D.C. United and Northern Virginia Soccer Club (NVSC) – in conjunction with adidas – today announced an affiliate agreement, the fourth of its kind for D.C. United and a youth soccer club. Under the agreement, NVSC will be one of D.C. United’s primary sources in identifying and developing the top youth talent. United will share its coaching resources and will work with NVSC to follow its training curriculum and system of play. Top players in the NVSC system, identified by both D.C. United and NVSC, will have the opportunity to join the D.C. United Academy teams, with a strong priority being placed on the Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18 age groups.
“We are thrilled that NVSC will join us as our fourth affiliate club,” said Sonny Silooy, D.C. United’s Director of Youth Development. “We have been working with several players that came from NVSC, and we are happy with their progression. The D.C. United Academy looks forward to assisting with their plan for club and player development, in addition to strengthening our relationship with NVSC through this mutually beneficial partnership.”
“We are very excited to join D.C. United as an affiliate club,” said NVSC’s Technical Director of Coaching Bill Lanza. “We are grateful for the opportunity to share in the great success D.C. United has had in developing professional and collegiate level players since the onset of the Development Academy. Their expertise in training curriculum and coaching education will enhance our club philosophy of a singular training program and style of play. Players in Prince William County and surrounding areas will now have direct access to professional soccer training and development with DC United. Participation in D.C. United’s Homegrown program is an important benefit to our players, allowing them to train locally while under the guidance of a nationally-acclaimed soccer program.”
In addition to the player identification and development component of the affiliate agreement, NVSC will be outfitted with D.C. United and adidas-branded training gear, uniforms and coaching gear, and will receive special D.C. United ticketing opportunities for players and their families.
“The United States has some of the best athletic talent in the world, and it's our goal to provide homegrown athletes with opportunities to play elite soccer,” said Ernesto Bruce, Director of Soccer for adidas America. “With our recent extension of the Major League Soccer contract, we have put the importance of youth development at a premium, and are excited about helping create Youth Club Alliances with local MLS clubs. This partnership between NVSC, D.C. United and adidas will prove to be a great step in developing the next generation of American soccer icons.”
"'This agreement continues our development of strategically integrated business initiatives,” said Doug Hicks, D.C. United’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We look forward to engaging with additional local and regional clubs in the weeks ahead.”
About NVSC
NVSC –a four-time State Cup championship club – is a non-profit, volunteer soccer league located in Prince William County, Va. The association has an instructional in-house program and a travel (select) program. NVSC is host to over 42 travel teams, with over 3,000 total recreational and travel players per season. In 2008, Mid-County Soccer Association and Manassas Area Soccer Association merged to create NVSC, creating one of the largest soccer clubs in Virginia, and providing opportunities for players across Prince William County and Northern Virginia.
D.C. United-NVSC Player Connections
- Idrissa Barrie (D.C. United Pre-Academy)
- Jose Carranza (D.C. United Pre-Academy; U.S. U-14 Boy’s National Team pool)
- Shane Cooke (University of Virginia)
- Eddie Hernandez (D.C. United Pre-Academy)
- Andrew Nicholas (D.C. United Pre-Academy)
- Sahrfelix Sandy (D.C. United Pre-Academy)
