While D.C. United played guest to Toronto FC on Saturday, players Michael Seaton, Alex Caskey, Steve Birnbaum, Joe Willis and Cristiano Francois stayed behind to leave it all on the field the Richmond Kickers, which shut out the visiting Cavaliers of the University of Virginia, 3-0.
While all five loanees started the match, the most notable performances for D.C. United fans was that of Seaton and Birnbaum; two of yesterday’s goals came off the feet of these young prospects. Joe Willis also recorded a shutout on the night.
D.C. has loaned the four players to the USL Pro team this season as part of the two clubs’ landmark affiliation agreement, which they entered into in January 2013, as part of Major League Soccer and USL PRO’s partnership. Having both benefited from the arrangement, the clubs earlier this month agreed to a multi-year extension of their partnership.
The Kickers hosted the Cavaliers for the fifth annual Pro-Am Challenge, the team’s last preseason match before their opener on Saturday, Mar. 29 against familiar rivals, the Charleston Battery.
Seaton’s score came off an assist from teammate George Davis IV in the 53rd minute, opening the day’s tally. Seaton was served the ball in the penalty area and blasted it into the net for a strong finish. Shortly after, the Cavaliers had to answer to United’s Birnbaum when the 2014 MLS SuperDraft pick netted a goal off a corner kick in the 68th minute. The action continued to go in the Kickers’ favor when Tish Hanley found the net a third time in the 92nd minute of play.
