The D.C. United Academy is the youth and development program for the Major League Soccer club D.C. United. The program consists of teams at four age levels:"The kids are coming", ESPN, Leander Schaerlaeckens, June 1, 2010. the under-23 and under-20 teams, as well as the Academy (U-17, U-16, and U-15).

The D.C. United Academy has been one of the most successful MLS academies."DC United Announces Residential Academy", Vavel, Liam McMahon, February 20, 2015. Many players have been signed directly from the Academy to the professional team, or have later played professionally. Notable players to have graduated from the D.C United Academy include Bill Hamid, who has been called up by the U.S. national team and who was the MLS 2014 Goalkeeper of the Year, and Andy Najar, who has been capped for Honduras and who was the MLS 2010 Rookie of the Year."D.C. United to launch youth academy residency program in Maryland", Washington Post, Steven Goff, February 19, 2015."Orlando City eager to build strong pipeline from developmental academy to MLS level" , Orlando Sentinel, Paul Tenorio, July 4, 2015."D.C. United’s Homegrown talent leads the way in MLS awards" , SoccerWire.com, Chris Teale, December 9, 2014.

History The D.C. United Academy was created in 2005 in an effort to provide local talent an opportunity to have professional training. D.C. United was one of the first MLS clubs to develop its own academy. The D.C. United Academy gained some press in 2013 when D.C. United Academy graduate Michael Seaton made his league debut with D.C. United; Seaton was the first player to play an MLS game who was born after MLS began play in 1996."D.C. United Loans Michael Seaton to Örebro SK", Last Word on Sports, Alec Rivera, April 1, 2015. D.C. United decided in 2015, however, to reduce its outlays on its academy in part to help defray the expenses associated with the team's new soccer-specific stadium."D.C. United’s bizarre approach to development continues apace", Top Drawer Soccer, Will Parchman, August 5, 2015.

Structure D.C. United Academy StructureLevelTypeLeague Senior team Professional Major League Soccer Reserve team Professional USL ChampionshipU-18 Academy MLS NextU-16U-15U-14

Like most Major League Soccer teams, United's academy features youth pre-academy teams that ascend to the ranks of the senior team on the professional level. Starting in 2016, United will field their reserve team in the second-division USL Championship. Beneath their reserve and senior squads is the under-23 side, whom play exhibition matches.

The teenage brackets represent the main academy as well as the pre-academy structure. Players from the under-15 to the under-18 age level play in MLS Next, playing against other academy teams around the nation. Formerly, the academy played in the USSDA.

Consisting of players aged from under-12 to under-14, the Pre-Academy is a stepping stone for younger players to adapt to an academy setting. This age group of players participates in Northeast Pre-Academy League.

For players at the U-10 level and below, United offers specialty training camps.

D.C. United Academy is fully funded and does not charge any fees for its players.

Notable alumni

Andy Najar, who transferred from D.C. United to Belgium's Anderlecht for a reported $2 million, was the first player from the D.C. United Academy — and first from any MLS academy — to move to Europe on a permanent contract."D.C. United selling Andy Najar to Anderlecht", Washington Post, Steven Goff, January 30, 2013. The youngest D.C. United Academy signing is Chris Durkin, who signed for D.C. United in 2016 at 16 years old."Glen Allen native Chris Durkin signs with D.C. United", Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 14, 2016. Furthermore, several D.C. United Academy players have played with U.S. national youth teams."D.C. United to play in U-13 Concacaf Champions League Tournament", Soccer America, Mike Woitalla, August 3, 2015.

MLS players The following list includes players who, after leaving the D.C. United Academy, have played at least one match in Major League Soccer.

+D.C. Academy prospects who played in MLS Name Turned Pro DCU apps Left DCU Departure National team (caps) Bill Hamid 2009 240 — — (7) Andy Najar 2010 100 2013 $3 million transfer to Anderlecht (Belgium)."Former D.C. United star Andy Najar extends Anderlecht contract through 2018", Sports Illustrated, Avi Creditor, April 29, 2014. (36) Conor Shanosky 2010 5 2014 Released. Signed with Louisville City FC. United States U20 Ethan White 2010 38 2013 Traded to Philadelphia for Jeff Parke. United States U20 Michael Seaton 2013 5 2015 Traded to Portland. (14) Collin Martin 2013 15 2016 Traded to Minnesota for 4th round draft pick. United States U20 Jalen Robinson 2014 26 2019 Contract ended. United States U23 Chris Durkin 2016 36 2020 $1.1 million transfer to Sint-Truiden (Belgium). United States U23 Ian Harkes 2017 33 2018 Released. Signed with Dundee (Scotland). United States U20 Antonio Bustamante 2019 2 2019 Released. Signed with Blooming (Bolivia). (2) Donovan Pines 2019 93 2023 Signed with Barnsley F.C. (2) Griffin Yow 2019 36 2022 $100,000 transfer to K.V.C. Westerlo (Belgium) United States (4) Moses Nyeman 2019 32 2022 $350,000 transfer to S.K. Beveren (Belgium) United States U20 Kevin Paredes 2020 41 2022 $7.35 million transfer to VfL Wolfsburg (Germany) United States (4) Jacob Greene 2021 16 2024 Signed with Columbus Crew 2 Trinidad and Tobago Jeremy Garay 2021 3 2025 Out of contract, joined Loudoun United El Salvador (2) Ted Ku-DiPietro 2022 70 2025 Sold to Colorado Rapids United States U23 Jackson Hopkins 2022 53 United States U20 Matai Akinmboni 2022 17 2025 Transfer to AFC Bournemouth United States U20 Gavin Turner 2025 1 United States U16 Oscar Avilez 2026 0 United States U16 Grant Leveille 2026 0 Haiti

Notes: D.C. United appearances updated as of November 29, 2020. Where a player has played with multiple levels of a national team (e.g., men's team, under-20 team, under-18 team), only the highest level is listed.

Source: D.C. United

The Academy U19 team

U16/U17 Team

U15 Team

U14 Team

Coaching staff

Reserves

From 2005 until 2012, D.C. United fielded a reserve team that played in the MLS Reserve Division. The reserve team disbanded when Major League Soccer and USL Pro announced a player development partnership, and United announced Richmond Kickers as their USL Pro affiliate.

Honors

MLS Reserve Division: 1 2005

Seasons

SeasonMLS Reserve LeagueTop goalscorer(s)GPWTLGFGAPtsPosNameGoals2005128042621241stJamil Walker92006126152211195th2007124531612175th2008125141921165th2011963021921Eastern Division2ndJoseph Ngwenya4

See also D.C. United D.C. United U-23 D.C. United U-20 U.S. Soccer Development Academy

References General Academy alumni sourced to: Academy rosters sourced to: Footnotes

External links D.C. United Academy D.C. United U-23's D.C. United U-18's D.C. United U-16's

Pre-Academy D.C. United Pre-Academy U-15's D.C. United Pre-Academy U-14's

Alumni Academy Alumni