Anonymous wrote:The answer is that some FCV parents want to bash Spirit because they are worried about MU getting better and how that might impact their DD. They know that a few players can make the difference.

By bashing and trolling MU on DCUM it might scare some parents and players away from MU that could make a difference. Same reason they justify their large rosters and defend playing time for players that warm the bench at FCV. They don't want to lose them to MU.

This kind of comment is why people bash MU. No one at FCV is worried about MU getting better. In fact, the opposite is probably true because it makes the GDA stronger. FCV probably wants a better MU not a worse one.

The answer is that some FCV parents want to bash Spirit because they are worried about MU getting better and how that might impact their DD. They know that a few players can make the difference.

By bashing and trolling MU on DCUM it might scare some parents and players away from MU that could make a difference. Same reason they justify their large rosters and defend playing time for players that warm the bench at FCV. They don't want to lose them to MU.

Anonymous wrote:Since the MU parents don't want to tell us about their scores vs Richmond ECNL, we'll have to wait until next week to see their DA showcase scores.

You can see the teams they are playing vs the teams FCV is playing. FCV is playing top teams. They are playing some of the best teams in the west - teams with winning records and NT players. Spirit is playing the bottom level teams. Other teams who have lost most of their games just like Spirit.

Why does anyone care about scores in a friendly? It's not a real game. The substitution rules are different. Often the personnel/positioning is different. The purpose of a friendly is to try s**t out.

Re. FCV. I don't think anyone has disputed that they are currently very good. They are the best DA in the DMV. They are a top program in some age groups. But so what? Spirit is getting better. A big part of the problem was the bloated rosters. Are they playing at FCV level right now, no? will they next year? Probably again no. But in ALL SPORTS there is a group of teams that is at the bottom of a given league (pro, college, world level, etc.) every year. That doesn't mean standings don't change as personnel does. And anyone on this forum who does't acknowledge that literally a single player can change the course of a team is wearing blinders, and doesn't watch a lot of sports -- not just soccer. Why do you think people care so much about what happens early in the NFL draft? So, good job to FCV. But why does that have to mean we all want to bash Spirit?

Since the MU parents don't want to tell us about their scores vs Richmond ECNL, we'll have to wait until next week to see their DA showcase scores.

You can see the teams they are playing vs the teams FCV is playing. FCV is playing top teams. They are playing some of the best teams in the west - teams with winning records and NT players. Spirit is playing the bottom level teams. Other teams who have lost most of their games just like Spirit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a non mean question so please refrain from usual hostility. I am curious as to why Reston got the Spirit DA franchise? Isn’t it supposed to be so hard to get a DA? Is this a year to year thing? I think there may be more interested parents if this is something that has sustainability. Right now it seems a lot of questions. Just to be honest.

Initially the arrangement was for fields.

I think it’s fair to say that the DA was awarded to George and Spencer when Spirit cut ties, perhaps on a trial basis?, not to GFR. And the arrangement with GFR (and the other not-yet-named partner clubs) is mostly a subcontracting arrangement for field space and possible talent pipeline. If George and Spencer quit, the DA designation wouldn’t go to GFR.

It's still an incredible leap for them to have it. I can only presume that it is contingent on a good amount of support and infrastructure provided by Spirit. No way you start from a dead stop and run a good DA club inside of a couple of months.
Regardless, they will be most watched club in the area come September and it will be interesting to see if they are cut any slack from GDA.

What they need is the right group of players (which they largely have), field space which GFR is still willing to provide, and other coaches as part of the team, which they have. I think they are in better shape than outsiders realize.

How many teams are they fielding?

I’m not a potential mu parent or troll. I’m curious to know this too. I heard there will not be a u13 or u19 team.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a non mean question so please refrain from usual hostility. I am curious as to why Reston got the Spirit DA franchise? Isn’t it supposed to be so hard to get a DA? Is this a year to year thing? I think there may be more interested parents if this is something that has sustainability. Right now it seems a lot of questions. Just to be honest.

Initially the arrangement was for fields.

I think it’s fair to say that the DA was awarded to George and Spencer when Spirit cut ties, perhaps on a trial basis?, not to GFR. And the arrangement with GFR (and the other not-yet-named partner clubs) is mostly a subcontracting arrangement for field space and possible talent pipeline. If George and Spencer quit, the DA designation wouldn’t go to GFR.

A going away present from Diane Drake

Where is she going?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a non mean question so please refrain from usual hostility. I am curious as to why Reston got the Spirit DA franchise? Isn’t it supposed to be so hard to get a DA? Is this a year to year thing? I think there may be more interested parents if this is something that has sustainability. Right now it seems a lot of questions. Just to be honest.

Initially the arrangement was for fields.

I think it’s fair to say that the DA was awarded to George and Spencer when Spirit cut ties, perhaps on a trial basis?, not to GFR. And the arrangement with GFR (and the other not-yet-named partner clubs) is mostly a subcontracting arrangement for field space and possible talent pipeline. If George and Spencer quit, the DA designation wouldn’t go to GFR.

