Academy Update: May 13, 2014

All three D.C. United Academy teams were in action this past weekend. The U-18s and U-16s traveled to New Jersey to play Players Development Academy, while the U-14s stayed closer to home and played Soccer Association of Columbia.

“The U-18s and U-16s played two exceptional PDA opponents this weekend,” said D.C. United Youth Development Director Sonny Silooy. “Both teams were able to attack and defend against PDA and did an excellent job. The U-14s are an unpredictable group at such a young age. We have a lot of talented players that were unable to connect. Most of the other teams that we play against have a very defensive game plan when they play us. This was a big problem for us, but it is also a good learning experience.”

Game Recaps:

U-18s vs. PDA: 1-1 tie
Goal: Brennan Ireland [57’]
Man of the Match: Christian Kershaw
"Christian has been a top performer for us all year and Saturday was a good example of what he brings to the team,” said D.C. United U-18 Head Coach Nolan Sheldon. “Aside from his leadership qualities, which are key to the team's success, Christian plays with as much passion and competitiveness as any player on the field."

U-16s vs. PDA: 0-0 tie
Shutout: Tyler Beaudoin
Man of the Match: Jonathan Sousa
“The defensive and midfield units had a great performance in keeping one of the Academy’s top teams off the score sheet,” said D.C. United U-16 Head Coach Tom Torres. “Jonathan, who has had a slow return since getting injured at the GA Cup, was back in form and was instrumental in stifling the opponent’s attacks, reading the game and getting involved in the attack.”

U-14s vs. SAC: 1-0 loss
"We were unable to capitalize on our chances against SAC this weekend," said D.C. United U-14 Head Coach Jonathan Frias. "Our opponent scored early and played a very defensive strategy against us for the rest of the game. We need to do better in the attacking third against these kinds of teams."

Upcoming Matches:
All three Academy teams will play away against Virginia Rush on Saturday, May 17 at the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex. The U-18s and U-14s will kickoff at 12:00 p.m. and the U-16s will follow at 2:30 p.m. The U-14s also have a game on Sunday, May 18 against Bethesda-Olney at 11:00 a.m. at Spingarn High School.

Chandler Vaughn called in to U-14 Boys National Team:
D.C. United U-14 player Chandler Vaughn has been called in to the U-14 Boys National Team for an upcoming international training camp in Zagreb, Croatia, May 15-25. Vaughn has been called in to four consecutive U-14 BNT camps.

U.S. Soccer Training Center Invitees:
Seventeen D.C. United Academy and Pre-Academy players were invited into the U.S. Soccer Training Center that was held this week.

2000-2001: Graham Bright (Rockville, Md.; Bethesda-Olney), Iker Bustamante (Alexandria, Va.; Lee Mt. Vernon Soccer Club), Kyle Davis (Bowie, Md.; Maryland United), Jonathan Godette (Bowie, Md.; Patuxent Football Academy) and Joe Lewis (Woodbridge, Va.; Prince William Soccer Inc.)

1999-2000: Luke Campbell (Catlett, Va.; Prince William Soccer Inc.), Alexis Cerritos (Beltsville, Md. Cerritos Academy), Chris Durkin (Glenn Allen, Va.; Richmond Kickers), Derin Kokuuslu (Falls Church, Va.; Annandale Boys and Girls Club), Andrew Nicholas (Nokesville, Va.; Northern Virginia Soccer Club), Luis Rodriguez-Luna (Woodbridge, Va.; Prince William Soccer Inc.), SahrFelix Sandy (Woodbridge, Va.; Northern Virginia Soccer Club), Chandler Vaughn (Woodbridge, Va.; Prince William Soccer Inc.), Jacob Velvel (Silver Springs, Md.; Mclean Youth Soccer Association), Andres Villanueva (Woodbridge, Va.; Northern Virginia Soccer Club) and Steven Zeballos (Fairfax, Va.; Southwestern Youth Association)