The D.C. United Academy U-23 team will face Lionsbridge FC during their inaugural season at POMOCO Stadium in Newport News, Va., on June 9, 2018. Pre-game festivities will begin at 5 p.m., with the match starting at 7 p.m.
The Black-and-Red's match against Lionsbridge will also be part of Langley Air Force Base Night. The 633rd Force Support Squadron Honor Guard from Langley AFB will present the colors, a serviceperson will perform the national anthem and service members will be recognized during the game.
The D.C. United U-23 side will be one of Lionsbridge's first marquee matchups of the season. Notable Academy products include Bill Hamid, goalkeeper for the U.S. National Team and Danish Superliga side FC Midtjylland, and Andy Najar, Honduran national team player currently with Belgian First Division A club R.S.C. Anderlecht. Graduates of the D.C. United Academy have signed professional contracts in the U.S., Israel, Belgium and Sweden, and play for multiple other national teams, including Jamaica and Ethiopia.
Lionsbridge FC will open its inaugural campaign with two road games before returning to POMOCO Stadium on the campus of Christopher Newport University on May 16 for its first-ever home game, a matchup against Evergreen FC. The team is a member of the United Soccer League’s PDL, the top pre-professional league in North America. The PDL consists of more than 70 teams across the U.S. and Canada, functioning as Major League Soccer’s primary developmental and player showcase platform. Thirty-six PDL alumni were selected in last month’s MLS Draft.
