Days away from the start of the 2011-2012 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season, we turn our attention to D.C. United’s strong tradition of player development. In the past two years, United’s Academy has produced several first team contributors, including 2010 MLS Rookie of the Year Andy Najar, U.S. National Team back-up goalkeeper Bill Hamid, recent U.S. U-23 call-up Ethan White and U.S. U-20 midfielder Conor Shanosky.
Looking at recent Black-and-Red Academy graduates, we begin with those players competing in the upcoming 2011 NCAA Division I College Cup. For the first round of the tournament, West Virginia is set to face Xavier on Thursday, November 17. The winner of that contest will face Maryland in the second round, setting the table for a potential match-up between several D.C. United Academy products.
UWEM ETUK
Midfielder
West Virginia Univ.
Junior
5'9" - 155 lbs.
Herndon, VA
Uwem Etuk: A graduate of D.C. United’s U-18 team, Etuk has been in the U.S. National Team player pool since 2005, beginning with the U-14 and U-15 squads. Before joining West Virginia University in 2009, the Herndon native was a member of the USL Super Y League ODP team, a program created to identify players of the highest caliber on a consistent basis, leading to international competition with the U.S. National Team. Etuk has become a key component of West Virginia’s midfield, contributing six goals and eleven assists in 56 matches during his three seasons with the Big East side.
TRAVIS PITTMAN
Midfielder
West Virginia Univ.
Junior
5'11" - 170 lbs.
Manassas, VA
Travis Pittman: A member of United’s U-18 and U-23 teams, Pittman was a three-year varsity starter at Osbourn High School. He received many honors during his high school career, such as being named to ESPN Rise Magazine’s All-American squad (First Team), the Virginia AAA All-State First Team, the All-Northwest Region Team and the All-Cedar Run District team. Currently a member of the U.S. National Team pool, Pittman has played for the U.S. U-14, U-16, and U-18 teams. The Manassas native is a junior at West Virginia, where he has played 57 matches, recording two goals and 11 assists since the 2009 season.
MATT ODUARAN
Forward
Univ. of Maryland
Senior
6'0" - 180 lbs.
Bear, DE
Matt Oduaran: Prior to becoming a Terp, Oduaran was named to the NSCAA Regional All-American Team and he was First Team All-State (Delaware) as a junior and senior at the Caravel Academy. As a member of D.C. United’s Youth Academy, Oduaran played a major role in the U-17’s historic 1-0 win against Sevilla FC, assisting Chris Hegngi to help United become the first American team to win a match in the history of the Trofeo Quixote U-17 Club Youth World Cup. In 2008, D.C. United honored Oduaran with the U-18 Player of the Year Award. The 21-year-old forward is currently in his senior season at Maryland, where he helped the team claim the NCAA National Championship in 2008, as well as reaching the NCAA Elite Eight in 2009 and 2010.
MIKIAS ETICHA
Midfielder
Univ. of Maryland
Freshman
5'8" - 145 lbs.
Falls Church, VA
Mikias Eticha: Eticha featured prominently for United’s U-18 squad, helping the team reach the 2010-2011 U.S. Soccer Development Academy National Playoffs after claiming first place in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The young midfielder saw action in the MLS Reserve League as well, starting two of the three matches he played during the 2011 season. Eticha recently joined The University of Maryland, where he has played 12 matches (one start), tallying one goal in his freshman campaign.
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