The D.C. United Foundation hosted the United Soccer Club Fall tournament this past Saturday, Nov. 15 from 11am – 3pm on the RFK auxiliary field. The 2014 Fall Classic, as it was called, brought together youth and their families from across the District for a fun-filled day of soccer.
Nearly 300 elementary school kids made up the 24 teams that participated in the event. Each team played three games in the tournament, but their time wasn’t only spent on the field. The D.C. United Foundation invited community partners INOVA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to teach the kids lessons in healthy living. INOVA taught kids about concussion awareness, while the USDA showed them the importance of good nutrition. Kids also enjoyed getting their faces painted and competing in D.C. United’s obstacle course.
“They have games during the season, but they really look forward to having the big tournament against all the other sites,” said Park View School Coach Adrian Van Seventer. “It’s really exciting for them.”
Nearly fifty volunteers helped make the tournament possible, but there were a few that made the day extra special. D.C. United midfielder David Estrada was at the event to run soccer drills with kids at the skills station. Estrada played goalie while kids took turns shooting and also worked side by side with kids to improve their dribbling skills.
Black-and-Red defender Sean Franklin also attended the tournament to hand out trophies and congratulate kids on a great day and season of soccer. Special guest Councilmember-elect Charles Allen joined Franklin at the award ceremony. Allen spoke to the crowd of coaches, kids, families, and volunteers before helping hand out trophies to all players.
“Oh I love it,” Allen said shortly after arriving at RFK. “I’ve only been out here for 15 minutes, and I already recognize a lot of people from the neighborhood. I see folks from our schools and our local PTA’s. To me, it just shows what D.C. United is, in our city, already a really great partner and actively engaged with our youth.”
“I’ve been talking to some of these kids and a lot of them started way younger than I was,” Franklin said. “It’s great to see that, at such a young age, that passion for the game. Hopefully there will be some future D.C. United players out there today.”
For some players, the United Soccer Club tournament could lead to something bigger. Tom Torres, D.C. United U-16 Academy Head coach and Head Scout, was present at the tournament searching for young talent; he already has two players in mind who he wants to invite to tryout for D.C. United’s U16 Academy team.
United Soccer Club enrolled close to 700 children in the program this fall, teaching participants the importance of a healthy lifestyle through physical activity and proper nutrition, as well as life skills that are beneficial on and off the field. The program, which focuses on serving youth in underserved communities, operates at 14 sites throughout the DC metropolitan area. All teams meet three times a week after school for 90-minute sessions led by local coaches. The 2014 season also had a series of friendly matches that are a highlight for parents and further the participants’ sense of teamwork, commitment and healthy competition.
