D.C. United’s U-18 Academy team picked up their first loss of the USSDA season against Pennsylvania Classics on Saturday by a score of 4-2.
PA Classics scored twice in the opening five minutes to put United in a hole early. The Classics added a third goal just before halftime to take a 3-0 lead at the break. Despite an attempt to battle back in the second half, United could only pull back two late goals in an eventual 4-2 defeat. United’s goals came from Chike Nwaezeapu (Washington D.C./Maret School) in the 80th minute and Denis Najar, brother of first team defender and academy system product Andy Najar (Alexandria, Va.) in the 85th minute.
"It is a disappointing result,” said Nolan Sheldon, head coach of D.C. United’s U-18 Academy team. “We looked naïve in the opening minutes of the match against a team that we know quite well and respect. PA Classics are a very well-organized team, with some very dangerous players. To their credit, they started the match with the right intensity, we didn't."
The U-18 squad returns to action this weekend with a USSDA match against McLean Youth Soccer Academy on Saturday morning at Long Bridge Park and a friendly match against Philadelphia Union Academy team on Sunday.
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