D.C.United’s Youth Academy kicked off the 2011-2012 U.S. Soccer Development Academyseason with victories from the U-16 and U-18 teams, as both sides facedSeacoast United and Empire United this past weekend.
OnSaturday, November 16, United’s U-16’s began their campaign with a 2-0 victoryagainst Seacoast United. Tobias Kastan gave United a 1-0 lead in the 30thminute with an assist from Chrystian Najar. The final score was decided byMichael Seaton, who stole the ball from a defender and beat the Seacoastgoalkeeper to make it 2-0.
“Onthe positive side, we had a very good game defensively by keeping the ball, andoffensively by creating many chances,” said United U-16 Head Coach Roberto DaSilva. “On the other hand, we could have done better with the scoring chanceswe created.”
TheU-16’s continued their weekend action with an impressive attacking display,beating Empire United 6-1 on Sunday, November 20. Robert Palmer scored United’sfirst goal in the 10th minute. Mike Seaton followed him with abrace, scoring in the 12th and 15th minutes with assistsfrom Robert Palmer and Andres Dell’Agostino. Christian Rodriguez scored with afree kick in the 30th minute, giving United a 4-0 halftime lead.Rodriguez assisted Tobias Kastan in the 60th minute for United’sfifth goal, and Christian Kershaw rounded-up the scoring in the 75th minutewith an assist by Mike Seaton.
“Iwas very pleased with the team performance,” said Da Silva. “Not onlyindividual players played well, but the team defended well as a unit and wewere able to convert many chances into goals.”
United’sU-18 side defeated Seacoast United with a 3-0 result on Saturday, November 19.Collin Martin scored United’s first goal with a 23-yard free kick. KevinJimenez extended the lead after an assist from Patrick Foss, who also assistedCharles Chapin in United’s third goal. Both Foss and Chapin played in United’sfinal Reserve League match against Columbus Crew on November 15.
OnSunday, November 20, the U-18’s fell 2-1 to Empire United. United’s only goalwas tallied by Sebastian Cahe in the 60th minute.
“Overall,it was a positive opening weekend for the U-18 Academy team,” said United U-18Head Coach Nolan Sheldon. “Being the first two league matches of the year, wewere pleased with the level of the team and were impressed by a number ofindividual players at key positions.”
