Anonymous
Post 02/25/2025 03:37     Subject: The U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team Roster
Anonymous wrote:When is the last time a local kid got minutes as a 16 year old in the Bundesliga?

Does Achilles get paid out for by Frankfurt for this? How does it work?


You guys don't know what you're talking about about. The kid is in the ACADEMY of a Bundesliga team. NOT A PRO and not on a professional contract despite what many may think. Not getting paid. calm down. Lots of Americans in pro academies overseas.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2025 02:40     Subject: The U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team Roster
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Achilles because of location and the coach's affiliation to a prominent private school plus being in MLS Next will always draw some good individual players

Otherwise, the coaching is horrible and the teams are whipping posts for everyone



THIS! They groom a few key boys they can show off, and ignore the rest. Just watch a practice. Practice after practice, he creates groups, shouts out a drill to do, creates teams for the scrimmage, but field full of boys with no coaching, just drilling / scrimmaging among themselves. Sometimes a random assitant coach is placed somewhere but never SAYS anthing. And Sal focus on a small group of 10-15 of his favorites -- they are the better ones. For them, they get your own private training, stay on Sal's good side (boy and parents), and you get to start and play most of the game. Rest are revenue.


This is 100% accurate. And as for the kid signing with the age-level (U17) Bundesliga academy, he also has an Italian passport -- without it, he could not make the move.


So you cracked the code. The secret is an Italian passport.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2025 02:37     Subject: The U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team Roster
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Achilles because of location and the coach's affiliation to a prominent private school plus being in MLS Next will always draw some good individual players

Otherwise, the coaching is horrible and the teams are whipping posts for everyone



THIS! They groom a few key boys they can show off, and ignore the rest. Just watch a practice. Practice after practice, he creates groups, shouts out a drill to do, creates teams for the scrimmage, but field full of boys with no coaching, just drilling / scrimmaging among themselves. Sometimes a random assitant coach is placed somewhere but never SAYS anthing. And Sal focus on a small group of 10-15 of his favorites -- they are the better ones. For them, they get your own private training, stay on Sal's good side (boy and parents), and you get to start and play most of the game. Rest are revenue.


That is not our experience.

It sounds like your child was not a good fit in the program. Sorry.

Anonymous
Post 02/25/2025 01:25     Subject: The U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team Roster
My son has played for Achilles and more recently a new club (for us). He has close friends on the new/current club and its closer to home which is nice, but Achilles training was significantly better than where we are now. Night and day better. We are working with an outside/private coach to suppliment where we did not feel the need for that with Achilles. Not sure we will go back, mainly due to location, but there are definitely things I miss.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2025 23:30     Subject: The U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team Roster
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Achilles because of location and the coach's affiliation to a prominent private school plus being in MLS Next will always draw some good individual players

Otherwise, the coaching is horrible and the teams are whipping posts for everyone



THIS! They groom a few key boys they can show off, and ignore the rest. Just watch a practice. Practice after practice, he creates groups, shouts out a drill to do, creates teams for the scrimmage, but field full of boys with no coaching, just drilling / scrimmaging among themselves. Sometimes a random assitant coach is placed somewhere but never SAYS anthing. And Sal focus on a small group of 10-15 of his favorites -- they are the better ones. For them, they get your own private training, stay on Sal's good side (boy and parents), and you get to start and play most of the game. Rest are revenue.


This is 100% accurate. And as for the kid signing with the age-level (U17) Bundesliga academy, he also has an Italian passport -- without it, he could not make the move.



The kid already got minutes for the first team. Like right away. Stop acting like he trying to make it in the academy.


