D.C. United Academy update: December 10, 2008

D.C. United’s Academy teams kicked off the 2008-2009 US Soccer Development Academy season with a strong showing at the Academy Winter Showcase in Lancaster, Calif. In an event that was being called the biggest youth soccer event in US Soccer history, United’s youth looked impressive. The U18 team dominated in all three of their games, winning by wide margins. The U16s also put on a good performance, tying in their first game and winning the final two.  

“We were very pleased overall with our performances at the Winter Showcase,” said United’s Director of Youth Development John Maessner.  “Both groups played well and impressed with their style of play and skill.  It’s a great start to this 2008/2009 Academy year and we look forward to improving our teams and moving our players along in their development.”

The U16 squad began their season with a 1-1 draw against Cal Odyssey. After going down a goal early in the game, Yam Amankwa found the equalizer in the 30th minute. The U18 team dominated in their match, defeating Cal Odyssey 3-0 thanks to goals by Uwem Etuk, Jr Bioh and Eliseo Fraga.  Goalkeeper Bill Hamid made a spectacular save in the 34th minute that kept the score even and preserved the shutout.

Sunday the teams faced Metro United. The U16s went down in the first half but eventually evened the score in the 78th minute, thanks to a goal by Steven Mashinski. In the game’s final minute, Myles McGinley scored the game winner to give the D.C. United youth a 2-1 victory. The U18s continued their excellent showing as they defeated Metro United 5-1. Fraga and Bioh each scored two while Chris Hegngi added a penalty kick.

The final games for United’s youth teams came on Monday, when they faced the Virginia Rush. The U16s won by a score of 3-1, thanks to a penalty kick by Sam Bradley and goals from Luiz Cartagena and Dallas Aminzadeh. The U18s capped off their dominating performance with a 3-0 win over the Rush. Sean Murnane found the back of the net for United while Hegngi added two more.

“It was a great first weekend the season for our young team, with three very strong performances from all players,” said U16 head coach Richie Burke. “We were disappointed not to win all three games, but happy with the level of play in all of the contests, even in the match we tied. There were some nerves, understandably, in the first match, but we improved enormously over the weekend and our level of play was at its best in our final match.”

U18 Head Coach Judah Cooks also said it was a good way to start the season. “Our boys conducted themselves professionally on and off the field, while meeting our goal of nine points that was set before the trip,” Cooks said.  “We are pleased with the group for the commitment that they showed and look forward to our next game.”

The Academy Winter Showcase was the biggest youth soccer event in US Soccer history, with 148 teams representing 74 clubs playing more than 250 games over the extended weekend. In addition, this year also featured the U17 Men\'s National Team playing international friendlies against Brazil and Australia. Professional and college scouts were in attendance to the event, as well as US Soccer Youth National team coaches who looked at the top prospects in the Under 15/16 and Under 17/18 age groups.

The D.C. United Academy teams will now face local rival Potomac on Sunday, December 14 at the Maryland SoccerPlex Field #19. The U16s will play at 1 p.m. followed by the U18s at 3 p.m.