Anonymous
05/05/2026 15:09
Subject: Fairfax Virginia Union
Bitter for all the McLean boys who got cut in the merger. All parents could tell it was just going to be Brave 2.0. *shake my head*
Anonymous
05/05/2026 12:53
Subject: Fairfax Virginia Union
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Younger parents are constantly distracted by noises and FOMO. If your kid wants to go pro, move on to MLS Next. If the goal is college, connect them with the college coaches, play showcases, attend ID camps. Your club doesn’t matter. WHO CARE ANOUT U13 RANKINGS?
- An former FVU parent whose kid is playing in college now
I don’t know if kids care about rankings so much as quality of teammates and competition. Maybe some whose parents have made Instagram accounts for them care about racking up tournament wins and the like. But I think most kids just want to play with and against players who will challenge them. If they think a club or a team is good they will want to flock to it. If they think a club war team is not good they will avoid it.u
Nothing can guarantee quality of play. I lost count how many ugly mls next and ECNL games I watched. In the DMV area the best players often can’t afford the time or money of playing at the clubs named in this thread. And everyone knows you really don’t need to travel out of town to get beat. Every team is diluted.
Anonymous
05/05/2026 12:45
Subject: Fairfax Virginia Union
Anonymous wrote:Younger parents are constantly distracted by noises and FOMO. If your kid wants to go pro, move on to MLS Next. If the goal is college, connect them with the college coaches, play showcases, attend ID camps. Your club doesn’t matter. WHO CARE ANOUT U13 RANKINGS?
- An former FVU parent whose kid is playing in college now
I don’t know if kids care about rankings so much as quality of teammates and competition. Maybe some whose parents have made Instagram accounts for them care about racking up tournament wins and the like. But I think most kids just want to play with and against players who will challenge them. If they think a club or a team is good they will want to flock to it. If they think a club war team is not good they will avoid it.u
Anonymous
05/05/2026 12:29
Subject: Fairfax Virginia Union
Anonymous wrote:they are going to lose ECNL. Only matter of timeAnonymous wrote:What’s up over there at Fairfax Virginia Union? Might be time to make some serious organizational changes. I just checked the standings and all of the teams on the boys side have terrible records. One team was .500, the rest were all in last or second last place and there was even a team that has a -80 goal differential.
It’s not much better on the girls side once you cut out the 2012 and 2013 teams.
Would be a great boost to the competitiveness in the area if this club could get its act together. I don’t think it’s a case of too many teams, rather a lack of effort by this club to attract the 4-5 quality players they need from neighboring teams. Look at Villarreal, FPYC and grab a couple kids. I doubt anyone drives from more than 8-10 miles to play for FVU. What they have isn’t cutting it.
I mean if that is the case, wont everyone in area lose ECNL? Arl has 1 good team, same as VDA, and BSC. None will compete outside of area.
Anonymous
05/05/2026 12:10
Subject: Fairfax Virginia Union
Younger parents are constantly distracted by noises and FOMO. If your kid wants to go pro, move on to MLS Next. If the goal is college, connect them with the college coaches, play showcases, attend ID camps. Your club doesn’t matter. WHO CARE ANOUT U13 RANKINGS?
- An former FVU parent whose kid is playing in college now
- An former FVU parent whose kid is playing in college now
Anonymous
05/05/2026 11:25
Subject: Fairfax Virginia Union
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The older age groups are products of multiple club restructurings. When BRYC and Vienna merged to create BRAVE, there were several unhappy BRYC boys coaches and older players who left to form NVU. The fracture weakened the boys side. Then BRAVE was forced to partner with McLean to form FFx Union. The next year, McLean pulled out of FFx Union. And this year, all clubs are dealing with the age group changes.
That is a lot of change over the course of about 5 years. As noted, the two youngest age groups are strong right now (at least on the girls side). If FFx Union can keep those groups strong, and have some stability, they have a chance to build a stronger program.
This.
What explains the boys 2012 and 2013 results? They are both 12th out of 13, and highest overall number of goals allowed in both age groups. Didn't the restructuring happen before those teams started?
It did not.
https://www.fvaunion.org/press-release-1
So it seems 2012 would have been affected, but current 2013 would have been trying out right after this announcement. Did boys leave the older teams as a result of the turmoil? And if so, where did they go? Wouldn't McLean boys rather play ECNL than MLS Next AD, for example?
