MLS D.C. United

D.C. United Academy Update

October 1, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


Washington, D.C. (October 1, 2013) - In the fourth weekend of the 2013-14 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season (USSDA), D.C. United's Academy Teams went undefeated as the U-18 and U-16 teams took on New Jersey Soccer Academy 04, and the U-14 squad faced the Richmond Strikers.

The U-14 Academy Team (3-0-1) put together another dominating performance en route to its 4-1 win against the U-14 Richmond Strikers. The Black-and-Red got on the board in the 10th minute when Connor Gill (Reston, Va., Reston Soccer Academy) scored his first goal of the season on a through ball from SahrFelix Sandy (Woodbridge, Va., Northern Virginia Soccer Club). Sandy then scored a brace, his first two goals of the season, with his first coming in the 15th minute off a Gill assist and his second in the 55th minute off a cross from Andres Villanueva (Woodbridge, Va., Prince William Soccer Inc.). Luis Rodriguez-Luna (Woodbridge, Va., Prince William Soccer Inc.) rounded out the day for United on an unassisted goal in the 60th minute to put the Black-and-Red up, 4-0, before the Strikers pulled one back in the 64th minute.

"With several key players away at the U14 National Team Camp it was a great opportunity to get some players their first starts of the young season and others some substantial minutes which they haven't had yet," said D.C. United U-14 Head Coach Jonathan Frias. "Although the play was choppy at times, it was good to see some new faces contribute on the scoreboard and highlight the depth the squad has. Our focus this week in training will be to try and continue to improve our speed of play and decision-making on the ball, which was inconsistent against the Strikers."

The U-16 Academy Team (0-1-3) came from behind twice in a thrilling 3-3 tie against the U-16 New Jersey Soccer Academy 04. Patrick Jean-Gilles (Lorton, Va., Arlington Soccer Association) played a through ball to DJ Reeves (Ashton, Md., Soccer Association of Columbia) who then dribbled past the keeper to score the first goal for the Black-and-Red. Brennan Ireland (Pittsburgh, Pa., Pittsburgh Riverhounds) then scored a header off a cross from Hristo Bustamante (Alexandria, Va., Braddock Road Youth Club) to knot the game up at 2-2. In stoppage time, United were trailing 3-2 until Trey Vinson (Manassas, Va., Prince William Soccer Inc.) chipped a ball into the box and Miles Robinson (Woodbridge, Va., Prince William Soccer Inc.) finished it as the game ended in a 3-3 tie.

"It was an exciting 90 minutes with both teams showing a lot of quality," said D.C. United U-16 Head Coach Tom Torres. "The boys showed character in coming back from a deficit twice, but we need to evaluate the defensive breakdowns which are leading to goals against. They are playing attractive soccer in every attacking phase, but have some work to do on the other end."

The U-18 Academy team (2-1-1) picked up its second consecutive victory this weekend with a 3-1 win over the U-18 New Jersey Soccer Academy 04. Although they played a man down for 60 minutes, Bashir Hooper (Gainesville, Va., McLean Youth Soccer Association) picked up the brace to help lead United to victory. On his first goal Josh Golob (Potomac, Md., Potomac Soccer Association) played a low cross into the box that Hooper slotted home, and his second came off a long throw from Christian Kershaw (Severna Park, Md., Baltimore Bays) as Hooper headed it over the keeper. In the final minutes of the game Jorge Calix (Alexandria, Va., Team America) added an insurance goal off a strike from the top of the box.

"The boys showed a great mentality in dealing with the challenge of playing down," said Torres." Hooper continued his solid display in the final third, but overall, the group's effort to continue to attack and defend purposefully was impressive."

Next weekend all three Academy teams will play Continental FC Delco on Sunday, Oct. 6, at the United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, Pa.

NATIONAL TEAM UPDATE:

U-14 National Team

U.S. Soccer has released its Under-14 Boys National Team 48-man roster, which will hold its training camp at the U.S. Soccer National Training Complex in Carson, Calif., Sept. 28-Oct. 6. Of the six Major League Soccer clubs with U-14 Academy players invited, D.C. United leads all Academy systems with three players: Chandler Vaughn (Woodbridge, Va.), Christopher Durkin (Glen Allen, Va.) and Alexis Cerritos (Beltsville, Md.).

Durkin, in his third year with the club, previously played for the Richmond Kickers and has spent one year training and two years on the team. Cerritos, formerly with Cerritos Academy - Calverton, is also in his third year with the club, but spent two years training before joining the team this season. Vaughn is now in his second year with the club, one year training before joining the team, was previously with PWSI before moving to the Black-and-Red.

The U-14's will play two intra-squad scrimmages during the camp on Wednesday, Oct. 3, and Saturday, Oct. 5. Attendees will also observe an MLS match between Chivas USA and the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday, Sept. 26, as well as an LA Galaxy training session before the first intra-squad scrimmage.

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