While D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid and the U.S. Men’s National Team make their final preparations for the start of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying, a quartet of future prospects from the D.C. United Academy have also been sharpening their skills with U.S. Soccer. Hamid’s selection to the senior side is simply the latest in a string of call-ups this fall for all ages of the Black-and-Red.
D.C. United Academy midfielders Christopher Durkin and Bryce Orsini and defenders Michael Edwards and Chandler Vaughn were recently in Bradenton, Fla., as part of a 60-player training camp with the U.S. Under-15 Boys' National Team.
Last month, midfielder Jose Carranza started for the U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team in a pair of friendly matches against Canada at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Carranza played as an attacking midfielder in both matches as the U.S. won the first clash, 3-1, then fell in the second, 3-2.
Meanwhile, Eryk Williamson recently took time out from his standout freshman season at the University of Maryland to play for the U.S. Under-20s in the Four Nations Tournament in Germany in early October.
In the team’s tournament opener, Williamson’s second-half goal was a lone bright spot for the U.S. in an 8-1 loss to Germany. It was Williamson’s only appearance in the tournament, but he’s been a steady starter for the Terrapins, scoring the first three goals of his career in the last two games: a pair in Maryland’s regular-season finale against Rutgers and another in a Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal win over Michigan. The Terps face Indiana at Ohio State on Friday, Nov. 13 at 3:30 p.m., just a few hours before the U.S. takes on St. Vincent and the Grenadines in St. Louis.
Keep an eye on dcunited.com for more on Williamson’s debut college season and fall season recaps for other D.C. United Academy players at the collegiate level.
