MLS D.C. United

D.C. United Academy Readies for 2010-2011 Campaign

Published on November 1, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


Washington, D.C. (November 1, 2010) - D.C. United's Academy teams kickoff the U.S. Soccer Development Academy season with both the U-18 and U-16 teams in action. On Saturday, November 13, both sides are set to play against Player Development Academy and, on Sunday, November 14, the Black-and-Red take on a familiar foe in the New York Red Bulls. All four matches will take place at Prince George's Community College in Upper Marlboro, Md.

In early December, the Academy players head down to Phoenix, Ariz. to kickoff the 2010 Winter Showcase, one of the most prestigious domestic youth development competitions. On December 3, the U-18 and U-16 teams will face the Colorado Rush, followed by December 4 matches against Indiana United. The Black-and-Red will round out the tournament on December 6 against FC Milwaukee.

In mid-December, D.C. United's Academy faces some of the biggest names in world football at the 2010 Future Championships in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. A Black-and-Red U-17 side will compete against youth teams from FC Barcelona, Everton, Boca Juniors, Paris Saint-Germain, Club America, Cruzeiro, and others. This unique tournament will take place from December 12 through December 19.

Several members of the Black-and-Red youth ranks have received positive news in recent weeks. Academy standouts Jalen Robinson and Marcus Salandy-Defour have been called into Thomas Rongen's United States U-18 National Team, while others have committed their futures to the college ranks, with Julian Griggs and Myles McGinley leading the way. Both players will head to Princeton, as Dario Redondo has committed to Radford. Lastly, goalkeeper Brandon Bolen has decided to play for UNC Wilmington.

With the 2010 Academy season rapidly approaching, both United's U-16's and U-18's have retained plenty of talent from the side that won the 2010 SUM Cup in Houston. After a stunning display in that SUM Cup final against Real Salt Lake, goalkeeper Cody Niedermeier is back for the U-16's. Niedermier is joined by forward Yaw Amankwa and midfielders Kennedy O'Shea and Collin Martin. On the U-18 side, midfielder Cody Albrecht leads the way for the Black-and-Red. Robinson and Salandy-Defour will anchor midfielder and defense, while striker Julian Griggs looks to carry over his lethal form from the last campaign.

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