Part of the secret sauce that everyone is looking for is that the actual La Masia and the actually "off-La Masia" programs across the street (like the off-broadway shows) is purely the fact that the kids in those programs live and breathe soccer every single day of their lives.

This is like growing up in inner city Los Angeles and dreaming of one day playing for the Lakers or in the NBA. You go out and there is a street ball culture with literally thousands of people out competing out on the courts every day, and parents training their kids at home as soon as they can walk so maybe they have a chance at something.

You can take the best of Coach K's basketball academy curriculum or whatever and take it overseas to another country and open a basketball school - but you can't replace the living and breathing of a sport and waking up in the morning idolizing the stars and aspiring to be a celebrity with potentially a million dollar contract waiting for you if you make it. The MINIMUM rookie salary is like 800K.

https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/info/minimum_scale

this is real money. and celebrity status, basically. kids are chasing this wanting to reach that goal.

The same absolutely applies in Spain for soccer. Barcelona players are idolized and make millions of dollars and are celebrities.


So, you keep the training methods but have to water them down to the less skilled average american player and you also remove the chasing of the carrot for the financial reward and quasi-celebrity status, and you don't have much left other than a training business that is simply here to make money.

I think that could make for an interesting story. Would be informative to hear from different clubs, their different training and development philosophies (assuming clubs would cooperate), and also your own observations by watching their training sessions and teams in actual games. Do clubs practice what they preach?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:The self-contradictory part is this:

1. Why are people concerned about clubs other than theirs?

2. I've seen many club training environments.

Those two statements contradict each other.

I'll bear in mind the suggestion that I go around to various clubs and check out their training environments in the spring.

And we'll all bear in mind how "sincere" your curiosity about this particular club (as you stated several posts ago) really is.

I've been defending the Barca parents here and this post is nonsense. RSD can go and not like Barca and that is fine, at least he went. Nobody needs to agree with the decisions you have made for your player. The only thing that is at issue is people making a judgement without observing first hand. Whatever RSD's opinion is, or anyone's after that is as valid as yours. Some forum or RSD should not be how you validate your decision.

I agree that the previous poster was snarky. RSD has NOT been to Barca training/games, but I think he stated that he is "considering" going to see their training in the spring. If he does go, his opinion will be based on his own observations/first hand knowledge.

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:The self-contradictory part is this:

1. Why are people concerned about clubs other than theirs?

2. I've seen many club training environments.

Those two statements contradict each other.

I'll bear in mind the suggestion that I go around to various clubs and check out their training environments in the spring.

And we'll all bear in mind how "sincere" your curiosity about this particular club (as you stated several posts ago) really is.

I've been defending the Barca parents here and this post is nonsense. RSD can go and not like Barca and that is fine, at least he went. Nobody needs to agree with the decisions you have made for your player. The only thing that is at issue is people making a judgement without observing first hand. Whatever RSD's opinion is, or anyone's after that is as valid as yours. Some forum or RSD should not be how you validate your decision.

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:The self-contradictory part is this:

1. Why are people concerned about clubs other than theirs?

2. I've seen many club training environments.

Those two statements contradict each other.

I'll bear in mind the suggestion that I go around to various clubs and check out their training environments in the spring.

And we'll all bear in mind how "sincere" your curiosity about this particular club (as you stated several posts ago) really is.

RSD may have said some critical things about Barca without the first hand knowledge, but at least RSD is not posting negative things anonymously. RSD, I hope you'll find time and make it to the spring training at some point to satisfy your curiosity.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:The self-contradictory part is this:

1. Why are people concerned about clubs other than theirs?

2. I've seen many club training environments.

Those two statements contradict each other.

I'll bear in mind the suggestion that I go around to various clubs and check out their training environments in the spring.

And we'll all bear in mind how "sincere" your curiosity about this particular club (as you stated several posts ago) really is.

This is pretty much the attitude that has people so agitated in this thread. This sounds like InfoWars.

Not sure how many times I can say my general impression of Barca is positive despite this thread.

This is RSD - thought I was signed in on my phone but I guess not.

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:The self-contradictory part is this:

1. Why are people concerned about clubs other than theirs?

2. I've seen many club training environments.

Those two statements contradict each other.

I'll bear in mind the suggestion that I go around to various clubs and check out their training environments in the spring.

