D.C. United Academy results: D.C. United's Under 16 and Under 18 Development Academy teams won and lost one game a piece at Maryland Soccerplex on April 26-27, versus Matchfit and PDA.
D.C. United's U-16 squad won 4-2 with Peabo Doue, Marcus Douglas, Paul Torres and Michael Burgos seeing the back of the net. Sunday, the U-16s came out with a 0-4 loss to PDA.
Saturday, the U-18s failed to outplay Matchfit for a 3-5 loss. Matt Oduaran contributed two goals, and Ryan Gracia netted the third score of the day for the 18s. The 18s triumphed against PDA with a 5-1 win on Sunday. Matt Oduaran netted two more goals for the squad, and Prince Lapnet and Shane Cook also added to D.C.'s win.
"Overall the weekend proved to be very productive for our program, with the U16s registering a pleasing win on Saturday and a disappointing loss against runaway U-16 division leaders PDA on Sunday, and the U18s suffering similar fate with a loss on Saturday and a very convincing win on Sunday," said U-16 Head Coach Ritchie Burke.
"Despite the weekend results split for both teams, it is pleasing to hear the positive comments from both National Team staff who observed the matches and from opposing coaches about the quality of our teams' play," he said. "Even with several key players away at National Team training camps, our level of play this weekend was very satisfying and we are moving this group along nicely in terms of overall development."
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D.C. United's youth Academy teams will travel to Soccerplex Field to face off against FC Westchester and Met Oval on May 3-4.
D.C. United Academy summer program: D.C. United's Academy summer camp will be limited to approximately 80 boys from ages 14-18 (invitation only), who will receive intensive instruction from the area's top coaches. D.C. United has designed a curriculum that emphasizes the same coaching methods of United professional and Academy teams. They have designed specialized training sessions that focus on technical development, small-sided games that encourage creativity and match awareness, full-sided matches that give players an opportunity to apply what they have learned in real game situations and classroom discussions on game-related topics. In addition to top-class professional instruction, participants will receive a free ticket to any 2008 regular season home game, a D.C. United replica jersey and an Adidas soccer ball.
U-15 Academy Developmental Training Program and tryouts: Dates for the U-15 Academy Developmental Training Program and tryouts are set for April 25, May 2 and May 9 at the RFK Auxillary Turf field from 4-5:30 p.m. This program is specifically designed for the areas most talented players born in '92, '93 and '94. These players will be identified, evaluated and considered for D.C. United's upcoming U-16 Academy team. They will train 2 times per week (Wednesday and Friday nights), with intra-squad matches on Saturdays starting June 11th - August 9th, 2008. Players in the program will be integrated with our current U-16 Academy players. The coaching staff will include former MLS All-Star and D.C. United standout Josh Gros and former D.C. United player Micah Cooks. All players must fill out the youth team's waiver and registration form before they can try out.
U-20 SYL team: D.C. United's SYL Youth Teams currently compete in United Soccer League's Super Y-League, one of the most competitive leagues in the country. For the 2008 season D.C. United will have one team at the U-20 level. This team will be made up with the areas top players born on or after January 1, 1988. They are looking for the most serious players who want to play for and represent the most successful club in American History! There will be 2 trainings per week starting mid May and a full eight game schedule that will run from June 7 - July 20, with the North American Finals being held July 31 - August 3, 2008. The U20 coaching staff will be run by two local coaches, German Peri, Head Coach of Nationally ranked MPS FC U18 Boys and Dafydd Evans, Head Coach of NSCAA Nationally ranked DeMatha Catholic High School.
John Maessner, Director of Youth Development and Marco Etcheverry, Academy Technical Advisor, will oversee both the U20 Super-20 League teams and the U15 Academy Developmental Training program along with Academy staff coaches Richie Burke and Judah Cooks.
The following are the cutoff dates for each age group: U-20 Player - (players born on/after 1/1/88)
U-15 Academy Developmental Training Program - '92's, '93's and '94's
Tryout schedule:
April 25th, May 2nd and May 9th, RFK Auxillary Turf field
U15 Academy Developmental Training Program - 4:00-5:30 p.m.
U20 Super-20 League - 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Additional Tryout Information:
In the event of bad weather, call (202) 587-5498 on Saturday/Sunday morning to check if tryouts are cancelled. Please plan on arriving at least 30 minutes prior to the start time.
Everyone should bring:
• Soccer ball
• Water bottle
• Shinguards
• Footwear appropriate for a turf surface
• A copy of the completed D.C. United Registration Form and Youth Teams Waiver.
