Anonymous wrote:^^ true, they have lost every game and scored a single goal but that team got a new untested coach after having had a horrible coach last year that literally drove players to ws and arlington. 07 story is far different and a good group. arlington took 06s becaus it had an elite group already, but I doubt few 07s want to go there next year as it is the opposite situation. focus on the teams/players/coaches and not the league ... hopefully mclean gives the 07s clyde, and then you'll see them stay!

If I were Clyde, I would announce the coach of the McLean 07 ECNL team now and I would tell every starting McLean 07 green player that they have a spot on ECNL next year now, before the DA starts their ID sessions.

Anonymous wrote:^^ true, they have lost every game and scored a single goal but that team got a new untested coach after having had a horrible coach last year that literally drove players to ws and arlington. 07 story is far different and a good group. arlington took 06s becaus it had an elite group already, but I doubt few 07s want to go there next year as it is the opposite situation. focus on the teams/players/coaches and not the league ... hopefully mclean gives the 07s clyde, and then you'll see them stay!

Who was the coach last year?

^^
A lot can happen with teams from U13-U15. To predict any teams future based on U12, U13-U14 performance would be a mistake. Think of U13 more like U9 all over again. You have growth spurts that likely have already happened to the rosters of the better teams which is analogous to U9 coaches selecting physically more mature players. At U9 older and more experienced players succeed in the first year of travel and the same can be said for players converting to 11v11.

How quickly kids transition to the larger field will determine their early success. Clubs handle this transition in different ways. Some will do very little obvious development specifically for early success at 11v11 and other clubs will start exposing their players to 11v11 in a variety of ways. They may play up an age at U12 in league or tournaments or they may enter special 11v11 brackets at tournaments at age.

This exposure will lead to early success but it is usually a short lived advantage.

Then there are the kids who either grow late or puberty just wasn’t kind to them. It takes some kids 2 years to get their sea legs back and others to just catch up physically. When the teams once speedy forward suddenly grows 3 inches and adds 15-20 lbs it isn’t pretty to watch while they slowly adapt to what their new body has become.

^^ true, they have lost every game and scored a single goal but that team got a new untested coach after having had a horrible coach last year that literally drove players to ws and arlington. 07 story is far different and a good group. arlington took 06s becaus it had an elite group already, but I doubt few 07s want to go there next year as it is the opposite situation. focus on the teams/players/coaches and not the league ... hopefully mclean gives the 07s clyde, and then you'll see them stay!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We will take a look at FCV too. They clearly have a strong DA program. We are going to look at all of the DA and ECNL teams. So what is keeping FCV 07 from being clear #1? Someone mentioned depth, any thoughts are appreciated.

I'm not sure they aren't #1. I actually think they are, but I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to Arlington and to Loudoun to see how they match up with clubs and teams I know. I have no doubt they are stronger than McLean.

Loudoun dominates this age group and I agree with PPs that they have all the depth. For example, their 2nd Team is better then Arlington's 1st team and has shown it can beat McLean's 1st team as well.

Loudoun and FCV seem to be the big GDA/ECNL tug-of-war, not so much these other GDA or ECNL clubs.

Arlington might enter the equation if it can attract all of McLean's top 5, but below that McLean doesn't have the depth to make Arlington a strong contender. If Arlington only attracts McLean's reserve (or 2nd team players), then ECNL inside the beltway remains strong enough for yet another year and Arlington will be a very easy win for FCV. If the key players at Loudoun band together and stay ECNL along with McLean, then Loudoun and McLean will get to enjoy good local competition at least twice a year.

McLean 06 is getting crushed in ECNL play this season, worst team in the MA by far - so perhaps ASA can pick up 07s for DA next year if those parents do not see ECNL going well.

If we don't get the "answer" this year, we will next year when those players enter the DA. How do they match up with other teams? VA may have some lagging ECNL influence but in many parts of the country, the DA is unquestionably the top league. So, when FCV plays CSA, Penn Fusion, Tophat, NCFC, those type match ups, then it becomes more clear.

I'm saying that expecting the U13 program to continue to expand, of course.

I don't think this forum or the handful of competitions thus far can really say how an 07 group is, or how deep the talent pool actually is.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We will take a look at FCV too. They clearly have a strong DA program. We are going to look at all of the DA and ECNL teams. So what is keeping FCV 07 from being clear #1? Someone mentioned depth, any thoughts are appreciated.