He came out at the 59th minute of his first U17 game.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2025 23:11     Subject: The U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team Roster
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Achilles because of location and the coach's affiliation to a prominent private school plus being in MLS Next will always draw some good individual players

Otherwise, the coaching is horrible and the teams are whipping posts for everyone



THIS! They groom a few key boys they can show off, and ignore the rest. Just watch a practice. Practice after practice, he creates groups, shouts out a drill to do, creates teams for the scrimmage, but field full of boys with no coaching, just drilling / scrimmaging among themselves. Sometimes a random assitant coach is placed somewhere but never SAYS anthing. And Sal focus on a small group of 10-15 of his favorites -- they are the better ones. For them, they get your own private training, stay on Sal's good side (boy and parents), and you get to start and play most of the game. Rest are revenue.


This is 100% accurate. And as for the kid signing with the age-level (U17) Bundesliga academy, he also has an Italian passport -- without it, he could not make the move.



The kid already got minutes for the first team. Like right away. Stop acting like he trying to make it in the academy.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2025 22:50     Subject: The U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team Roster
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Achilles because of location and the coach's affiliation to a prominent private school plus being in MLS Next will always draw some good individual players

Otherwise, the coaching is horrible and the teams are whipping posts for everyone



THIS! They groom a few key boys they can show off, and ignore the rest. Just watch a practice. Practice after practice, he creates groups, shouts out a drill to do, creates teams for the scrimmage, but field full of boys with no coaching, just drilling / scrimmaging among themselves. Sometimes a random assitant coach is placed somewhere but never SAYS anthing. And Sal focus on a small group of 10-15 of his favorites -- they are the better ones. For them, they get your own private training, stay on Sal's good side (boy and parents), and you get to start and play most of the game. Rest are revenue.


This is 100% accurate. And as for the kid signing with the age-level (U17) Bundesliga academy, he also has an Italian passport -- without it, he could not make the move.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2025 22:13     Subject: The U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team Roster
Anonymous wrote:Achilles because of location and the coach's affiliation to a prominent private school plus being in MLS Next will always draw some good individual players

Otherwise, the coaching is horrible and the teams are whipping posts for everyone



THIS! They groom a few key boys they can show off, and ignore the rest. Just watch a practice. Practice after practice, he creates groups, shouts out a drill to do, creates teams for the scrimmage, but field full of boys with no coaching, just drilling / scrimmaging among themselves. Sometimes a random assitant coach is placed somewhere but never SAYS anthing. And Sal focus on a small group of 10-15 of his favorites -- they are the better ones. For them, they get your own private training, stay on Sal's good side (boy and parents), and you get to start and play most of the game. Rest are revenue.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2025 21:57     Subject: The U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team Roster
Anonymous wrote:When is the last time a local kid got minutes as a 16 year old in the Bundesliga?

Does Achilles get paid out for by Frankfurt for this? How does it work?


Google.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2025 21:38     Subject: The U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team Roster
When is the last time a local kid got minutes as a 16 year old in the Bundesliga?

Does Achilles get paid out for by Frankfurt for this? How does it work?
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2025 20:52     Subject: The U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team Roster
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Congrats to Mateo! Great work!

Congrats to Achilles on a major accomplishment!

For the record, I am a parent of a player looking for a new club and not an Achilles parent. I did not see DC United, SYC or Bethesda on this list so kudos to Achilles for representing the DMV.

If the DMV is ever going to begin producing the talent that it is capable of, parents should stop focusing on win/loss and focus on individual development of the players. You folks look completely ignorant and have not done the research for how talent in soccer is developed. My son worked with a trainer this weekend who said he has SO MANY MLS Next players trying to correct deficiencies because they got away with them while they were "winning" at younger ages because getting completely "found out" in the later teen years.

There is a reason there are not many DMV players on the national scene.

There is a reason why D1 programs recruit so many international kids versus homegrown.

Ball mastery and player development are important. In my humble opinion, there are only four clubs in the DC Metro area (excluding B-More clubs) that develop players and Achilles is one of them.

For the record, all of my children have been called much worse than a pu$$y from the players on opposing teams and my youngest is not a teenager yet. The more affluent the opposing team, the more aggressive the language which is concurrent with DCUM behavior.

