On the heels of D.C. United’s third youth soccer affiliate announcement, the Black-and-Red Academy has welcomed a member of its most recent regional partner, Beach FC, to practice with the U-18s during spring break. Peter Pearson, an ODP player while with the Virginia Beach, Va., club, has participated in all aspects of the Black-and-Red training regimen: time on the field, weights, conditioning, etc.
"Training with the [D.C. United] Academy has been beneficial in many ways,” said Pearson. “The level of play is high, the environment is professional and the overall atmosphere helps the players get to the next level.”
"Peter Pearson, is a player that has been with Beach FC for his entire youth soccer career and has represented VYSA and Region 1 ODP,” added Beach FC's Boys Travel Director of Coaching Mark Waite. “We knew Peter would represent Beach FC well and pave the way for future players to have the same opportunities.”
While heavy snowfall in D.C. today has interfered with the First Team and Academy’s training plans, Pearson may be back tomorrow and Friday, depending on the weather. Despite the short amount of time in which he has participated United practices, Pearson has thoroughly impressed the Academy coaching staff.
"We have been aware of Peter as a quality player for several years,” said Head Youth Scout and U-16 Head Coach Tom Torres. “The new affiliate relationship we have with Beach FC and other area clubs allows us to work with players in a supplemental way, monitor and give us a glimpse of how they respond on the field and with our current Academy players. Ultimately, we would like the top players to accumulate as many homegrown training units as possible by playing for the Academy teams, but this is a way to initially evaluate within the environment.”
