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D.C. United Academy update:  November 13, 2008

13 Nov, 2008

Several D.C. United Academy players trained with members of the first team this week. Under 18 standouts Junior Bioh, Uwem Etuk, Chris Hegngi, Alex Herrera, Travis Pittman and Paul Torres all earned the chance to train alongside the Black-and-Red’s professional players.

“This group of very talented young players have shown us over the last several weeks that they deserve the opportunity to train with our first team based on their effort and performance during our pre-season,” said Director of Youth Development John Maessner. “This is special opportunity that we afford our top Academy players on a regular basis and what makes our Academy program so special.” 

The connection with the first team is one of the benefits of the Academy. Players chosen to participate in first-team trainings get a chance to experience what it would be to train like a professional. “The training was very intense and physical,” said defender Alex Herrera. “It was a great experience and I would love to have the opportunity again sometime. Some of the [first team] players on the field taught me a lesson.”

Local Virginia product Travis Pittman agrees that first team training is faster and harder than he’s used to. He hopes this chance will further develop his skills, as he wants to someday play for D.C. United. “At the moment, I am committed to West Virginia University, but if D.C. United offered me a contract I would seriously consider it,” the midfielder said.

“We are very happy with how our players are developing and hope to have Academy players playing for the first team in the near future,” Maessner added.  “I believe we have the players in our Academy that have the potential to contribute to the success of our first team.  We have a lot of work to do and we are excited about this program’s future.”

Academy Pre-Season

Both of United’s Academy teams recorded victories over local opposition Real Maryland in two tightly contested encounters over the weekend. In a pre-season friendly at the Maryland SoccerPlex, Under 16 left-back Julian Saldana was the sole scorer in a 1-0 victory over Real Maryland’s Under 17 side, while the Under 18s saw Uwem Etuk’s strike hit the crossbar before Chris Hegngi headed the ball in to defeat Real Maryland 1-0.

“This was a great day for our teams, as Real Maryland gave us two very competitive games that will help with the preparation for our upcoming matches at the Academy Winter Showcase,” Maessner said.

The D.C. United Academy will continue its preparation for the upcoming US Soccer Development Academy season this Saturday when they face D.C. United Academy Affiliate Club Freestate at Indian Creek Upper School. The U18 team will be in action first at 1 p.m. against the U17 Freestate Elite, followed at 3:15 p.m. by the U16 team’s match against the U18 Freestate Blazers. The Black-and-Red will round out its pre-season schedule against D.C. United Academy Affiliate Club D.C. Stoddert on Sunday, November 23rd.

The Development Academy’s season will start in December, when the D.C. United Academy teams travel to Lancaster, Calif. for the Academy Winter Showcase. The teams will face the California Odyssey on Dec. 5, Metro United on Dec. 6 and the Virginia Rush on Dec. 8.
 

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