My team has played Achilles and I was not excited about one comment I heard one of the coaches say to one of the players. Should I let one comment of which I had no context ruin an entire organization or my viewpoint of the organization permanently?

I am going to scout Achilles games on my own this spring and do my research and see if it may be a fit as my current club is no longer a fit.

Folks have to chill out as if this is Sharks vs. Jets.

Congrats again Mateo! Congrats again Achilles!

Rep the DMV!


You ain't fooling nobody with your fake I'm Neutral approach Mr Achilles

Many of the Achilles players if not all do private training and group training with the likes of Next Star and Coach Brandon etc outside of Achilles team sessions
Thats the key to the development of the top performers, not the negative hollering, bashing and name calling.

Would you allow your kid's math teacher to do the same in school?


I’d suggest doing your own due diligence and absolutely ignore this joker. His DC didn’t make the cut two years ago and since? Waged troll war on this site any time Achilles FC comes up. A sad little human.

It should be noted another U16 Achilles FC talent signed with a pro team in the Bundesliga last week (Google: Gustavo Borges Achilles FC, for more info.). Gustavo is another home grown talent, but that won’t stop the Achilles FC troll from going on like a raving lunatic.


Anonymous
Post 02/24/2025 18:40     Subject: The U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team Roster
Anonymous wrote:Congrats to Mateo! Great work!

Congrats to Achilles on a major accomplishment!

For the record, I am a parent of a player looking for a new club and not an Achilles parent. I did not see DC United, SYC or Bethesda on this list so kudos to Achilles for representing the DMV.

If the DMV is ever going to begin producing the talent that it is capable of, parents should stop focusing on win/loss and focus on individual development of the players. You folks look completely ignorant and have not done the research for how talent in soccer is developed. My son worked with a trainer this weekend who said he has SO MANY MLS Next players trying to correct deficiencies because they got away with them while they were "winning" at younger ages because getting completely "found out" in the later teen years.

There is a reason there are not many DMV players on the national scene.

There is a reason why D1 programs recruit so many international kids versus homegrown.

Ball mastery and player development are important. In my humble opinion, there are only four clubs in the DC Metro area (excluding B-More clubs) that develop players and Achilles is one of them.

For the record, all of my children have been called much worse than a pu$$y from the players on opposing teams and my youngest is not a teenager yet. The more affluent the opposing team, the more aggressive the language which is concurrent with DCUM behavior.

My team has played Achilles and I was not excited about one comment I heard one of the coaches say to one of the players. Should I let one comment of which I had no context ruin an entire organization or my viewpoint of the organization permanently?

I am going to scout Achilles games on my own this spring and do my research and see if it may be a fit as my current club is no longer a fit.

Folks have to chill out as if this is Sharks vs. Jets.

Congrats again Mateo! Congrats again Achilles!

Rep the DMV!


You ain't fooling nobody with your fake I'm Neutral approach Mr Achilles

Many of the Achilles players if not all do private training and group training with the likes of Next Star and Coach Brandon etc outside of Achilles team sessions
Thats the key to the development of the top performers, not the negative hollering, bashing and name calling.

Would you allow your kid's math teacher to do the same in school?
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2025 18:11     Subject: The U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team Roster
Anonymous wrote:Congrats to Mateo! Great work!

Congrats to Achilles on a major accomplishment!

For the record, I am a parent of a player looking for a new club and not an Achilles parent. I did not see DC United, SYC or Bethesda on this list so kudos to Achilles for representing the DMV.

If the DMV is ever going to begin producing the talent that it is capable of, parents should stop focusing on win/loss and focus on individual development of the players. You folks look completely ignorant and have not done the research for how talent in soccer is developed. My son worked with a trainer this weekend who said he has SO MANY MLS Next players trying to correct deficiencies because they got away with them while they were "winning" at younger ages because getting completely "found out" in the later teen years.

There is a reason there are not many DMV players on the national scene.

There is a reason why D1 programs recruit so many international kids versus homegrown.

