The D.C. United Academy today announced that 14 of its U-18 players have committed to play soccer at 10 different universities for the 2013 fall season. Six of the 14 players signed with programs finishing the 2012 season ranked in the top 25, including the University of Maryland, Coastal Carolina University and Wake Forest University.
“We’re proud of the college commitments our Academy players have made for the 2013 fall season,” said D.C. United Director of Youth Development Sonny Silooy. “The chance to play at the collegiate level is a great achievement, and we’re confident that each of them will make their mark at their respective universities.”
The following players today announced their official university commitments:
Carlos Canas – Longwood University
Date of birth: March 26, 1995
Hometown: Fairfax, Va.
Position: Goalkeeper
Tenure at D.C. United: Three years
Previous youth clubs: Calverton Revolution
Honors/awards: Second Team All-Region; Honorable Mention All-Metro; Three-Time All-District
Suliaman Dainkeh – University of Maryland
Date of birth: June 1, 1995
Hometown: Reston, Va.
Position: Defender
Tenure at D.C. United: Three years
Previous youth clubs: Reston Knights FC
Honors/awards: 2012 NSCAA Youth Boys All-American; 2012 U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team training camp.
James Doll – Duke University Date of birth: March 2, 1995
Hometown: Bethesda, Md.
Position: Midfielder
Tenure at D.C. United: Three years
Previous youth clubs: Pachuca FC
Honors/awards: U.S. U-14 National Team pool; Region I Maryland ODP.
Lars Eckenrode – University of Michigan
Date of birth: March 24, 1995
Hometown: Springfield, Va.
Position: Defender
Tenure at D.C. United: Three years
Previous youth clubs: Annandale United FC
Honors/awards: Two-time Virginia State champion; Team Player of the Tournament for AEGON Future Cup
Rafael Fagundo – Wake Forest University
Date of birth: February 5, 1995
Hometown: Herndon, Va.
Position: Defender
Tenure at D.C. United: Three years
Previous youth clubs: Herndon Real Juniors
Honors/awards: 2011 Virginia Independent School Athletic Association D1 All-State Soccer First Team; 2011 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Second Team; 2011 ESPN High School Greater D.C. Starting XI.
Patrick Foss – University of Virginia
Date of birth: October 2, 1994
Hometown: South Riding, Va.
Position: Defender
Tenure at D.C. United: Three years
Previous youth clubs: Herndon Real Juniors
Honors/awards: 2012 USSDA U-18 Eastern Conference Starting XI; 2010-11 U.S. U-17 Residency; AEGON Future Cup Golden Boot; Four-year Virginia ODP player.
Benjamin Ferrell – Longwood University
Date of birth: October 9, 1994
Hometown: Fairfax Station, Va.
Position: Defender
Tenure at D.C. United: One year
Previous youth clubs: Annandale Boys and Girls Club
Honors/awards: First Team All-Concorde District; Second Team All-Northern Region
Ian Harkes – Wake Forest University
Date of birth: March 30, 1995
Hometown: Fairfax, Va.
Position: Midfielder
Tenure at D.C. United: One year
Previous youth clubs: Herndon Real Juniors; Great Fall Strikers; Braddock Road Strikers
Honors/awards: 2012 NSCAA High School All-American; 2011 and 2012 All-Metro First Team; 2011 D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year.
Braden Horton – University of Pittsburgh
Date of birth: March 28, 1995
Hometown: Springfield, Va.
Position: Goalkeeper
Tenure at D.C. United: One year
Previous youth clubs: McLean Academy; SYC Fusion; Reston Knights FC; Annandale Boys and Girls Club
Honors/awards: 2011-12 All-Patriot-District First Team, 2011-12 Northern Region Second Team, All-Metro; Maryland ODP; ESPN RISE Class of 2013 Players to Watch.
Christian Kershaw – Loyola University Maryland
Date of birth: January 22, 1995
Hometown: Severna Park, Md.
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Tenure at D.C. United: Three years
Previous youth clubs: Baltimore Bays
Honors/awards: Two-time USYSA Maryland State Champion; 2011 High School State Champion (DeMatha High School).
Kennedy O’Shea – Coastal Carolina University
Date of birth: March 31, 1995
Hometown: South Riding, Va.
Position: Forward
Tenure at D.C. United: Five years
Previous youth clubs: Reston Knights FC; Herndon Real Juniors
Honors/awards: U.S. U-14 National Team pool; Washington Catholic Athletic Conference All-Conference Second Team; Second Team All-State (Virginia); MVP of Paul VI Virginia State Championship.
Michael Sauers – University of Maryland
Date of birth: May 19, 1995
Hometown: Glen Arm, Md.
Position: Midfielder
Tenure at D.C. United: Two years
Previous youth clubs: Baltimore Bays; Bethesda Soccer Club; Crystal Palace Soccer Club
Honors/awards: 2012 NSCAA High School All-American; 2012 All-State, 2012 All-Region; 2012 All-Metro, 2012 All-MIAA honors; 2011 Second Team All-State; 2011 All-Metro; 2011 All-MIAA.
David Warburton – Loyola University Maryland
Date of birth: September 16, 1994
Hometown: Westminster, Md.
Position: Defender
Tenure at D.C. United: Two years
Previous youth clubs: FC Frederick; C.C. United
Honors/awards: 2011 ASL All-Event Team, Maryland ODP
Abdi Yusuf – University of Central Florida
Date of birth: January 29, 1995
Hometown: Herndon, Va.
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Tenure at D.C. United: Three years
Previous youth clubs: Reston Knights FC; Herndon Real Juniors
Honors/awards: U-14 U.S. National Team pool; Region I ODP Virginia State Champion; State Cup (2009, 2010).