It's still an incredible leap for them to have it. I can only presume that it is contingent on a good amount of support and infrastructure provided by Spirit. No way you start from a dead stop and run a good DA club inside of a couple of months.
Regardless, they will be most watched club in the area come September and it will be interesting to see if they are cut any slack from GDA.

What they need is the right group of players (which they largely have), field space which GFR is still willing to provide, and other coaches as part of the team, which they have. I think they are in better shape than outsiders realize.

How many teams are they fielding?

They made good progress this past year. They have a core and will be better by subtraction for some of the team and adding 3-4 key players at each age group. That could be enough to make them competitive to stay within 1-3 points each game and maybe grab some wins and ties. Keeping rosters at 18 is a big step in the right direction.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a non mean question so please refrain from usual hostility. I am curious as to why Reston got the Spirit DA franchise? Isn’t it supposed to be so hard to get a DA? Is this a year to year thing? I think there may be more interested parents if this is something that has sustainability. Right now it seems a lot of questions. Just to be honest.

Initially the arrangement was for fields.

I think it’s fair to say that the DA was awarded to George and Spencer when Spirit cut ties, perhaps on a trial basis?, not to GFR. And the arrangement with GFR (and the other not-yet-named partner clubs) is mostly a subcontracting arrangement for field space and possible talent pipeline. If George and Spencer quit, the DA designation wouldn’t go to GFR.

A going away present from Diane Drake

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a non mean question so please refrain from usual hostility. I am curious as to why Reston got the Spirit DA franchise? Isn’t it supposed to be so hard to get a DA? Is this a year to year thing? I think there may be more interested parents if this is something that has sustainability. Right now it seems a lot of questions. Just to be honest.

Initially the arrangement was for fields.

I think it’s fair to say that the DA was awarded to George and Spencer when Spirit cut ties, perhaps on a trial basis?, not to GFR. And the arrangement with GFR (and the other not-yet-named partner clubs) is mostly a subcontracting arrangement for field space and possible talent pipeline. If George and Spencer quit, the DA designation wouldn’t go to GFR.

It's still an incredible leap for them to have it. I can only presume that it is contingent on a good amount of support and infrastructure provided by Spirit. No way you start from a dead stop and run a good DA club inside of a couple of months.
Regardless, they will be most watched club in the area come September and it will be interesting to see if they are cut any slack from GDA.

What they need is the right group of players (which they largely have), field space which GFR is still willing to provide, and other coaches as part of the team, which they have. I think they are in better shape than outsiders realize.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a non mean question so please refrain from usual hostility. I am curious as to why Reston got the Spirit DA franchise? Isn’t it supposed to be so hard to get a DA? Is this a year to year thing? I think there may be more interested parents if this is something that has sustainability. Right now it seems a lot of questions. Just to be honest.

Initially the arrangement was for fields.

I think it’s fair to say that the DA was awarded to George and Spencer when Spirit cut ties, perhaps on a trial basis?, not to GFR. And the arrangement with GFR (and the other not-yet-named partner clubs) is mostly a subcontracting arrangement for field space and possible talent pipeline. If George and Spencer quit, the DA designation wouldn’t go to GFR.

It's still an incredible leap for them to have it. I can only presume that it is contingent on a good amount of support and infrastructure provided by Spirit. No way you start from a dead stop and run a good DA club inside of a couple of months.
Regardless, they will be most watched club in the area come September and it will be interesting to see if they are cut any slack from GDA.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a non mean question so please refrain from usual hostility. I am curious as to why Reston got the Spirit DA franchise? Isn’t it supposed to be so hard to get a DA? Is this a year to year thing? I think there may be more interested parents if this is something that has sustainability. Right now it seems a lot of questions. Just to be honest.

Initially the arrangement was for fields.

I think it’s fair to say that the DA was awarded to George and Spencer when Spirit cut ties, perhaps on a trial basis?, not to GFR. And the arrangement with GFR (and the other not-yet-named partner clubs) is mostly a subcontracting arrangement for field space and possible talent pipeline. If George and Spencer quit, the DA designation wouldn’t go to GFR.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ask Drake.

By the way, is she still regional USSF rep?

She is a scout. No affiliation with the DA.

Why?

Anonymous wrote:Ask Drake.

By the way, is she still regional USSF rep?

She is a scout. No affiliation with the DA.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a non mean question so please refrain from usual hostility. I am curious as to why Reston got the Spirit DA franchise? Isn’t it supposed to be so hard to get a DA? Is this a year to year thing? I think there may be more interested parents if this is something that has sustainability. Right now it seems a lot of questions. Just to be honest.

I think one thing that has come out of Spirit DA and will extend into MU is a core group of players in most of the age groups that can play and want to play at the DA level. So it will likely sustain and thrive. I thought when we joined, being part of an NWSL would make the program great. Instead, it was an anchor. They actually charged us to watch the pro team practice.

I know we will have to prove it next year, but from the inside, I can tell we are going to be doing what needed to be done all along. It's going to be a good year for the families that choose MU.

Who is we? Is this a kid from the program?