Anonymous wrote:For non-Academy/ECNL teams, any sense of how long it takes Arlington to make offers after tryouts are over for an age group?

Think they had tryout for outside girls this week and invited some to practice. So bet it’s by the end of the week?

For non-Academy/ECNL teams, any sense of how long it takes Arlington to make offers after tryouts are over for an age group?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adding Omar Ismail to the boys side is fantastic - he's one of the best coaches in the region. This team is improved from what was already a really strong group.

Omar is a complete joke - both as a player and coach.

I am pretty sure parents don’t care about the player part. But you see this snark among coaches and ex-player parents quite a bit.

Anonymous wrote:We got our offer (Boys / Academy ECNL) last night. Existing player.

What age group?

We got our offer (Boys / Academy ECNL) last night. Existing player.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How are the goalkeepers on the 08 boys teams? Not just top team, but all around.

Strong, but only 1 per team. Need more.

Do all the teams usually carry more than one, or just the top few teams? Are there likely to be openings for newcomers?

Not sure about the first question. I think that there would be opening for a string goalie.

I’m not so sure about that. Probably not as a dedicated keeper. Like you said, the 08 keepers are strong, and it seems like most of them could be playing up one or two teams from where they are if those other teams didn’t already have their own solid goalkeepers. I think academy, red and white have two keepers, but blue, black and silver each have one at the moment. If you tell a kid who rightfully could be playing on blue that he’s going to be playing on black instead and now will also split game time with another keeper, that kid might find another club where they will still have to share the position but could play at a higher level.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adding Omar Ismail to the boys side is fantastic - he's one of the best coaches in the region. This team is improved from what was already a really strong group.

Omar is a complete joke - both as a player and coach.

Jelly?

Anonymous wrote:Adding Omar Ismail to the boys side is fantastic - he's one of the best coaches in the region. This team is improved from what was already a really strong group.

Omar is a complete joke - both as a player and coach.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How are the goalkeepers on the 08 boys teams? Not just top team, but all around.

Strong, but only 1 per team. Need more.

Do all the teams usually carry more than one, or just the top few teams? Are there likely to be openings for newcomers?

Not sure about the first question. I think that there would be opening for a string goalie.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How are the goalkeepers on the 08 boys teams? Not just top team, but all around.

Strong, but only 1 per team. Need more.

Do all the teams usually carry more than one, or just the top few teams? Are there likely to be openings for newcomers?

Anonymous wrote:Ok- lets get real here. I am glad they got a coach they like.

But, Arlington 2008 is going to be nowhere near the top of the list in the area in that age group.

There is too much of a delta between them and 2008 B teams from VDA, Richmond (among a few others). A coach isn't going to change that in a single year unless he draws in players from these other clubs who are just too many notches above where Arlington is at the moment.

They are not bad--just middle of the pack....

I didn't say they would win. Right now VDA and Richmond are 1st and 2nd in the league. I just suggested that they would move from 2-3 spots below middle to 2-3 spots above. They don't have to beat Richmond or VDA to do that. They may well also benefit from playing fewer games against Richmond and VDA and more against all the teams from the Carolinas.

Anonymous wrote:How are the goalkeepers on the 08 boys teams? Not just top team, but all around.

Strong, but only 1 per team. Need more.

How are the goalkeepers on the 08 boys teams? Not just top team, but all around.

Ok- lets get real here. I am glad they got a coach they like.

But, Arlington 2008 is going to be nowhere near the top of the list in the area in that age group.

There is too much of a delta between them and 2008 B teams from VDA, Richmond (among a few others). A coach isn't going to change that in a single year unless he draws in players from these other clubs who are just too many notches above where Arlington is at the moment.

They are not bad--just middle of the pack....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My prediction - 2008 boys finish top 5 next year.

The coach is great but why do you think it would or could manifest itself in so short a time? Or that results will necessarily tell you how much better the kids will be learning? I think he probably needs some different players to actually play the right way. I would be optimistic as well, but also patient.

Various reasons:

1. Great coaching usually shows up in results before too long. It's not immediate - but it doesn't take a whole year.
2. He may well ideally need one or two more players (I don't know since I have not seen the 2008s play that much), but I'm not suggesting that he wins the league, just that he moves from 11th to 5th.
3. It wouldn't surprise me if one or two good players follow him as well. That often happens when a good coach moves.
4. It's only a prediction - I may well be wrong.

All fair and good points. But I also have seen teams go backwards for some time with an excellent but different coach before taking bigger steps forward. I think you will really see more of it at U15. I wish him and the kids well regardless. It’s a really good move.