2012 in this area generally are not strong talent pool for boys. 2013 had potential but they hired a wrong coach for boys. McLean player will goto Arlington over FVU for ECNL.
Good kids on boys side leave for other clubs like Arlington NVA and VDA if they can make those clubs. Unless those clubs are too far.
Anonymous
05/05/2026 10:47
Subject: Fairfax Virginia Union
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The older age groups are products of multiple club restructurings. When BRYC and Vienna merged to create BRAVE, there were several unhappy BRYC boys coaches and older players who left to form NVU. The fracture weakened the boys side. Then BRAVE was forced to partner with McLean to form FFx Union. The next year, McLean pulled out of FFx Union. And this year, all clubs are dealing with the age group changes.
That is a lot of change over the course of about 5 years. As noted, the two youngest age groups are strong right now (at least on the girls side). If FFx Union can keep those groups strong, and have some stability, they have a chance to build a stronger program.
This.
What explains the boys 2012 and 2013 results? They are both 12th out of 13, and highest overall number of goals allowed in both age groups. Didn't the restructuring happen before those teams started?
It did not.
https://www.fvaunion.org/press-release-1
So it seems 2012 would have been affected, but current 2013 would have been trying out right after this announcement. Did boys leave the older teams as a result of the turmoil? And if so, where did they go? Wouldn't McLean boys rather play ECNL than MLS Next AD, for example?
2012 in this area generally are not strong talent pool for boys. 2013 had potential but they hired a wrong coach for boys. McLean player will goto Arlington over FVU for ECNL.
Anonymous
05/05/2026 10:12
Subject: Fairfax Virginia Union
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The older age groups are products of multiple club restructurings. When BRYC and Vienna merged to create BRAVE, there were several unhappy BRYC boys coaches and older players who left to form NVU. The fracture weakened the boys side. Then BRAVE was forced to partner with McLean to form FFx Union. The next year, McLean pulled out of FFx Union. And this year, all clubs are dealing with the age group changes.
That is a lot of change over the course of about 5 years. As noted, the two youngest age groups are strong right now (at least on the girls side). If FFx Union can keep those groups strong, and have some stability, they have a chance to build a stronger program.
This.
What explains the boys 2012 and 2013 results? They are both 12th out of 13, and highest overall number of goals allowed in both age groups. Didn't the restructuring happen before those teams started?
It did not.
https://www.fvaunion.org/press-release-1
So it seems 2012 would have been affected, but current 2013 would have been trying out right after this announcement. Did boys leave the older teams as a result of the turmoil? And if so, where did they go? Wouldn't McLean boys rather play ECNL than MLS Next AD, for example?
LOL...I don't know the ins and outs of each age group and where players went to play. I was just agreeing with the poster that there has been a lot of change in the last 5 years.
Anonymous
05/05/2026 10:10
Subject: Fairfax Virginia Union
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The older age groups are products of multiple club restructurings. When BRYC and Vienna merged to create BRAVE, there were several unhappy BRYC boys coaches and older players who left to form NVU. The fracture weakened the boys side. Then BRAVE was forced to partner with McLean to form FFx Union. The next year, McLean pulled out of FFx Union. And this year, all clubs are dealing with the age group changes.
That is a lot of change over the course of about 5 years. As noted, the two youngest age groups are strong right now (at least on the girls side). If FFx Union can keep those groups strong, and have some stability, they have a chance to build a stronger program.
This.
What explains the boys 2012 and 2013 results? They are both 12th out of 13, and highest overall number of goals allowed in both age groups. Didn't the restructuring happen before those teams started?
It did not.
https://www.fvaunion.org/press-release-1
So it seems 2012 would have been affected, but current 2013 would have been trying out right after this announcement. Did boys leave the older teams as a result of the turmoil? And if so, where did they go? Wouldn't McLean boys rather play ECNL than MLS Next AD, for example?
Nah mclean leaving the union and other clubs joining happened right around tryouts. Tryouts for u13B last year were not good and impacted roster quality. U14b and u15b for next year will reform with fresh players especially with the age change.
Anonymous
05/05/2026 09:58
Subject: Fairfax Virginia Union
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The older age groups are products of multiple club restructurings. When BRYC and Vienna merged to create BRAVE, there were several unhappy BRYC boys coaches and older players who left to form NVU. The fracture weakened the boys side. Then BRAVE was forced to partner with McLean to form FFx Union. The next year, McLean pulled out of FFx Union. And this year, all clubs are dealing with the age group changes.
