The third season of MLS NEXT is set to kick off this weekend, and the boys in Black-and-Red are eager to get the 2022-23 campaign underway. After an intense preseason, D.C. United’s U14s, U15s, and U17s will kick off against Springfield SYC and Bethesda SC this weekend:
Day & Time (ET) |
Age Group |
Opponent |
Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Saturday, 10AM |
U17 |
Springfield SYC |
Segra Field |
Saturday, 12PM |
U15 |
Springfield SYC |
Segra Field |
Saturday, 2PM |
U14 |
Springfield SYC |
Segra Field |
Sunday, 10AM |
U17 |
Bethesda SC |
Segra Field |
Sunday, 12PM |
U15 |
Bethesda SC |
Segra Field |
Sunday, 2PM |
U14 |
Bethesda SC |
Segra Field |
The players and staff will look to build on a landmark year for the academy, which saw five players called up to their youth national teams, four players make their professional debuts, and 10 participate in training sessions with either the first team, the second team or both.
Last year, the U16s (who will now compete in the U17 age group) brought home the club’s first MLS NEXT Cup along with two Golden Boots (Sydney Aggrey and Ignacio Alem), a Golden Glove (Luke Peacock), Goal of the Year (Alessandro Maldonado), and an MLS NEXT All-Star selection (Ignacio Alem).
This year, with a newly minted U14 squad, the academy will look to build on the successes of last season. But above all, the emphasis will remain on creating an environment where the next generation of D.C. United players can develop and prepare for the rigors of collegiate and professional soccer.