D.C. United U-23
D.C. United U-23 is an American soccer club based in Washington, D.C. The team last played in the fourth-division Premier Development League and represented the most senior age group within parent club D.C. United's academy system. The club was founded in 2011 and spent 2012 playing a string of exhibition matches against various PDL and NPSL clubs, before debuting in the National Premier Soccer League in 2013. The club's first coach was former D.C. United player, Jaime Moreno. For the 2017 season, D.C United's U-23 team will be playing against USL, PDL, and NPSL teams. The team will be coached by Ryan Martin, the club's academy director.
Full name | D.C. United U-23 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | The Black-and-Red | ||
Founded | 2011 | ||
Ground | RFK Auxiliary Field Washington, D.C. | ||
Capacity | 3,200 | ||
Website | Club website | ||
| |||
The club switched leagues in 2015, joining the PDL for the 2015 season.[1]
History
D.C. United U-23 was founded by Major League Soccer franchise D.C. United to serve as the most senior development side of the club's extensive development academy. The club was founded in 2011 and spent 2012 playing friendly matches against fellow amateur competition in the USL Premier Development League (PDL) and the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), before launching its inaugural season in the NPSL in 2013.
Following the founding of the club in 2011, D.C. United announced that former player, considered fan favorite and club legend, Jaime Moreno, would be the U-23's first-ever head coach.[2] After a single-season at the helm of the club, Moreno would move on to pursue other opportunities, with the goal of becoming head coach of an MLS team.[3] Former professional player and experienced coach, Amos Magee, would be announced as Moreno's replacement for the 2014 season on March 7, 2014.[4]
After a strong first campaign under Moreno, finishing 3rd in the Mid-Atlantic Division in 2013, the Black-and-Red would go undefeated in their subsequent season, finishing first in the division before bowing out in the first round of the playoffs, losing 1–0 to GBFC Thunder.[5]
In February 2015, the club would announce a switch to the USL Premier Development League for the 2015 season, along with fellow and rival MLS academy club, the New York Red Bulls U-23.[1][6]
Year-by-year
Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | 4 | NPSL | 3rd, Mid-Atlantic | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
2014 | 4 | NPSL | 1st, Mid-Atlantic | Regional Semifinals | Did not qualify |
2015 | 4 | USL PDL | 5th, Mid Atlantic | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
Head coaches
- Jaime Moreno (2011–2013)
- Amos Magee (2014–2015)
- Ryan Martin (2017–present)
References
- "D.C. United Under-23 team to compete in Premier Development League in 2015". DCUnited.com. February 19, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
- "D.C. United Legend Jaime Moreno To Coach Club's New U-23 Team". SBNation.com. May 5, 2011. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
- Andy Edwards (June 25, 2013). "Jaime Moreno will leave DC United U-23 coaching job, wants to be an MLS head coach". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
- "Amos Magee joins D.C. United as U-23 Head Coach and Assistant Coach to the First Team". DCUnited.com. March 7, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
- Molly Bruh (July 14, 2014). "D.C. United U-23s end great NPSL season". DCUnited.com. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
- Christian Candeloro (May 15, 2015). "New York Red Bulls and D.C. United U23 Join PDL". OceanCityFC.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2015.