Washington, D.C. (April 29, 2026) — D.C. United today announced the launch of RDS Summer Select, a new summer development program designed to bring together top youth players from across the DMV for high-level training, team formation, and competitive summer play beginning in 2026.
The RDS Summer Select program will serve boys born in the 2014–2018 age groups, providing a professional, challenging, and development-focused summer environment led by D.C. United’s youth coaching staff. Players selected into the program will train together throughout the summer before representing D.C. United in age-appropriate tournament and festival events.
“RDS Summer Select gives motivated players an opportunity to stay sharp and continue their development during the summer while working within a team environment,” said Dean Atkins, Director of Youth Programs. “We’re excited to bring top players together, help them grow individually, and allow them to apply their training while competing as a group.”
The program includes eight training sessions held on Friday evenings at George Mason University, focused on technical growth, game understanding, and competitive application. Teams will then participate in structured summer events, including Copa Talento and an MLS hosted Festival, providing players with the experience of training together with purpose and competing against other strong programs.
Beyond the field, RDS Summer Select connects families directly to the club through added benefits such as tickets to D.C. United games and discounted access to RDS Summer Camps.
Tryouts for the inaugural season will take place at multiple locations in May 2026, with a second-round evaluation process and invitations sent by May 29. Official team training will begin June 5, 2026.
RDS Summer Select reflects D.C. United’s continued commitment to creating meaningful development opportunities for elite players in the region, blending professional coaching, purposeful team training, and competitive summer experiences within the club’s player pathway.
For full program details and tryout registration, visit the link.
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