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The Arlington Scorpions Football Club, for the past two consecutive seasons, has captured their division championship at the U-13 and U14 levels in travel soccer competition within the National Capital Soccer League (NCSL). They compiled successive 8-1 seasons in the process, dominating their opposition last Fall in total goals scored with 39 for the season, and in the all-important category of goal differential with only seven goals scored against them. At the same time, in tournament play, the Scorpions have either won or reached the finals of the past seven competitions they have entered, defeating many of the very best teams in their age group.
Formed in 1997, the team consists of 16 boys committed to a highly-disciplined work ethic, selfless play, team unity, and overall excellence. The Scorpions are affiliated with the Arlington Travel Soccer Club (ATSC) and are a sanctioned member of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA). The team mascot is “Otis,” a bulldog.
Doug Homer was hired as Director of Coaching and Player Development in March of 1998 and undertook the responsibility of adding new players to a corps of ten returning athletes. Doug holds a USSF "C" National License, a National diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), and a Level One certificate from the Ministry of Sport in the Russian Federation. In his first season, the Scorpions amassed a 3-5-1 record and remained in the fifth division. Over the past two seasons, the Scorpions have dominated their competition by emphasizing precision passing, being quick to the ball, excellent conditioning, and overall team play in lieu of individual performance. Their uncanny play and selfless team concept propelled them to tournament stardom with excellent performances in regional competition.
Since 2000, the Scorpions have become one of the region's most-explosive young football squads. The addition of new players from feeder clubs within Northern Virginia has prompted one of the best examples of youth development in the 11-14 age group. Deron Hurst, a former standout at Bishop O'Connell HS, joined the coaching staff in the fall of 2000, and has helped spark a level of professionalism and passion for success among all. A native of Brazil, Hurst has over 20 years of playing and coaching experience.
Only premier teams in Virginia, Maryland, and abroad stand in the way as the Scorpions gather their belongings and set their sights on the world youth championships to be held in Gothenburg, Sweden this summer.
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