It’s barely 10 miles between RFK Stadium and Ludwig Field in College Park, Md.
In recent years, it has felt like even less between D.C. United and the University of Maryland, two soccer programs whose ties have been strengthened again this winter.
Last week, D.C. United Academy player Eryk Williamson – while in Bradenton, Fla., participating as a guest player in D.C. United’s initial 2015 preseason camp – announced his intent to play for Maryland and head coach Sasho Cirovski.
It was just the latest big news for a player who led the U-18 Academy team in scoring last fall and is currently with the Under-18 U.S. Men’s National Team at the Copa Chivas Internacional tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Williamson’s fellow D.C. United Academy teammates, Jorge Calix and D.J. Reeves, are also committed to Maryland and could make for a formidable trio among incoming freshmen. They’re all part of a standout Black-and-Red signing day class that will be revealed on Feb. 4.
“We are always proud when our players commit to top college programs all over the country, and there is particular excitement when players decide to stay local,” said D.C. United Academy U-18 Head Coach and Head Scout Tom Torres. “It gives us a chance to closely observe their progression and keep them engaged with D.C. United programming. Since the inception of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, we have been fortunate to develop a strong relationship with Maryland soccer. With the historical success of their program, both competitively and with developing players for MLS, it's a great accomplishment for any academy player to continue on their path by committing to Maryland.”
Williamson, Calix and Reeves follow in the footsteps of players like Michael Sauers, Dakota Niedermeier, Suliaman Dainkeh, Mikias Eticha, Ethan White, Paul Torres and Matt Oduaran, all of whom who have made their way to College Park.
Players have come the other direction, too, going from College Park to RFK. White was D.C. United’s first Homegrown signing from Maryland. Rodney Wallace was drafted by D.C. United in 2009, and Taylor Kemp was selected in 2013. Dan Metzger was picked in the second round of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft and is currently in preseason camp with the First Team trying to earn a spot on the final roster. Multiple other Maryland alumni have also worn the Black-and-Red; the roots go as deep as General Manager Dave Kasper, a former forward himself in College Park.
It reinforces the short distance and grand influence that both D.C. United and Maryland have in the North American soccer landscape.