And we'll all bear in mind how "sincere" your curiosity about this particular club (as you stated several posts ago) really is.

This is pretty much the attitude that has people so agitated in this thread. This sounds like InfoWars.

Not sure how many times I can say my general impression of Barca is positive despite this thread.

RantingSoccerDad wrote:The self-contradictory part is this:

1. Why are people concerned about clubs other than theirs?

2. I've seen many club training environments.

Those two statements contradict each other.

I'll bear in mind the suggestion that I go around to various clubs and check out their training environments in the spring.

And we'll all bear in mind how "sincere" your curiosity about this particular club (as you stated several posts ago) really is.

RantingSoccerDad wrote:The self-contradictory part is this:

1. Why are people concerned about clubs other than theirs?

2. I've seen many club training environments.

Those two statements contradict each other.

I'll bear in mind the suggestion that I go around to various clubs and check out their training environments in the spring.

Because I've had kids AT different clubs. It is a comparison of experience as a friggin paying customer. That is not contradictory, that is comparative.

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Florida teams, even their lower ranking ones, are quite good. I saw at CASL with my oldest a Florida classic team beat a pretty solid elite team from VA. I think people are really nitpicking the Barca team for some reason I can't fathom.

Yes. I'm not sure why. They can't be seen as a threat. Many aren't competing at the same levels of most other top Clubs. I am guessing it is from some other nearby Club--or somebody that left that had a problem or beef (which is usually the answer to most of these obsessions). It's too far for most Clubs in the area to travel to so there isn't a threat for player exodus. It's pretty far out there geographically for the DC region. Staff is friendly and just doing their own thing. But= you see the same thing with the Spirit threads and the infamous FCV thread. Parents getting all twisted about Clubs their kids don't play for.

Yeah, I don't really get either of the extremes here. Some people are so defensive about the club when anyone asks a simple question. Others are tearing it down. I understand it a *little* bit more when we're talking about Vienna or McLean or some other club that represents a community. Not so much here. What next -- an epic shoutfest over Cougars or Cugini or PAC?

As far as I can tell, Barca has no ridiculously overbearing coaches, and it seems to have a sensible approach to training. I'm not seeing red flags other than a couple of hyperdefensive people in this thread, but every club has those. (It's just a question of whether or not they're on DCUM.)

They only have 400 kids total in the program vs the THOUSANDS of players in big Clubs like Loudoun and Arlington. Not sure what the attacks are about.

Who gives a shit? Right? My two kids are really happy and that's all that matters. They both love the training and mention how their old programs at former Clubs were 50% just scrimmaging. The practices here are methodically planned out and differ each day of the week and from week to week. My players respond to this well. They also are always moving--no time to screw off. My players complaint about their former Clubs were 'boring', lots of standing around and kids that were goofing off and Coaches did nothing about it or couldn't control it. We haven't had that issue--2 years at Barca. This may differ by gender or by kids in other age groups so I only speak to my own.

I figure anyone that wants to continually bash one of the smallest Clubs in the area that they've never been a part of or actually seen train has inferiority and/or mental issues. Let them spend their days spinning their wheels about children's sports.

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Florida teams, even their lower ranking ones, are quite good. I saw at CASL with my oldest a Florida classic team beat a pretty solid elite team from VA. I think people are really nitpicking the Barca team for some reason I can't fathom.

Yes. I'm not sure why. They can't be seen as a threat. Many aren't competing at the same levels of most other top Clubs. I am guessing it is from some other nearby Club--or somebody that left that had a problem or beef (which is usually the answer to most of these obsessions). It's too far for most Clubs in the area to travel to so there isn't a threat for player exodus. It's pretty far out there geographically for the DC region. Staff is friendly and just doing their own thing. But= you see the same thing with the Spirit threads and the infamous FCV thread. Parents getting all twisted about Clubs their kids don't play for.

Yeah, I don't really get either of the extremes here. Some people are so defensive about the club when anyone asks a simple question. Others are tearing it down. I understand it a *little* bit more when we're talking about Vienna or McLean or some other club that represents a community. Not so much here. What next -- an epic shoutfest over Cougars or Cugini or PAC?

As far as I can tell, Barca has no ridiculously overbearing coaches, and it seems to have a sensible approach to training. I'm not seeing red flags other than a couple of hyperdefensive people in this thread, but every club has those. (It's just a question of whether or not they're on DCUM.)

