New podcast launched for Fans of United

Fans of United is a recently launched podcast described as an unofficial podcast covering 4-time MLS champs, D.C. United hosted by Devon McTavish, Eric Hunsaker, and Chris Wimmer.

The show attempts to give a fan perspective along with some valuable insight from former United player Devon McTavish and is an attempt to fill the void of D.C. United coverage on local sports talk radio shows.

If you consider yourself a fan of D.C. United you should check out the new podcast at http://www.fansofunited.com/.

Carolina Cup, Roster, and Playoffs | Episode 3

Ready or Not | Episode 2

Virginia Native, D.C. United midfielder Conor Shanosky loaned to NASL club

Conor Shanosky is one of only four D.C. United Academy players that have gone on to sign a homegrown player contract with United. With a crowded roster at midfield for the Black and Red, United announced today that Shanosky has been loaned to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the NASL for the upcoming 2012 season. See: Conor Shanosky loaned to Fort Lauderdale Strikers

The twenty-year-old Potomac Falls High School product signed with United back in 2010 but has yet to see time with the first team in an official MLS match. Shanosky told VASoccerNews:

"I'm anxious to play and really want to prove myself."

This past off season the 6'4" midfielder, who played on the U.S. Under-20 MNT, took part in the Generation Adidas Tour with fellow up-and-coming MLS players in Holland and played some of its best reserve teams including Ajax, FC Volendam, and Almere City FC.

VASoccerNews Q&A: Sterling native, D.C. United player Conor Shanosky on his Generation Adidas experience

McLean, Richmond look to defend Division from Carolina Clubs

This article is re-posted with the express permission of TopDrawerSoccer.com 
(Click here for original article)

Carolina clubs ready to hunt Virginia sides

Article Written by Travis Clark, ESNN

With the Development Academy spring schedule about to kick into a high gear, there is going to be a tight race in the U18 Atlantic Division.

McLean Youth Soccer is currently top of the table with 26 points and an undefeated record of 8-0-2, and will look to hold off the challenge of CASL, Charlotte Soccer Academy, NC Fusion and North Meck SC, who all begin a heavy slate of action in the next two weeks.

Of course, the coaches themselves are fairly nonplussed about how the schedule breaks down in their particular division.

"There's not too much we can do about that," CASL Chelsea U18 Coach Carlos Somoano told TopDrawerSoccer.com. "We're kind of where we are, they're where they are, they're kind of towards the end of their season, we feel like we just got started."

Right now, that quartet of North Carolina-based teams are preparing to begin the chase, as the Virginia pair of McLean and Richmond Kickers currently sit first and second at the top of the division.

The Kickers, sitting on 18 points with a record of 6-6, finished the February part of its schedule with two straight wins, and hope to maintain sight of a playoffs spot.

But regardless of that, they've been pleased with how things have gone this year.

"We've had gradual improvement overall, certainly by the results they've had a lot more success on the field and the main reason for that is we played so much better over the last three months," assistant coach Leigh Cowlishaw told TopDrawerSoccer.com. "I think it has a lot to do with improved confidence from the team, understanding the style of play we've committed to, and players who've stepped up and played better soccer."

Holding off the challenge from the four very talented NC teams won't be easy, especially since the Virginia clubs won't play again until June. CASL, who won the division last year, boast UNC-bound talents like Alex Olofson and Nick Williams, while also relying on players like McAmos Paye (heading to Creighton) and Joaquin Del Rosario (NC State).

But that won't stop the NC Fusion, North Meck or Charlotte from throwing in the towel. The Fusion, who lost defender Jonathan Campbell to early enrollment at UNC, is hoping to live up to lofty expectations.

"Our emphasis is on the performances, the results are important but at the same time, they're not everything," head coach Marc Nicholls told TopDrawerSoccer.com. "We certainly expect this team is a team that should be in the playoffs and right now I think you'd have to say that we're on the bubble for that."

One thing is for sure as the chase heats up - when any of the two teams in North Carolina clash, it's going to be a spectacle, especially with what's at stake in the standings.

"Those games are great, very competitive, one game over the weekend so all of your preparation can do into that one challenge," Nicholls said of the Carolina matches. "We're able to scout each other a little bit and plan accordingly. I think they are the games players and the coaches look forward to the most, but in the right spirit."

Regardless of how those games shake out, McLean will have a final chance to seal the top spot, with four games scheduled for June, all at home against the four teams from North Carolina.

 U-18 Atlantic Division Standings

A Minute With: Andrew Dykstra, D.C. United Goalkeeper

Last week we launched a new video series called, A Minute With, that featured D.C. United midfielder Danny Cruz (click to see episode 1). The series focuses on players who are from Virginia and have gone on to succeed at the next level be it college, professional, or international. In our latest segment we feature recently signed D.C. United goalkeeper and VCU alum Andrew Dykstra.

Dykstra is a Virginia soccer native and the newest United roster member. In this segment he chats about his roots playing youth and college soccer in Virginia and his new role as goalie with the Black and Red.

We hope you enjoy the segments and if you have any players you would like to see featured on up comming segmants of A Minute With just tell us below in the comments section.

DC Elite Announce Tryouts for Summer 2012

DC ELITE TRAINING ALLIANCE

U12 and 13 boys added, Focus on training heightened

February 27th, 2012 , (Washington DC) - The summer of 2011 saw the start of a new, training and development-centered club in the Washington DC metro area. Led by former Washington Freedom directors, Jim Gabarra, Clyde Watson and Win Puffer, the youth club continued the efforts made the previous 5 years of giving elite level female players a place to grow and develop. Building off the success of being the three time #1 Girls Club in North America while competing in the United Soccer League’s Super YLeague, DC Elite competed in high level tournaments over the summer, inlcuding qualifying for the US Club Nationals in Boise, Idaho in several age groups.

For the summer of 2012, the program will be adding boys in the Under 12 and 13 age groups, and re-solidifying it's goal of putting training first. "Over the last 12 months I have watched a lot of high level soccer across the United States", said Watson, " and the underlying message we need to bring to our players is skill development through meaningful training. Players and coaches all like to win games, but the emphasis has to be on continuouisly improving the skills and training of our young players."

Trevor Parker has joined the staff as Boys Director. Parker, a former professional player who has played with clubs such as Tottenham Hotspurs FC and St. Albans FC, has an extensiver track record of player development with teams such as the MPS Hotspurs, developing teams from a young age.Of Parker, Watson said "Trevor understands the building of skills from an early age to help players develop. He is a great addition to our staff as we continue to expand our offering of meaningful training in the DC area."

Tryouts for the Summer 2012 season have been announced, and start March 4th in some age groups.

Tryout Dates:

Sunday, March 4th at Connelly School of the Holy Child

U12 and U13 Girls 3-4:30 pm
U14 and U15 Girls 4:30-6 pm
U12 and U13 Boys and U16 Girls will be at a later date
Address for Connelly School of the Holy Child:
9029 Bradley Blvd
Potomac, MD
website: http://www.holychild.org/

Sunday, March 18th, Exact Time and Location TBA

U12 and U13 Boys, tentatively 6-7:30 pm

Sunday, March 25th Location TBA
U12 and U13 Girls 6-7:30 pm
U14, U15 and U16 girls 7:30-9 pm
Interested players are asked to pre-register for tryouts. All registered participants will be notified of all updated information on tryout dates, times and locations.

Pre-register for tryouts by clicking here


Questions?? See DC Elite website at http://www.dcelitetrainingalliance.com/ or email info@dcelitetrainingalliance.com