U-18 Academy Team

The U-18 Academy team trains all year and competes in the Mid-Atlantic Conference of the nationwide U.S. Soccer Development Academy program. The team trains and competes at the highest level available for the U-18 age group. The training and coaching provided will help dedicated players reach their full potential.

• Quick Facts
• U-18 Roster
• Coaches & Staff

Developing the Next Generation

U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy program is driven by the game and its players, coaches and referees. This game-centric approach allows for long-term development to occur through a deep understanding of what makes players successful around the world. As the sport of soccer grows in the United States, young players in our country need the proper environment to compete against the world’s elite. The U.S. Soccer Development Academy program provides the optimum developmental environment for the nation’s top youth soccer players, coaches and referees by emphasizing development through quality training and limited, meaningful competition.

The D.C. United advantage: National Team Call-ups
D.C. United leads the nation in National Team Duty Call-ups since the inception of the USSDA in 2007.

Meaningful Training

Academy teams spend a greater amount of time focused on training to improve as individuals and as a team. The teams and players receive direct feedback and evaluations from National Team Staff and ProZone video analysis. To round-out the complete training environment, Academy teams are tested in their physical capabilities using professional testing methodology and their hydration levels by Gatorade. Each athlete then gains a greater understanding of how they compare physically against their peers and what they need to do to achieve their optimal performance levels.

Competitive Environment

The Academy program features teams from the top youth clubs from around the country. Each Academy team plays approximately 30 regular season games to ensure all games are meaningful. Games are also played according to FIFA’s Laws of the Game and officiated by a pool of the nation’s top young referees in order to prepare players for the next level of competition. National Team Scouts regularly attend Academy games, so players are evaluated over the course of the season and in their natural positions allowing for better player assessment.

The D.C. United advantage: College Placement
D.C. United leads the nation with number of players placed in Division I college programs since the inception of the USSDA in 2007.

Early Success

As the program enters its second year, it has already dramatically impacted the player development process in the United States. In 2008, more than 100 players from Academy clubs were included in U.S. Youth National Teams and almost 800 graduates from the inaugural Academy class participated in college soccer the following fall. Virtually all college programs use the Academy program as a scouting vehicle and the program has received increased attention from professional scouts representing domestic and international clubs. Visit ussoccer.com to view the top Academy teams in action.

Quick Facts

• U-18 Team players must be born on or after January 1, 1991. No exceptions.
• The team participates in the US Soccer Development Academy and in international competitions.
• D.C. United Academy leads the nation in National Team Duty Call-ups since the inception of the USSDA in 2007.
• D.C. United Academy leads the nation with number of players placed in Division I college programs since the inception of the USSDA in 2007.
• Players train year-round in a professional environment that helps them reach their full potential.
• U-18s train from 6:30 to 8:30 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
• All training sessions are at RFK Stadium's auxiliary fields
• Players participate in SPARQ Testing and EXACT SPORTS diagnostic testing and player tracking.
• Players receive professional training gear, travel gear, uniform management by staff, adidas soccer shoes and runners, and RFK credential for all home D.C. United professional matches.
• Player physicals are conducted by the same doctors that treat the club's first team.
• Performance eye care available to all players and conducted by the clubs first team doctors.
• Professional staff and coaches
• $1,000 per player. Includes all costs associated with Academy team. Financial assistance available.
• Tryouts are held at designated times each year. Create an account to join our e-mail list to stay informed.