Dev. Academy: D.C. United U-18s, U-16s compile perfect weekend record

By Jimmy LaRoue

D.C. United’s Development Academy teams picked up two wins each over the weekend, as the Under-15/16s and U-17/18s defeated Northeast Division clubs South Central Premier and Oakwood Soccer Club.

United’s U-15/16s (7-5-2) took a 4-0 win over South Central Premier Saturday, getting a brace from Michael Seaton, as he scored in the second and 29th minutes. Michael Monahan and Heyner Pajaro tacked on second half goals in the 70th and 79th minutes, respectively. United took a 3-1 decision Sunday over Oakwood.

“The boys showed a lot of character in going down and coming back to score 3 in 20,” said United U-16 head coach Tom Torres in a press release. “They could have easily put their heads down and panic. Instead, it was refreshing to see them continue to move the ball and get rewarded. Overall, it was a successful weekend in terms of style of play coupled with positive results.”

Potomac’s U-15/16s (3-7-2) also won matches against the same two teams, defeating Oakwood 4-3 on Saturday behind a hat trick from Kevin Guzman within the first 30 minutes of the match. Nicolas Notaro tacked on what proved to be the match winner in the 67th minute.

In Potomac’s match Sunday, Guzman scored the lone goal of the match in the 4th minute of a 1-0 win over South Central Premier.

In U-17/18 play, United (6-5-3) got goals four minutes apart from Jason Eckenrode (15th minute) and Jose Porteria (19th minute) in a 2-0 shutout of South Central Premier. In Sunday’s match against Oakwood, United trailed 1-0, but Patrick Foss tied the match in the 32nd minute, and Suliaman Dainkeh provided the match-winner in the 90th minute.

“The team has been doing well for the past few weeks, dominating play,” said United U-18 head coach Nolan Sheldon. “Now we are starting to see the team’s playing quality turn into goals. Both wins were well deserved and should give the team confidence moving forward.”

Potomac’s U-17/18s (1-7-4) couldn’t duplicate the feat of its younger squad, as they fell 1-0 to Oakwood Saturday and lost by the same scoreline Sunday to South Central Premier.