Ball mastery and player development are important. In my humble opinion, there are only four clubs in the DC Metro area (excluding B-More clubs) that develop players and Achilles is one of them.

For the record, all of my children have been called much worse than a pu$$y from the players on opposing teams and my youngest is not a teenager yet. The more affluent the opposing team, the more aggressive the language which is concurrent with DCUM behavior.

My team has played Achilles and I was not excited about one comment I heard one of the coaches say to one of the players. Should I let one comment of which I had no context ruin an entire organization or my viewpoint of the organization permanently?

I am going to scout Achilles games on my own this spring and do my research and see if it may be a fit as my current club is no longer a fit.

Folks have to chill out as if this is Sharks vs. Jets.

Congrats again Mateo! Congrats again Achilles!

Rep the DMV!


You should absolutely do your research on Achilles before you sign up your son. But you have no basis to be so dismissive and critical of other parents' experiences with the club. You are an outsider. Inappropriate comments from coaches to kids during games is the very least of the problems. You have no idea.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2025 16:56     Subject: The U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team Roster
Anonymous wrote:
For the record, all of my children have been called much worse than a pu$$y from the players on opposing teams and my youngest is not a teenager yet. The more affluent the opposing team, the more aggressive the language which is concurrent with DCUM behavior.


Rep the DMV!


Witnessed this at indoor soccer this past weekend, the Arlington Coach Dad was aggressively yelling and pointing his finger at 10 year old girls at the sportsplex, we've never played against a bigger asshat. I can't imagine what damage he is doing in terms of player development.

This is our 4th year in travel & we have had 4 different coaches. I have yet to see any real & sustained evidence of a focus on Player Development. It has mostly been team coaching: (scrimmaging, some basic drills, some fitness, spacing and communication). I have witnessed coaches try kids out in new positions, on the fly, and when the kid doesn't do very well in a game, they remove them or sub them. If coaches had a plan, they would practice the kids in those new positions for a few weeks, then try them out in games and give them feedback, teach them & coach them and let them try again. <--That would be player development so they are a more well-rounded player. But nope! Sub them in, and pull them out, then put them back in their old position. My kid is turning out to be a heck of L winger, but that is it.

So yes, if you want player development, you're going to have to supplement or look closely at how players are coached at practice. Even on our top teams, we have kids who are excellent... but only at a few things, and they didn't even learn those things at our club!
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2025 16:15     Subject: The U.S. U-16 Boys’ National Team Roster
Congrats to Mateo! Great work!

Congrats to Achilles on a major accomplishment!

For the record, I am a parent of a player looking for a new club and not an Achilles parent. I did not see DC United, SYC or Bethesda on this list so kudos to Achilles for representing the DMV.

If the DMV is ever going to begin producing the talent that it is capable of, parents should stop focusing on win/loss and focus on individual development of the players. You folks look completely ignorant and have not done the research for how talent in soccer is developed. My son worked with a trainer this weekend who said he has SO MANY MLS Next players trying to correct deficiencies because they got away with them while they were "winning" at younger ages because getting completely "found out" in the later teen years.

There is a reason there are not many DMV players on the national scene.

There is a reason why D1 programs recruit so many international kids versus homegrown.

Ball mastery and player development are important. In my humble opinion, there are only four clubs in the DC Metro area (excluding B-More clubs) that develop players and Achilles is one of them.

For the record, all of my children have been called much worse than a pu$$y from the players on opposing teams and my youngest is not a teenager yet. The more affluent the opposing team, the more aggressive the language which is concurrent with DCUM behavior.

My team has played Achilles and I was not excited about one comment I heard one of the coaches say to one of the players. Should I let one comment of which I had no context ruin an entire organization or my viewpoint of the organization permanently?

I am going to scout Achilles games on my own this spring and do my research and see if it may be a fit as my current club is no longer a fit.

Folks have to chill out as if this is Sharks vs. Jets.

Congrats again Mateo! Congrats again Achilles!

Rep the DMV!