First Team Training: D.C. United Academy players continue to get the chance to train with the first team this week. This time it’s U18 player Pepito Ebah and U20 player Mome Ciss who will join United’s first team for training sessions today and Friday.
National Team Duty: Numerous D.C. United Academy players are being called to National Team camps. Kennedy O’Shea of the U16 Academy Team and Christian Rodriguez of the U15 Training Program have been called to U14 National Team duty. Both players will report to the PDA facility in Somerset, N.J., the week of June 21-28.
Four members of the U15 Training Program - Collin Martin, Codi Niedermeier, Jalen Robinson and Michael Russo - were recently called to U15 National Team duty. The foursome participated at the camp on June 14-21 in Somerset, N.J.
U17 MLS Cup: The D.C. United U17 team will compete in this year’s MLS U17 Cup from July 3-8 in Denver, CO. The Black-and-Red is looking to reclaim the title after winning the 2007 championship, but falling in the 2008 final.
Academy playoffs: The U18s are preparing for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy playoffs this week from June 25-29 in Greensboro, NC. Every team will play three games in Greensboro in round-robin group play, with the group winner advancing to the next round. The Black-and-Red, seeded sixth overall, will play LAFC Chelsea, FC Westchester and Sockers FC in the group stage. Should they advance, they would travel to the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA for the finals from July 10-17. Though the U16 side did not qualify for the play-offs, they will travel with the U18s to Greensboro, as well.
U16 and U18 Academy Tryouts: In an effort to identify the best youth players in the Washington D.C. area, the D.C. United Academy will be holding tryouts for the U16 and U18 Academy teams throughout the summer. Tryout dates are scheduled for July 28-30 and August 11-13. Sessions will be held at RFK Stadium’s Auxiliary Turf Field. Further details are available at www.dcunited.com/academy .
U15 Academy Developmental Training Program: Specifically designed for the area’s most talented ‘93’s-‘97’s, the program will allow coaches to identify, evaluate and prepare players for the upcoming Academy year. There will be training sessions from 4-5:30 p.m. at the RFK Auxiliary Turf field every Wednesday and Friday until August 8. Additional details are available at www.dcunited.com/academy .
Elite Camp:
D.C. United is hosting an intensive four-day residential camp that is geared toward competitive players committed to playing soccer at the highest level. The 2009 Elite Residential Academy uses a curriculum consisting of the same coaching methods as the professional and Academy teams at D.C. United. The residential camp is being held July 30-August 2 at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Campers will stay in the residence dorms on CUA’s campus. There is a camp fee of $575, including a $100 non-refundable deposit. Registration can be completed at www.dcunited.com/academy
or by calling 202-587-5000. Further questions about the camp can be directed to academy@dcunited.com
or by calling 202-587-5468.
Broadcasting and P.A. Request: When speaking of the organization, please refer to the team as either “D.C. United” or “United,” but not “the D.C. United” or “the United.” We appreciate your cooperation.
Doug Hicks,
dhicks@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5448,
Boris Flores,
bflores@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5452,
Kyle Sheldon,
ksheldon@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5450 or
Cristina Cruz,
ccruz@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5440
