The D.C. United academy teams traveled up the I-95 corridor to play against Baltimore Bays Chelsea this weekend. The U-16s and U-14s were able to hold off the Bays and win, while the U-18s tied the Bays in a very physical battle.
The U-18s (10-3-5) tied Baltimore Bays Chelsea 2-2. The Bays quickly opened up the scoring in the 5th minute, but Jorge Calix (Alexandria, Va.; Team America) answered in the 42nd with a 30-yard, left-footed strike to even the score at 1-1 going into halftime. Umarr Bangura (Spring Grove, Pa.; Baltimore Bays) put the Black-and-Red ahead in the 52nd minute finishing a Ronald Ventura (Kensington, Md.; Potomac Soccer Association) cross. The Bays came back with a goal in the 80th minute to tie the score at 2-2.
“There were positives in the match,” said D.C. United U-18 Head Coach Nolan Sheldon. “However, the overall performance wasn’t nearly good enough. There is a need to refocus and get back on track immediately in training on Monday.”
The U-16s (11-3-4) put in four goals against its beltway rivals on Sunday. Lucas Mendes (Arlington, Va.; Arlington Soccer Association) broke the deadlock in the 40th minute after slicing through the defense and slotting home the first D.C. United goal. Antonio Bustamante (Springfield, Va.; McLean Youth Soccer Association) converted a penalty kick in the 51st minute after Mendes was brought down in the penalty area. Miles Robinson (Woodbridge, Va.; Prince William Soccer Inc.) and DJ Reeves (Ashton, Md.; Soccer Association of Columbia) scored goals within a minute of each other to give the U-16s the 4-0 win.
“We were thrilled with the boys’ intensity and commitment for the entire match,” said D.C. United U-16 Head Coach Tom Torres. “The defensive unit was up to the task against a strong and physical opponent. In the attack, the combination and wing play led to several quality scoring changes. There is plenty of work to be done, but the group’s style and purpose is certainly coming out.”
The U-14s (11-3-1) beat a determined Bays team in game that went down to the final minutes. Derin Kokuuslu (Falls Church, Va.; Annandale Boys and Girls Club) scored a 40-yard strike just before the half to give D.C. United the 1-0 lead. SahrFelix Sandy (Woodbridge, Va.; Northern Virginia Soccer Club) scored in the 47th minute to put the Black-and-Red up 2-0. The Bays answered in the 62nd minute with a goal to make it 2-1, but Kiddus Lemma (Fairfax, Va.; McLean Youth Soccer Association) converted a penalty kick in the 65th to make the score 3-1. The Bays netted their second goal in the 73rd, but the Black-and-Red were able to preserve the 3-2 win with some excellent goalkeeping from Gio Diaz (Kensington, Md.; Cerritos Academy) in the final minutes.
“The boys dominated play by matching the intensity of their rivals, but they always stuck to the style of play we were looking for,” said D.C. United U-14 Head Coach Jonathan Frias. “We had some standout play in the attacking end, and defensively we were able to deal with the counter very well. The focus this week will be to maintain our rhythm in the attacking end.”
All three D.C. United teams will play against Bethesda-Olney on Sunday, March 30 at Richard Montgomery High School. The U-18s will kickoff at noon, the U-16s at 2:30 p.m. and the U-14s at 4:45 p.m.
D.C. United Man of the Match Selections for Week Four:
U-18s Man of the Match: Adam Burnaby-Atkins
“Adam showed the competitive drive that is necessary in a physical match,” said Sheldon. “He was very active in breaking up the opponent’s attacks and provided a good attacking presence on the break.”
U-16s Man of the Match: Lucas Mendes
“Lucas’ ability to consistently get in behind the opponent’s back line was one of the differences in the match,” said Torres. “Defenders focused on Lucas and it freed up space for the other attackers, who did not disappoint.”
U-14s Man of the Match: Alexis Cerritos
“Alexis had a very good game, and although he didn’t get a goal this game, most of our attacking sequences began with him,” said Frias. “He was able to find the right pockets in the midfield to unbalance their defense and was successful with many of his decisions.”
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