Academy News

Academy update - U-18

U-18 Academy

This past Saturday, D.C. United’s U-18 Academy team opened their United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) season with a win over New Jersey Soccer Academy 04 at Long Bridge Park in Arlington, Virginia.

U-18 Recap:
D.C. United’s U-18 team also began the USSDA season this past weekend with a win over NJSA 04 at Long Bridge Park. Despite going down 2-0 in the first half, United dominated play throughout the match and posted five unanswered goals in the 2nd half to open up their season with a resounding 5-2 victory.

Denis Najar (Alexandria, Va.), younger brother of Academy alumni and 1st team regular Andy Najar, gave United a boost early in the second half when he scored the team’s first goal of the season in the 52nd minute.  The goals kept coming, as United finished four more chances in the next 30 minutes with goals from Kennedy O’Shea (Fairfax Va./Paul VI HS), Patrick Foss (South Riding, Va.), a second from Najar, and the final goal of the match coming from Jorge Calix (Ft. Washington, Md./St. Stephens Episcopal HS).

“Denis Najar was excellent throughout the match,” said Nolan Sheldon, head coach of D.C. United’s U-18 Academy team.  “His work rate and competitive drive were unmatched.  The team followed his lead in the second half and found success as a result.”

Both United Academy teams look to remain unbeaten in USSDA play when they face respective Virginia Rush teams on Saturday at Hampton Roads Soccer Complex in Virginia Beach, Va.  

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