D.C. United Academy begins Future Champions Tournament

Washington, D.C. (December 13, 2010) - D.C. United’s Academy kicked off play in the 2010 Future Champions Tournament in Belo Horizonte, Brazil this morning with a 2-2 draw against Mexican side Club America. The Black-and-Red battled back from a 2-0 deficit to earn a share of the points, with Fuli Dainkeh and Patrick Foss scoring the goals for United. The U-17 tournament will continue throughout the week, concluding on Sunday, December 19.

United is competing in Group D of the tournament, alongside Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil’s Vasco da Gama. Today’s match with Club America was United’s first contest of the tourney, and tomorrow the Black-and-Red begin group play against PSG. On Wednesday, December 15, United will face Vasco da Gama, with the top team from each of the four groups advancing to the semifinal stage of the tournament. The remaining eight teams will compete in consolation matches.

Aside from Group D opponents PSG and Vasco da Gama, United is playing alongside some of the biggest names in world football at the Future Champions Tournament. Group A is comprised of Atletico Mineiro (Brazil), CF Universidad (Chile), and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa). Group B is made up of FC Barcelona (Spain), CA Penarol (Uruguay), and Cruzeiro. Lastly, Group C will be contested between Everton (England), Club America (Mexico), and Corinthians (Brazil).