Season Update: After the first team renews its Atlantic Cup rivalry with the New York Red Bulls at RFK Stadium on Thursday, the D.C. United Academy teams will continue their season Saturday with matches against the New York youth squads. The U18s will take the pitch at 1 p.m. while the U16s will play at 3 p.m., with both contests held at Maryland SoccerPlex Field 20.
College Commitment: D.C. United U18 goalkeeper Michael Nerud has committed to play at Loyola College for head coach Mark Mettrick. Nerud, who attends Northwest High School and plays his club soccer for Bethesda Ajax, will join a Greyhounds team that went 18-2-1 in 2008. Nerud will look to fill the Loyola goalkeeping void left by United first team rookie Milos Kocic, who was selected in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft.
U17 MLS Cup: The D.C. United U17 team will compete in this year’s MLS U17 Cup from July 3-8 in Denver, CO. The Black-and-Red is looking to reclaim the title after winning the 2007 championship but falling in the 2008 final.
Academy Play-offs: The U18s, currently ranked fifth nationally in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy in overall points, are preparing for the Academy playoffs later this month from June 25-29 in Greensboro, NC. Should they advance, they would travel to the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA for the finals from July 10-17. Though the U16 side did not qualify for the play-offs, they will travel with the U18s to Greensboro as well.
U20 Super 20-League: Competing in the Mid-Atlantic region of the USL Super 20-League, United will open their season Wednesday with an 8 p.m. match against City Islanders Academy. The U20s will also take on Super Nova FC on Saturday at 11 a.m. and PDA Cruyff on Sunday at 2 p.m. All three games will be held at Maryland SoccerPlex Field 20.
U16 and U18 Academy Tryouts: In an effort to identify the best youth players in the Washington D.C. area, the D.C. United Academy will be holding tryouts for the U16 and U18 Academy teams in June. Tryout dates are scheduled for June 8, 12, 15, and 19, July 28-30, and August 11-13. Sessions will be held at RFK Stadium’s Auxiliary Turf Field. Further details are available at www.dcunited.com/academy .
U15 Academy Developmental Training Program: Specifically designed for the area’s most talented ‘93’s-‘97’s, the program will allow coaches to identify, evaluate and prepare players for the upcoming Academy year. There will be training sessions from 4-5:30 p.m. at the RFK Auxiliary Turf field every Wednesday and Friday from June 10-August 8. Additional details are available at www.dcunited.com/academy .
Summer Camps: The D.C. United Academy is offering a 12-camp schedule in different locations in Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. throughout the 2009 summer. A variety of training opportunities will be available, with each tailored to provide a fun and rewarding experience, while also encouraging players to develop their full potential. Along with that, there will be an Elite Residential Soccer Camp that will take place at the Catholic University of America from July 30 - August 2. For full details including camp schedule, please visit www.dcunited.com/academy .
Broadcasting and P.A. Request: When speaking of the organization, please refer to the team as either “D.C. United” or “United,” but not “the D.C. United” or “the United.” We appreciate your cooperation.
Doug Hicks,
dhicks@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5448,
Boris Flores,
bflores@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5452,
Kyle Sheldon,
ksheldon@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5450 or
Cristina Cruz,
ccruz@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5440
