The day started before the sun came up for the U-18s. The day was dreary and overcast, but the U-18s ignored the weather and were prepared for the day's game.
The U-18s played against fellow MLS academy team, the New England Revolution, on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 9 a.m. The Black-and-Red started out strong and dominated possession in the first 30 minutes. The breakthrough for United came in the 36th minute off a Jorge Calix free kick. Calix served a curling ball in for Tim Oberg, who headed the ball into the net. One minute later, Calix scored a goal of his own on a breakaway to give United the 2-0 lead going into halftime. The Revs scored early in the second half, but Ronald Ventura put home another goal, assisted by Julian Cummings. The Revs made the score 3-2 in the dying minutes of the game, but United held on for the victory. The U-18s will have a well-deserved day off and will play their final game of the Showcase on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 11:15 a.m. against Real Salt Lake AZ.
The D.C. United U-16s played their first game of the Winter Showcase against the Indiana Fire on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. The first twenty minutes was very even sided, but Owen Marshall scored in the 21st minute to put United up 1-0. Christophe Koffi and Liam Hoen-Beck each added a goal before the half to give United a 3-0 lead. Marshall scored his second goal of the day early in the second half, while Antonio Bustamante tallied two more goals late in the half to give D.C. the 6-0 win. Both goalkeepers, Tyler Beaudoin and Zachary McMurrer, split halves and gave United the shutout victory. The U-16s will play again on Friday, Dec. 13 against the Crew Soccer Academy.
Two D.C. United U-16 players also participated in other select Developmental Academy games during the day. Jose Carranza played with the U-15 Boys National Team against Weston FC, and Trey Vinson played a full 80 minutes in the Academy Select Squad game. The U-16 team watched and cheered on their teammates in both games.
The night ended with a round of Chipotle, running from the family of raccoons that live in the underbrush around the hotel, FIFA tournaments and doing a regen session in the pool. The U-18s look forward to watching the U-16s tomorrow and enjoying the warm weather that we are having in Florida.