That is a lot of change over the course of about 5 years. As noted, the two youngest age groups are strong right now (at least on the girls side). If FFx Union can keep those groups strong, and have some stability, they have a chance to build a stronger program.
This.
What explains the boys 2012 and 2013 results? They are both 12th out of 13, and highest overall number of goals allowed in both age groups. Didn't the restructuring happen before those teams started?
It did not.
https://www.fvaunion.org/press-release-1
So it seems 2012 would have been affected, but current 2013 would have been trying out right after this announcement. Did boys leave the older teams as a result of the turmoil? And if so, where did they go? Wouldn't McLean boys rather play ECNL than MLS Next AD, for example?
Anonymous
05/05/2026 09:47
Subject: Fairfax Virginia Union
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The older age groups are products of multiple club restructurings. When BRYC and Vienna merged to create BRAVE, there were several unhappy BRYC boys coaches and older players who left to form NVU. The fracture weakened the boys side. Then BRAVE was forced to partner with McLean to form FFx Union. The next year, McLean pulled out of FFx Union. And this year, all clubs are dealing with the age group changes.
That is a lot of change over the course of about 5 years. As noted, the two youngest age groups are strong right now (at least on the girls side). If FFx Union can keep those groups strong, and have some stability, they have a chance to build a stronger program.
This.
What explains the boys 2012 and 2013 results? They are both 12th out of 13, and highest overall number of goals allowed in both age groups. Didn't the restructuring happen before those teams started?
It did not.
https://www.fvaunion.org/press-release-1
Anonymous
05/05/2026 09:39
Subject: Fairfax Virginia Union
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The older age groups are products of multiple club restructurings. When BRYC and Vienna merged to create BRAVE, there were several unhappy BRYC boys coaches and older players who left to form NVU. The fracture weakened the boys side. Then BRAVE was forced to partner with McLean to form FFx Union. The next year, McLean pulled out of FFx Union. And this year, all clubs are dealing with the age group changes.
That is a lot of change over the course of about 5 years. As noted, the two youngest age groups are strong right now (at least on the girls side). If FFx Union can keep those groups strong, and have some stability, they have a chance to build a stronger program.
This.
What explains the boys 2012 and 2013 results? They are both 12th out of 13, and highest overall number of goals allowed in both age groups. Didn't the restructuring happen before those teams started?
Anonymous
05/05/2026 09:24
Subject: Fairfax Virginia Union
Anonymous wrote:The older age groups are products of multiple club restructurings. When BRYC and Vienna merged to create BRAVE, there were several unhappy BRYC boys coaches and older players who left to form NVU. The fracture weakened the boys side. Then BRAVE was forced to partner with McLean to form FFx Union. The next year, McLean pulled out of FFx Union. And this year, all clubs are dealing with the age group changes.
That is a lot of change over the course of about 5 years. As noted, the two youngest age groups are strong right now (at least on the girls side). If FFx Union can keep those groups strong, and have some stability, they have a chance to build a stronger program.
This.
Anonymous
05/05/2026 09:11
Subject: Fairfax Virginia Union
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Are there any current families that can comment on the club and why you choose to stay? New player starting this fall. Can’t tell if all the negativity is from outsiders or not.
Can’t speak for everyone but the reality is you stay because your kid wants to play at a national level and he can’t make SYC, Alexandria, Arlington or VDA (and also, those clubs are too far of a hike, even if you could make those teams, to ride the bench). This board is super negative but generally accurate. The facts are the facts where this club is concerned and it’s well documented here.
Do you have a son playing there currently? With all the talent in this area I’m surprised if they can’t put together good teams. Are boys staying through high school?
Anonymous
05/05/2026 08:59
Subject: Fairfax Virginia Union
TBH, this is just the perspective of a family outside the club. I think the club has been doing well, especially with the 2012 and 2013 teams performing strongly, as you can see. The only thing that held me back this year was my concern that the 2014 feeder group might not be strong enough and could struggle. However, from what I’ve heard, a group of players is planning to join next year, and a few girls may play down, so it’s actually looking better than I initially expected. Because of that, I might consider moving my child next year if her current club doesn’t work out, especially since the practice location is more convenient for me, and the club competes in ECNL.