MLS D.C. United

D.C. United Academy Update

Published on February 19, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


Washington D.C. (February 19, 2013) - While the U-16s and U-18s played in a few tune-up matches this week, the U-13, U-14 and U-15 D.C. United Pre-Academy teams participated in the 2013 Potomac President's Day Pre-Academy Showcase over the weekend.

The U-16s split into two sides to take on 16, 17, and 18-year-old squads from affiliate programs Annandale Boys and Girls Club and Freestate Soccer Alliance . The U-16 Academy teams played a total of four games and logged important minutes in the weeks leading up to the spring portion of the USSDA season, which commences on Saturday, March 2. Meanwhile, the U-18s took on Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup hopefuls Aegean Hawks FC and tied the club 2-2, with goals coming from Chike Nwaezeapu Washington, D.C.; D.C. Stoddert) and Robert Palmer (Bethesda, Md.; Potomac Soccer Alliance). After the draw, Hawks FC tweeted, "Thanks to #DCU U18s for a great @usopencup tune up match last night. The old men were lucky to draw 2-2. #WakeupTime." The U-18s next face the Olney Rangers today in Gunston, Va., at 6:45 p.m. EST.

Meanwhile, the U-13, U-14, and U-15 Pre-Academy teams traveled to the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md., to partake in the 2013 Potomac President's Day Pre-Academy Showcase. The U-15 and U-14 squads were split into two teams each, having a total of five D.C. United Pre-Academy teams feature in the Showcase. All squads played three games in as many days in front of U.S. Soccer scouts.

The U-15s (Red) squad posted a 2-1-0 record on the weekend, scoring 12 goals and only giving up three, all of which came in its first match, a loss, against Albertson. The U-15s (Black) team registered a 1-1-1 mark this weekend, scoring twice and conceding four in its three matches.

"Overall it was a very good weekend for us, displaying our brand and playing dominating possession soccer throughout," U-15 D.C. United Pre-Academy Head Coach Kris Ward. "Liam Hoen Beck (Vienna, Va.; Vienna Youth Soccer) led the way in scoring with three goals while Antonio Bustamante (Springfield, Va.; McLean Soccer Club), Cheick Traore (Bowie, Md.; Team America) and Ibou Seye (Fairfax, Va.; Vienna Youth Soccer) all had two goals a piece."

The U-14s (Black) squad would also go 1-1-1, scoring four times - two coming by way of D.C. United's Connor Gill (Reston, Va.; Reston Soccer Association) - and allowing three others. The U-14s (Red) team went 2-1-0, scoring seven goals and giving up only four - all of which came in its first match against Albertson, seeing the U-14s Red squad go down 4-1 in the match. The U-13s finished the weekend with a 1-2-0 record, conceding 13 goals and scoring four in its three matches of the Showcase. All four goals for the U-13 team came on the second day match against South Central Premier, with goals from United's Jacob Griggs (Ellicott City, Md.; Maryland Cerritos Academy) and Spencer Wright (Crofton, Md.; Freestate Soccer Alliance).

"[The] players got a ton of playing minutes and displayed a lot of quality, despite being split up," said U-13 and U-14 Pre-Academy Head Coach Jonny Frias about his teams.

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