D.C. United training program registration now open

Elite training sessions will provide participants the opportunity to earn a spot on Pre-Academy squads and recently introduced U-14 Academy Team

Washington, D.C. (January 23, 2013) – With the new year just underway, the 2013 D.C. United Training Program – led by Pre-Academy and Academy coaching staff – is open for registration and the winter session is just around the corner, starting on Sunday, February 3. The Training Program, which is available to the U9-U11 and U12-U13 age groups, presents a key opportunity for participants to be identified and scouted for United’s Pre-Academy squads and the recently introduced U-14 Academy Team.

Commencing in the fall of this year, the U-13/14 division of the U.S Soccer Development Academy will consist of current Academy clubs and select sides from outside the current Academy structure. The adoption of the new model will bolster the level of competitiveness of United’s Academy, which has already produced Homegrown talents such as First-Team starters Bill Hamid and Andy Najar. Pre-Academy and Academy product Michael Seaton, age 16, became the most recent Homegrown player to sign directly with the senior squad when he inked a deal on January 14.

“Our Training Programs have been an excellent resource for the staff to work with and observe many of the area’s top youth players,” said Tom Torres, Head Scout of Youth Development and Head Coach of the U-16 Academy Team. “Each season, we have seen the overall level of the players improve and we are excited to create the foundation of next season’s and future Academy teams.”

The Training Program will be conducted during the winter, spring, summer and fall and each session will feature six two-hour long practices over six different weekends. Players will train like D.C. United’s Academy and First Team players at the RFK Stadium Complex, and this elite program will feature a competitive environment with a focus on individual technique and tactical understanding. Program participants will also receive a ticket voucher to a D.C. United home game.

To select the program for which you would like to register, click here. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please contact Program Manager Mikael Tigrett at 202-587-5468.

Training Program Details:

Location: RFK Stadium Complex

Age groups: U9-U11 (2001, 2002 & 2003) and U12-U13 (1998, 1999 & 2000)

Registration: Open

Tuition: Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall session: $360 (6 sessions—12 hours of instruction);

2013 Package: $1,200 (24 sessions—48 hours of instruction)

2013 Training Program Dates:

Winter Session: Sundays, 4:00-6:00pm

·         February 3, 10, 17, 24; March 3, 10

·         Make up dates: March 17, 24

Spring Session: Sundays, 5:00-7:00pm

·         April 7, 14, 21, 28; May 5, 12

·         Make up dates: May 19, 26

Summer Session: Wednesdays, 5:00-7:00pm

·         June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; July 7

·         Make up dates: July 14, 21

Fall Session: Sundays, 5:00-7:00pm

·         September 22, 29; October 6, 13, 20, 27

·         Make up dates: November 3, 10