Washington, D.C. - D.C. United proudly announced today the commitment of the first 18 players to the year-round Youth Academy, highlighted by two youth internationals Howard Turk and Darnell Edwards. The players have agreed to part ways from prior club teams and forge their futures in the D.C. United youth program as a part of the National Academy League.
"We are very happy to announce our first group of players who have committed to D.C. United for our U-16 and U-18 U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy teams," said United Youth Director, John Maessner. "Featuring youth internationals such as Turk and Edwards, this is a very talented group of players. These are very exciting times for young soccer players in the U.S. The newly formed U.S. Development Academy is a great step for this country in developing promising young athletes."
Prominent club teams throughout the region have put forth great effort and produced tremendous results to develop the players listed below whom have signed with the D.C. United Academy. The players, along with their previous club, include: Christopher Hegngi (Potomac U16, Bethesda U15), Parnell Hegngi (Bethesda), Darnell Edwards (Dematha HS, USA U17 Residency), Michael Funes (Potomac, DC Stoddert), Bill Hamid (McLean FC, Dematha HS), Paul Torres (Bethesda), Myles McGinley (Bethesda, RFC, McLean), Julio Arjona (Bethesda, Potomac, MSC), Chris Jumalon (Waldorf Soccer Club), Isaac Taylor (SAC), Alex Cavanagh (Annandale, Alexandria), Marcus Douglas (Potomac, DC Stoddert), Shane Cooke (MCSA), William "Jr" Bioh (Team America Premier), Stefone Coburn (Freestate), Mauriccio Navarette (MSC), Sami Badr (Bethesda) and Howard Turk (USA U17 Residency).
D.C. United also announced that their U-17 Youth Development team will compete in Soccer United Marketing's inaugural Youth Development soccer tournament, SUM U-17 Cup. All games will take place at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. The tournament will take place on the week leading up to the 2007 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game from July 13 to July 19.
"We are thrilled to be a part of this inaugural event," continued Maessner. "D.C. United has had a history of success with is first team and we want to continue that tradition with our youth teams. This is one of the first steps in showing the commitment that Major League Soccer has made in youth development and we look forward to being the leading force in helping to develop the country's most gifted players."
12 youth teams from MLS franchises will take part in the tournament, all vying for a chance to represent Major League Soccer at the 2008 Torneo Quixote in Spain. The tournament format will feature three groups of four with the group winners and the best second place team advancing to the semifinals. The group matches will take place on July 13, 14, and 16 and the semi-finals will take place on July 17. Finally, the championship match, to be played on the Dicks Sporting Goods stadium field, will take place on Thursday July 19 at 10 a.m. MT before the Sierra Mist All-Star Game.
D.C. United's youth team will kick off their first round games versus the Colorado Rapids A team at 5:30 p.m. on July 13. The following day the Black-and-Red will face off against the Columbus Crew at 5 p.m., before finishing off their first round games versus Real Salt Lake on July 16 at 5 p.m. All of United's opening round games take place on DSGP Complex Field 1. For complete schedule, see below.
(All times local/Schedule and locations subject to change)
Date/Game Time Matchup Location
July 13, 5:30pm - 7pm 1 - Rapids A v United DSGP Complex Field 1
July 14, 5pm - 6:30pm 7 - United v Crew DSGP Complex Field 1
July 16, 5pm - 6:30pm 13 - United v RSL DSGP Complex Field 1
Semifinals
July 17, 7pm - 8:30pm 1st Seed v 4th Seed Field 1
2nd Seed v 3rd Seed Field 2
Championship Game
July 19, 10:00-11:30am Semifinal winners DSGP Stadium
Team: D.C. United U-17
Roster:
Julio Arjona Midfield
Samir Badr Goalkeeper
William Bioh Midfield/Forward
Alex Cavanagh Midfield
Stefone Coburn Defense
Shane Cooke Midfield
Marcus Douglas Midfield/Forward
Darnell Edwards Midfield
Hudson Finch-Batista Midfield
Michael Funes Forward
Vincent Garofalo Defense
Joseph Gyau Midfield
Abdul Hamid Goalkeeper
Chris Hegngi Forward
Chris Jumalon Defense
Michael Miller Defense
Sean Murnane Defense
Isaac Taylor Defense
Lester Dewee Midfield
Staff:
John Maessner
Judah Cooks
Chris Megaloudis
Marco Etcheverry
Chris Cornish
