The DC United Soccer Club is considered the most successful club in Major League Soccer, having won four MLS championships since its inception in 1995.
The main club also sponsors a youth team which is recognized as one of the elite youth teams in the country. Their Youth Academy hosts players as young as fifteen in several elite teams which lead the nation in programs that advance players into Division One Soccer.
Sophomore Lars Eckenrode trains as part of this elite group, and has played in six of the Under-16 team’s games so far this season. Eckenrode first got involved through a referral from a friend, and seized the opportunity to play for such a prominent club.
“My friend was on the team and he told me to join, so he told the manager and the manager e-mailed me. I came to practices and after that I made the team,” said Eckenrode.
In both the Under-16 and Under-18 teams, players face grueling practices run by the DC United staff. The club takes their Youth Academy just as seriously as their Division-1 team. The doctors and physicians who manage the Youth Academy are the same who take care of the professional teams.
“It’s a very professional environment, professional gear, professional coaches,”said Eckenrode, “we practice right next to the main stadium.”
Practices are held in the RFK Stadium Auxiliary Fields, where National Team Scouts regularly attend to find young talent.
DC United works in US Soccer Development Academy, and the youth teams regularly train and travel for National and International Competitions.
With such a high demand on players, and an incredibly tight schedule, Eckenrode has not been able to commit fully to WS’ own boys Varsity soccer team.
“[The DC United schedule] means I can’t do as much school soccer, because we have to travel and I have to make the DC practices,” said Eckenrode.
However, the trade off is well worth it. The Youth Academy is famous for its ability to churn out D1 players, whether they attend college or go directly into Major League Soccer.
Eckenrode has good expectations for the season, and for his prospects of moving up in his soccer career. He plans to go out for the Under-18 team, and is ready for the college level challenges.
“It definitely widens the avenue, both to DC and D1 colleges that I can get a scholarship to,” said Eckenrode. “ So I’m happy to make the trade off with school, and we’ve been doing well so far this season.”