They only have 400 kids total in the program vs the THOUSANDS of players in big Clubs like Loudoun and Arlington. Not sure what the attacks are about.

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't say that parents have been "hyper defensive". The program is 16 months old and people have come onto this thread and bashed the program based on nothing more than some GotSoccer results.

We'll agree to disagree on that. Some of the defensiveness isn't a reaction to bashing based on GotSoccer results. It's a reaction to basic questions about what really makes the program different from other programs in the area. Most programs *claim* to favor development over winning, most *claim* to stress possession, etc. So people were naturally curious about what made Barca different. We got some good answers and some "shut up, you ignorant suburbanite -- these people are from Catalonia and you should just be grateful they're here."

And it's a basic law of Internet interaction that the extreme reactions get the most attention. We can all do better on that front, but it's bound to happen, especially on a board with no user names. (Again -- hint hint, mods.)

I have seen a variety of club training environments of all levels and Barca is different in their approach and execution.

The other point of contention is this, and this is not just for Barca but for all clubs, if you have no vested interest in a club then why do you care what they are or are not doing?

This is self-contradictory. You've seen a variety of club training environments, which means you've gone out and seen clubs in which you have no vested interest other than curiosity, perhaps because you're shopping around (which is fine). What makes you think you're different than the other parents on here? (OK, there are SOME parents on this board -- not just this thread but elsewhere -- who feel a knee-jerk need to bash other programs so they can feel better about the $2,000 or $5,000 they're spending on their self-appointed "elite" program, but a lot of the questions are driven by the same curiosity that drives you to drive around to see other clubs train.)

My interest in this board comes from a different place -- as far as I know, I'm the only person here writing about youth soccer, and so if there's something truly unique going on, I'd like to know about it. But I'm not the only person here who has a sincere curiosity about it, and I'm not the only one who asked questions not out of a "bashing" purpose but with the proper skepticism we should apply to all claims.

RSD, I agree with the PP. If you think there may be something unique about Barca, want to know about it, and have "proper skepticism", you should get off your computer, drive to Evergreen one night and see the training with your own eyes. Practices are every Mon, Wed., and Friday night. Consider it proper beat reporting or investigative journalism.

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't say that parents have been "hyper defensive". The program is 16 months old and people have come onto this thread and bashed the program based on nothing more than some GotSoccer results.

We'll agree to disagree on that. Some of the defensiveness isn't a reaction to bashing based on GotSoccer results. It's a reaction to basic questions about what really makes the program different from other programs in the area. Most programs *claim* to favor development over winning, most *claim* to stress possession, etc. So people were naturally curious about what made Barca different. We got some good answers and some "shut up, you ignorant suburbanite -- these people are from Catalonia and you should just be grateful they're here."

And it's a basic law of Internet interaction that the extreme reactions get the most attention. We can all do better on that front, but it's bound to happen, especially on a board with no user names. (Again -- hint hint, mods.)

I have seen a variety of club training environments of all levels and Barca is different in their approach and execution.

The other point of contention is this, and this is not just for Barca but for all clubs, if you have no vested interest in a club then why do you care what they are or are not doing?

This is self-contradictory. You've seen a variety of club training environments, which means you've gone out and seen clubs in which you have no vested interest other than curiosity, perhaps because you're shopping around (which is fine). What makes you think you're different than the other parents on here? (OK, there are SOME parents on this board -- not just this thread but elsewhere -- who feel a knee-jerk need to bash other programs so they can feel better about the $2,000 or $5,000 they're spending on their self-appointed "elite" program, but a lot of the questions are driven by the same curiosity that drives you to drive around to see other clubs train.)

My interest in this board comes from a different place -- as far as I know, I'm the only person here writing about youth soccer, and so if there's something truly unique going on, I'd like to know about it. But I'm not the only person here who has a sincere curiosity about it, and I'm not the only one who asked questions not out of a "bashing" purpose but with the proper skepticism we should apply to all claims.

People on this board have said that the training environment is unique. You question this here but yet you have not gone out to Evergreen yourself and actually looked into it.

