Academy Update

D.C. United’s U-16 and U-18 teams wrapped up USSDA regular season play this past weekend, with the U-16’s winning the Eastern Conference Mid-Atlantic Division title and securing a spot in the playoffs, while the U-18’s finished their season in fourth place.

The U-16’s kicked off the weekend with a resounding 5-1 victory over Match Fit Chelsea, delivering a solid collective performance. However, it was Jorge Calix (St. Stephens Episcopal HS/Ft. Washington, Md.) who stole the show by scoring four goals, while Nigel Robinson (PWSI/Woodbridge, Va.) contributed with a tally, assisted by Chike Nweazeapu (DC Stoddert/Washington, D.C.).

The U-16’s secured their spot in the playoffs on Sunday, defeating NJSA 04 by 3-0. Nigel Robinson played a major role by scoring a brace in the second half, assisted on separate occasions by Ian Harkes (Gonzaga College HS/ Fairfax, Va.) and Christian Kershaw (Severna Park, Md.). Jorge Calix tallied United’s first goal in the opening half.

D.C. United’s U-16’s claimed the Eastern Conference Mid-Atlantic Division title with 22 points and a 6-2-4 record, scoring 20 goals. The team will compete in Group 6 of the USSDA playoffs against the LA Galaxy, Concorde Fire (Atlanta, Ga.) and Colorado Rush (Littleton, Colo.). The winner of the group will advance to the National Championship held at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston on July 23.

“The players deserve all the credit for bringing the right mentality to the weekend,” said United U-16 Head Coach Tom Torres. “What the staff were mostly proud of was that they understood that the results would come as a byproduct of doing things the right way. There were plenty of matches this season where the ball did not bounce our way, but the boys were able to stay focused up to the last match and they deserved to finish where they did, showing a quality style of play.”

United’s U-18 side had a tough start to the weekend, falling 3-1 to Match Fit Chelsea. Jalen Robinson (Mount Saint Joseph HS/Catonsville, Md.) assisted by Charles Chapin (Gaithersburg, Md.), scored United’s lone tally.

The Black-and-Red faced NJSA 04 on Sunday in hopes of advancing to the postseason. Jalen Robinson and Collin Martin (Bethesda Chevy Chase HS/Chevy Chase, Md.) scored for United, but NJSA were able to equalize in the dying moments of the match. Despite their worthy effort, the U-18’s were unable to qualify to the USSDA playoffs.

United’s U-18’s finished the regular season in fourth place of the Eastern Conference Mid-Atlantic Division with 15 points and a 4-5-3 record, scoring 18 goals. The team will represent the club in the 2012 Summer Showcase.