment. What do you think of the clubs your daughter has been a part of? Any clear winners or is it just a muddled mess? Our experience has been a muddled mess. Yours?

I think it depends on what you are looking for. St James FC Virginia is the club most focused on wins. Many question their ability to develop talent for all but their very best players. For these reasons:

1. They seem to have a very high roster turnover year to year.
2. Their best DA players (top scorers) come from other clubs. Few homegrown stars.
3. The non-starters on the DA teams don’t get much playing time.
4. They seem to be playing up their better players on game days as guest players which takes away even more playing time.

All this leads to them being a destination club but not where you go to develop.

Some of these criticisms are valid though not unique to FCV. But FCV does have some really good coaches and they do develop players both for their own DA and for other top teams.

What's the definition of Very High ? One or two? Seriously, besides graduates, FCV has only lost 2 folks AT THE MOST to new teams. There is a line a mile long to take those one or two spots
Their best DA players have been with the club between 4-8 years. You can't GROW from baby DA teams - there aren't any. It starts at U13. DUH! Come on people. USE FACTS.
The playing time is very easy to look up. Go to the DA Soccer website. This simply isnt true.
FCV rarely plays girls up unless there are injuries. Or official visits or call ups to National teams. There are many many reasons to need to resort rosters.

Not true. Take the 05 YNT player that FCV is now marketing due to her call up. She joined 2 years ago from Loudoun. She immediately played up and was the best player on that team from day 1. Top scorer every year, only play up on the team, always plays 90 minutes, etc. She is one of the best players at FCV and she was recruited not developed there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So refining this topic. Based on historical results of the very top teams at each age, FCV takes the “best” crown over the last 6 to 7 years. However, how about top to bottom (top team to third team) and the overall improvement of players due to coaching and environment. What do you think of the clubs your daughter has been a part of? Any clear winners or is it just a muddled mess? Our experience has been a muddled mess. Yours?

I think it depends on what you are looking for. St James FC Virginia is the club most focused on wins. Many question their ability to develop talent for all but their very best players. For these reasons:

1. They seem to have a very high roster turnover year to year.
2. Their best DA players (top scorers) come from other clubs. Few homegrown stars.
3. The non-starters on the DA teams don’t get much playing time.
4. They seem to be playing up their better players on game days as guest players which takes away even more playing time.

All this leads to them being a destination club but not where you go to develop.

Some of these criticisms are valid though not unique to FCV. But FCV does have some really good coaches and they do develop players both for their own DA and for other top teams.

What's the definition of Very High ? One or two? Seriously, besides graduates, FCV has only lost 2 folks AT THE MOST to new teams. There is a line a mile long to take those one or two spots
Their best DA players have been with the club between 4-8 years. You can't GROW from baby DA teams - there aren't any. It starts at U13. DUH! Come on people. USE FACTS.
The playing time is very easy to look up. Go to the DA Soccer website. This simply isnt true.
FCV rarely plays girls up unless there are injuries. Or official visits or call ups to National teams. There are many many reasons to need to resort rosters.

Anonymous wrote:Arlington isn't mentioned much on these threads, but their girls from U16 down are doing very well in the first weeks of DA play.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So refining this topic. Based on historical results of the very top teams at each age, FCV takes the “best” crown over the last 6 to 7 years. However, how about top to bottom (top team to third team) and the overall improvement of players due to coaching and environment. What do you think of the clubs your daughter has been a part of? Any clear winners or is it just a muddled mess? Our experience has been a muddled mess. Yours?

I think it depends on what you are looking for. St James FC Virginia is the club most focused on wins. Many question their ability to develop talent for all but their very best players. For these reasons:

1. They seem to have a very high roster turnover year to year.
2. Their best DA players (top scorers) come from other clubs. Few homegrown stars.
3. The non-starters on the DA teams don’t get much playing time.
4. They seem to be playing up their better players on game days as guest players which takes away even more playing time.

All this leads to them being a destination club but not where you go to develop.

Some of these criticisms are valid though not unique to FCV. But FCV does have some really good coaches and they do develop players both for their own DA and for other top teams.

Anonymous wrote:It is a team game. No team wins exclusively because of one player and no team loses exclusively because of one player. If one adopts the attitude that one kid only makes the good things happen then acceptance of blame for poor team performance must also be accounted for. It works both ways. If your kid scores, thank the kid who sent the pass. There are 10 other kids on the field and they win and lose together.