We complete this week’s youth coverage with a look at three more D.C. United Academy products that have been making an impact on the college game.
CHRIS HEGNGI
Forward
Ohio State
Junior
6'2" - 180 lbs.
Silver Spring, MD
Chris Hegngi: Hegngi was a key player for the D.C. United U-17’s during the 2007 season. The Silver Spring native helped United lift the 2007 U-17 SUM Cup (currently known as the Generation adidas Cup), finishing the tournament as leading scorer. In 2008, the young striker scored a goal against Sevilla FC during the Trofeo Quixote U-17 Club Youth World Cup, helping United become the first American team to win a match in the competition’s history. As a freshman at Ohio State University, Hegngi was one of two first year players to start every game, registering three goals and four assists in 21 matches during the 2009 season. The United Academy product is completing the 2011 campaign as the team’s leading scorer with nine goals in 19 games (19 starts).
DARIO REDONDO
Midfielder
Radford
Freshman
5'8" - 160 lbs.
Woodbridge, VA
Dario Redondo: Redondo was recently named to the Big South All-Freshman Team after compiling a solid first season in which he started 12 of the 19 matches he played for Radford, finishing third on the team with two assists. Before becoming a Highlander, Redondo made strides in D.C. United’s Academy, helping the Black-and-Red lift the SUM Cup for the third time in four years in 2010. A member of the U.S. U-17 National Team, Redondo gained valuable experience in Europe when he was invited to play with Chelsea and Lyon’s Academy teams. The United Academy product was a standout player at Garfield High School, where he became a three-time All-District performer and served as team captain during his junior season.
NICKY YIN
Defender
Univ. of Pennsylvania
Sophomore
6'0" - 165 lbs.
Bethesda, MD
Nicky Yin: A recent member of United’s U-23 team, Yin began his relationship with United in 2007 when he joined the club’s U-16 squad. He eventually moved up to the U-18’s, reaching the U.S. Soccer Development Academy League final in 2008. The Bethesda native was also selected for the U.S. U-16 National Team player pool, and was named one of the top eleven players in the Mid-Atlantic region by the USSDA. Currently a sophomore at Penn, Yin has played 32 matches (19 starts), registering two assists and helping the team to a 21-13-2 record since his first season in 2010.
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