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MLS D.C. United

D.C. United Academy Update

September 14, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


Washington, D.C. (September 14, 2012) - This past Saturday, D.C. United's U-16 and U-18 Academy teams opened their respective United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) seasons with wins over New Jersey Soccer Academy 04 at Long Bridge Park in Arlington, Virginia.

U-16 Recap :

D.C. United opened the season with a 3-1 victory over NJSA 04 on Saturday afternoon. United took a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute on a Graydon Hester (Middleburg, Va.) penalty kick after Austin Pelto (Fairfax, Va.) was brought down in the penalty box. Bruno Zambrana (Chantilly, Va./Chantilly HS) doubled United's lead in the 27th minute when he found the back of the net during a scramble in front of the goal. However, United's 2-0 lead did not last long as NJSA scored in the 35th minute to cut the lead in half.

D.C. United went into the half with a 2-1 lead and started the second half with dominant possession but dropped off as the second half continued. In the 80th minute, Zambrana helped seal the result for United by converting his second goal of the day off of a cross from teammate Amrit Tamang (Viewtown, Va.).

"Overall, it was a decent opening to the USSDA Season," said Tom Torres, head coach of D.C. United's U-16 Academy team. "There were some moments in which we could see the potential of the group's quality. Unfortunately, we were not complete in all of the phases of the game. The thoughts were there, but the execution lacked a bit. The great news is that in a 10-month season, we will have plenty of time to train to prepare for this weekend's match."

U-18 Recap :

D.C. United's U-18 team also began the USSDA season this past weekend with a win over NJSA 04 at Long Bridge Park. Despite going down 2-0 in the first half, United dominated play throughout the match and posted five unanswered goals in the 2nd half to open up their season with a resounding 5-2 victory.

Denis Najar (Alexandria, Va.), younger brother of Academy alumni and 1st team regular Andy Najar, gave United a boost early in the second half when he scored the team's first goal of the season in the 52nd minute. The goals kept coming, as United finished four more chances in the next 30 minutes with goals from Kennedy O'Shea (Fairfax Va./Paul VI HS), Patrick Foss (South Riding, Va.), a second from Najar, and the final goal of the match coming from Jorge Calix (Ft. Washington, Md./St. Stephens Episcopal HS).

"Denis Najar was excellent throughout the match," said Nolan Sheldon, head coach of D.C. United's U-18 Academy team. "His work rate and competitive drive were unmatched. The team followed his lead in the second half and found success as a result."

Both United Academy teams look to remain unbeaten in USSDA play when they face respective Virginia Rush teams on Saturday at Hampton Roads Soccer Complex in Virginia Beach, Va.

Check out the D.C. United Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from September 14, 2012


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