D.C. United have an eye on the future.
The Black-and-Red announced on Thursday that they will begin a partnership this fall that will elevate the club's standard of player development, forming a residential program that will combine United's academy training with the academics at the Calverton School, a leading college preparatory school in Huntingtown, Maryland.
“This is a major step forward for the D.C United Academy,” said D.C. United director of youth development Nolan Sheldon in a statement. “We are thrilled to partner with such a strong academic institution and the wonderful staff at the Calverton School. With our academy players on campus, the club will be able to offer morning and afternoon training sessions, transportation to and from RFK Stadium and academic oversight of the players.”
The D.C. United Academy residency program at The Calverton School will help develop players at the U-14 to U-18 levels from the Mid-Atlantic region, across the country and around the globe. The Calverton campus, which is located 25 miles outside Washington, D.C., boasts the One World Residential Village and four athletic playing fields, as well as a controlled environment that promotes the academic and athletic lifestyle of a developing professional.
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The program will include five-day and seven-day residential programs for domestic, international and local student-athletes that allow for morning and afternoon training sessions. D.C. will also have a member of the staff on site permanently.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with one of the region's top independent schools to provide the best possible experience for serious student-athletes,” said United general manager Dave Kasper in the same statement. “Our goal is to provide a challenging soccer environment to help players reach their full potential, and to identify and develop players who can one day become professional players.”