I'm not sure they aren't #1. I actually think they are, but I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to Arlington and to Loudoun to see how they match up with clubs and teams I know. I have no doubt they are stronger than McLean.

To be fair, shouldn't FCV 07 at least start making it to the finals games in recent tournaments they played in before you start calling them #1? Let's keep it real.

If you had older kids, you'd know tournaments don't tell you much. Coaches often use it as a time to change up line ups, change up strategies, and I've even been on teams where that's the one time they do play ups. They don't do them for leagues and regular season work, but they do them at tournaments. So, no, I don't actually judge it based on tournaments.

If you knew FCV 07 like I do, you would know that they play tournaments to win. That's an excuse.

You may be entirely right, and I could be entirely wrong. I'll see how they match up with the other clubs and teams I know.

The problem is, that won’t happen because they are not playing a heavy tourney schedule this year and when they do enter bigger tourneys they are a consistent 3rd or 4th bracket team. So yes, they win small tournaments or lower brackets in larger tournaments. They have never had a strong showing in a big tournament in the top bracket.

They have some strong players but we’re likely counting on Loudoun players coming over at some point but ECNL might be enough to keep Loudoun mostly in tact. The 07’s will be a competitive team but they will be a middle of the pack DA team.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We will take a look at FCV too. They clearly have a strong DA program. We are going to look at all of the DA and ECNL teams. So what is keeping FCV 07 from being clear #1? Someone mentioned depth, any thoughts are appreciated.

I'm not sure they aren't #1. I actually think they are, but I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to Arlington and to Loudoun to see how they match up with clubs and teams I know. I have no doubt they are stronger than McLean.

Loudoun dominates this age group and I agree with PPs that they have all the depth. For example, their 2nd Team is better then Arlington's 1st team and has shown it can beat McLean's 1st team as well.

Loudoun and FCV seem to be the big GDA/ECNL tug-of-war, not so much these other GDA or ECNL clubs.

Arlington might enter the equation if it can attract all of McLean's top 5, but below that McLean doesn't have the depth to make Arlington a strong contender. If Arlington only attracts McLean's reserve (or 2nd team players), then ECNL inside the beltway remains strong enough for yet another year and Arlington will be a very easy win for FCV. If the key players at Loudoun band together and stay ECNL along with McLean, then Loudoun and McLean will get to enjoy good local competition at least twice a year.

With Loudoun's 07 depth, are teams trying recruit their players yet? No way Loudoun can keep them all. They only have one ECNL team. I imagine there will be some movement if nothing else for players to get opportunities to play on the new club's top team.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We will take a look at FCV too. They clearly have a strong DA program. We are going to look at all of the DA and ECNL teams. So what is keeping FCV 07 from being clear #1? Someone mentioned depth, any thoughts are appreciated.

I'm not sure they aren't #1. I actually think they are, but I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to Arlington and to Loudoun to see how they match up with clubs and teams I know. I have no doubt they are stronger than McLean.

To be fair, shouldn't FCV 07 at least start making it to the finals games in recent tournaments they played in before you start calling them #1? Let's keep it real.

If you had older kids, you'd know tournaments don't tell you much. Coaches often use it as a time to change up line ups, change up strategies, and I've even been on teams where that's the one time they do play ups. They don't do them for leagues and regular season work, but they do them at tournaments. So, no, I don't actually judge it based on tournaments.

If you knew FCV 07 like I do, you would know that they play tournaments to win. That's an excuse.

You may be entirely right, and I could be entirely wrong. I'll see how they match up with the other clubs and teams I know.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We will take a look at FCV too. They clearly have a strong DA program. We are going to look at all of the DA and ECNL teams. So what is keeping FCV 07 from being clear #1? Someone mentioned depth, any thoughts are appreciated.

I'm not sure they aren't #1. I actually think they are, but I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to Arlington and to Loudoun to see how they match up with clubs and teams I know. I have no doubt they are stronger than McLean.

To be fair, shouldn't FCV 07 at least start making it to the finals games in recent tournaments they played in before you start calling them #1? Let's keep it real.

If you had older kids, you'd know tournaments don't tell you much. Coaches often use it as a time to change up line ups, change up strategies, and I've even been on teams where that's the one time they do play ups. They don't do them for leagues and regular season work, but they do them at tournaments. So, no, I don't actually judge it based on tournaments.

If you knew FCV 07 like I do, you would know that they play tournaments to win. That's an excuse.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We will take a look at FCV too. They clearly have a strong DA program. We are going to look at all of the DA and ECNL teams. So what is keeping FCV 07 from being clear #1? Someone mentioned depth, any thoughts are appreciated.

