Washington, D.C. (January 8, 2013) – D.C. United and the
Annandale Boys & Girls Club (ABGC) – in conjunction with adidas
– today announced an affiliate agreement, the first of its kind between
D.C. United and a club in the State of Virginia. Under the agreement, ABGC will
be one of D.C. United’s primary sources in identifying and developing the
top youth talent in Virginia.
ABGC, along with United’s Academy, has already produced current D.C.
United and U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Bill Hamid. United will
share its coaching resources and will work with ABGC to follow its training
curriculum and system of play. Top players in the ABGC system, identified by
both D.C. United and ABGC, will have the opportunity to join the D.C. United
Academy teams, with a
strong priority being placed on the Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18 age groups.
“We are very excited that Annandale
will be our first Virginia
affiliate club,” said Sonny Silooy, D.C. United’s Director of Youth
Development. “Annandale
has proven that they are committed to helping players reach higher levels, like
our Youth Development program is. They are one of the top clubs, if not the top
club, in Northern Virginia when it comes to
graduating players to Division I college programs, which we also boast some
very high numbers. We have also been impressed with the mentality that all of
the ABGC players seem to have when it comes to competing, especially that of
homegrown goalkeeper Bill Hamid, who has recently been called up again to the
U.S. Men’s National Team. That, for us, is very important when our
Academy is preparing players for competitions and possible Reserve Team or
First Team action.”
