D.C. United Youth Academy prepares for 2011-2012 campaign

D.C. United has announced full details for the club’s 2011-2012 Youth Academy staff and schedule. Each of United’s Youth Development teams will train Monday through Friday.  The Black-and-Red kick off the 2011-2012 U.S. Soccer Development Academy League two months later, with the U-18’s taking on Seacoast United on November 19 and the U-16’s facing Empire United on November 20.

“We have set the bar for having the best Academy in MLS and we look forward to continued success in 2012,” said United General Manager Dave Kasper.

D.C. United legend Jaime Moreno will continue to serve as Academy Technical Training Coach while D.C. United Assistant Coach Sonny Silooy will offer his expertise to Academy players and coaches.

“We look forward to building off of last season,” said Moreno. “We will start early with the U14’s and U15’s, to give them the next steps of the program as they mature. We have a good U-18 group, with a lot of talent, and the same is true of the U-16’s.”
 
“We’re establishing a new program at United, one that I have experience with in the past as a former player at Ajax,” said Silooy. “I have also worked with this system as a coach in the Academy for Ajax.  I know it takes a long time to implement, it’s a process, but I look forward to lending my knowledge to the players and staff at the club”.

In preparation for the U.S. Soccer Winter Showcase, D.C. United’s Academy will host a friendly tournament in Maryland over Thanksgiving weekend for U-14, U-15, U-16 and U-18 sides. The tournament will take place at Cedar Lane Park in Howard County, Md. and Covenant Park in Ellicott City, Md. from November 25 through November 27. This will be an invitation-only event, with competing teams to be announced at a later date.

United Academy players Michael Seaton and Jorge Calix have joined the U.S. Soccer U-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla. Beginning in 1999, the Residency Program has provided an opportunity for the best players in the country to come together and train in a professional environment. The Residency program has produced several individuals that have thrived in Major League Soccer, foreign domestic leagues and the U.S. National Team.

D.C. United’s finalized Academy rosters will be unveiled in mid-September. Below is a full listing of the club’s 2011-2012 Youth Development staff.

Academy Technical Training Coach: Jaime Moreno
D.C. United Assistant Coach: Sonny Silooy
Academy Coordinator: Junior Castro
Head Youth Scout: Tom Torres

U-18 Academy Team
Head Coach: Nolan Sheldon
Assistant Coach: Tom Torres
Assistant Coach: Kris Ward

U-16 Academy Team
Head Coach: Roberto Da Silva
Assistant Coach: Jaime Moreno

Pre-Academy Coordinator: Tom Torres

U-15 Pre-Academy Team
Head Coach: Tom Torres
Assistant Coach: Ronald Cerritos

U-14 Pre-Academy Team
Head Coach: Micah Cooks
Assistant Coach: Kris Ward
Assistant Coach: Roberto Da Silva