I'm not sure they aren't #1. I actually think they are, but I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to Arlington and to Loudoun to see how they match up with clubs and teams I know. I have no doubt they are stronger than McLean.

Loudoun dominates this age group and I agree with PPs that they have all the depth. For example, their 2nd Team is better then Arlington's 1st team and has shown it can beat McLean's 1st team as well.

Loudoun and FCV seem to be the big GDA/ECNL tug-of-war, not so much these other GDA or ECNL clubs.

Arlington might enter the equation if it can attract all of McLean's top 5, but below that McLean doesn't have the depth to make Arlington a strong contender. If Arlington only attracts McLean's reserve (or 2nd team players), then ECNL inside the beltway remains strong enough for yet another year and Arlington will be a very easy win for FCV. If the key players at Loudoun band together and stay ECNL along with McLean, then Loudoun and McLean will get to enjoy good local competition at least twice a year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We will take a look at FCV too. They clearly have a strong DA program. We are going to look at all of the DA and ECNL teams. So what is keeping FCV 07 from being clear #1? Someone mentioned depth, any thoughts are appreciated.

I'm not sure they aren't #1. I actually think they are, but I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to Arlington and to Loudoun to see how they match up with clubs and teams I know. I have no doubt they are stronger than McLean.

To be fair, shouldn't FCV 07 at least start making it to the finals games in recent tournaments they played in before you start calling them #1? Let's keep it real.

The bulk of the FCV 07 DA team will likely come from Loudoun. They should probably reach out to the 07s that are currently playing for Spirit and Arlington but I doubt they will move.

Depends on which one you mean - Spirit or Arlington. Not saying that either will or either won't, but the two clubs are in entirely different situations, so I don't think lumping them together makes any sense.

I am not sure players currently on the DAs teams will help FCV 07. The youngest group at DA is 06, so any 07s are current playups and likely fairly committed to the program. Playups tend to be loyalists.

Very true.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We will take a look at FCV too. They clearly have a strong DA program. We are going to look at all of the DA and ECNL teams. So what is keeping FCV 07 from being clear #1? Someone mentioned depth, any thoughts are appreciated.

I'm not sure they aren't #1. I actually think they are, but I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to Arlington and to Loudoun to see how they match up with clubs and teams I know. I have no doubt they are stronger than McLean.

To be fair, shouldn't FCV 07 at least start making it to the finals games in recent tournaments they played in before you start calling them #1? Let's keep it real.

The bulk of the FCV 07 DA team will likely come from Loudoun. They should probably reach out to the 07s that are currently playing for Spirit and Arlington but I doubt they will move.

Depends on which one you mean - Spirit or Arlington. Not saying that either will or either won't, but the two clubs are in entirely different situations, so I don't think lumping them together makes any sense.

I am not sure players currently on the DAs teams will help FCV 07. The youngest group at DA is 06, so any 07s are current playups and likely fairly committed to the program. Playups tend to be loyalists.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We will take a look at FCV too. They clearly have a strong DA program. We are going to look at all of the DA and ECNL teams. So what is keeping FCV 07 from being clear #1? Someone mentioned depth, any thoughts are appreciated.

I'm not sure they aren't #1. I actually think they are, but I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to Arlington and to Loudoun to see how they match up with clubs and teams I know. I have no doubt they are stronger than McLean.

To be fair, shouldn't FCV 07 at least start making it to the finals games in recent tournaments they played in before you start calling them #1? Let's keep it real.

The bulk of the FCV 07 DA team will likely come from Loudoun. They should probably reach out to the 07s that are currently playing for Spirit and Arlington but I doubt they will move.

Depends on which one you mean - Spirit or Arlington. Not saying that either will or either won't, but the two clubs are in entirely different situations, so I don't think lumping them together makes any sense.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We will take a look at FCV too. They clearly have a strong DA program. We are going to look at all of the DA and ECNL teams. So what is keeping FCV 07 from being clear #1? Someone mentioned depth, any thoughts are appreciated.

I'm not sure they aren't #1. I actually think they are, but I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to Arlington and to Loudoun to see how they match up with clubs and teams I know. I have no doubt they are stronger than McLean.

To be fair, shouldn't FCV 07 at least start making it to the finals games in recent tournaments they played in before you start calling them #1? Let's keep it real.

And actually play in top brackets? FCV seems to be ducking out of WAGS this year too. Based on last years showing they probably should.