I have seen different training environments. I am not being self contradictory, I am speaking from experience to say that by and large how Barca runs their training is different than clubs I have been affiliated with. I am not bashing any club while stating this. Different does not equate to more effective or better, but Barca does run things differently and frankly, if you are worth your salt as reporter you would hold judgement until you look into it personally yourself. And the reality is, of the critics on this board you are also the only one likely to actually go out and look around for yourself out of a true sense of curiosity. So to you directly, don't engage directly with the hyperbole on this board, just go and see for yourself. Yes, there are people here who think because it is "Catalonia" style that their kid is meant for stardom. The reality is they lack the overall depth of talent to truly turn heads competition wise. But, they are not cutting corners in teaching the style based on the talent level that they have either. I think that is the actual biggest difference.

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Florida teams, even their lower ranking ones, are quite good. I saw at CASL with my oldest a Florida classic team beat a pretty solid elite team from VA. I think people are really nitpicking the Barca team for some reason I can't fathom.

Yes. I'm not sure why. They can't be seen as a threat. Many aren't competing at the same levels of most other top Clubs. I am guessing it is from some other nearby Club--or somebody that left that had a problem or beef (which is usually the answer to most of these obsessions). It's too far for most Clubs in the area to travel to so there isn't a threat for player exodus. It's pretty far out there geographically for the DC region. Staff is friendly and just doing their own thing. But= you see the same thing with the Spirit threads and the infamous FCV thread. Parents getting all twisted about Clubs their kids don't play for.

Yeah, I don't really get either of the extremes here. Some people are so defensive about the club when anyone asks a simple question. Others are tearing it down. I understand it a *little* bit more when we're talking about Vienna or McLean or some other club that represents a community. Not so much here. What next -- an epic shoutfest over Cougars or Cugini or PAC?

As far as I can tell, Barca has no ridiculously overbearing coaches, and it seems to have a sensible approach to training. I'm not seeing red flags other than a couple of hyperdefensive people in this thread, but every club has those. (It's just a question of whether or not they're on DCUM.)

I wouldn't say that parents have been "hyper defensive". The program is 16 months old and people have come onto this thread and bashed the program based on nothing more than some GotSoccer results.

I think what parents took offense to was the immediate slamming of results when all they have said as customers is they are happy regardless of the results. It then exploded from there, and frankly, you yourself fed into the attacks based on results due to the cost of the program. All parents have said all along is either come and see for yourself or just give a more wait and see approach over time. 16 months is not A Lot Of Time in the grans scheme of things.

But many of the attacks were based on nothing more than tourney results. The downsides of the program have been laid out there by parents in the program as well among them are; Talent variance, lack of initial league play, competitive results (people can accept not winning for development but that doesn't mean they enjoy losing. This point gets forgotten), the fluidity of rosters, the lack of or confusing hierarchical structure etc. These are all downsides that people in the program and on this board have stated. But what they have defended aggressively is the quality of training, regardless of talent level or results. And for critics to attack the training they should actually observe and see for themselves that the training is run differently than local clubs. I have seen a variety of club training environments of all levels and Barca is different in their approach and execution.

The other point of contention is this, and this is not just for Barca but for all clubs, if you have no vested interest in a club then why do you care what they are or are not doing? There is zero reason to tear down a club that you are in no way affiliated with. the only people who would do this in any sensible world are people who are threatened. The only people who would be threatened by what any other club does are coaches and TD's. It makes zero sense for any parent to concern themselves with the actions of another club that they are not a part of.

We are going on 57 pages and over 800 posts over a club that most people believe sucks. Why? Worry about your kid and your club and stop worrying about where other people spend their time and money and whether or not they should feel it was worth it. Not a single critic of Barca or any other club on these forums ever dare mention the club where their kid plays.

Anonymous wrote:Florida teams, even their lower ranking ones, are quite good. I saw at CASL with my oldest a Florida classic team beat a pretty solid elite team from VA. I think people are really nitpicking the Barca team for some reason I can't fathom.

Yes. I'm not sure why. They can't be seen as a threat. Many aren't competing at the same levels of most other top Clubs. I am guessing it is from some other nearby Club--or somebody that left that had a problem or beef (which is usually the answer to most of these obsessions). It's too far for most Clubs in the area to travel to so there isn't a threat for player exodus. It's pretty far out there geographically for the DC region. Staff is friendly and just doing their own thing. But= you see the same thing with the Spirit threads and the infamous FCV thread. Parents getting all twisted about Clubs their kids don't play for.