Development Academy: D.C. United teams defeat Potomac handily
In two fast-paced, dominant matches, D.C. United’s Under-18 and U-16 Academy teams defeated Potomac’s U-18 and U-16 squads 5-0 and 4-1, respectively, on Sunday at Long Bridge Park in Arlington, Va.
Two goals in the opening minutes, courtesy of Jorge Calix (5’) and Lars Eckenrode (6’), put the Potomac U-18 squad on its heels immediately. In the 22nd minute, Nigel Robinson finished a fast break to make it 3-0 before halftime. Substitute Kainoa Bailey entered the game after the interval and tallied a brace (75’, 82’), his first a strong individual effort that left four Potomac defenders in the dust before beating the goalkeeper.
“The opening 25 minutes was the best this team has played,” said Head Coach Nolan Sheldon. “The ball possession and attacking movements were excellent. Again, it was a good team performance and a deserved three points.”
Gaining a rhythm of possession early and stymieing the opponents’ talented attacking corps with an organized back line, the U-16 team showed great discipline as well. Goals came from a Gerson Umana double – his opener a beautiful free kick from 25 yards and his second a pass from winger Julian Cummings – and a Christophe Koffi brace – his first a cross from Michael Monahan and his second a cross off of the post from Cummings.
“We were pleased with the work that all the players put into this match,” said Tom Torres, head of D.C. United’s U-16 Academy team. “They spent last week training a lot of transition play and playing on both sides of counter-attacks and they showed very well in those instances. They are playing decent soccer, but there is plenty of room for improvements with this group. We plan to get back to work this week and prepare for the home match against VA Rush.”
Both United academy teams next play on Saturday, November 3 against the VA Rush U-18’s and U-16’s at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., respectively, at Long Bridge Park in Arlington, Va. Potomac plays another local derby on Sunday, November 4 visiting beltway rivals McLean at Spring Hill Park, with the U-18s off at 9:00 a.m., and the U-16s at 11:00 a.m.
