What ages and program levels does D.C. United Academy offer?The academy fields U14, U15, U16, and U18 teams with dedicated head coaches and operates as D.C. United’s MLS Next–aligned elite pathway. Broader skills programs, camps, RDS, and futsal for other ages and ability levels are offered separately through D.C. United Youth Programs.
About
D.C. United Academy is the Major League Soccer club’s elite youth pathway based in Washington, D.C. It targets players with the passion, ability, and commitment to pursue development that may lead toward professional soccer with D.C. United. The program is presented and outfitted by Adidas as the academy’s official partner, and it aligns with MLS Next, the league’s national youth competition platform.
Player pathway and competition level
The academy is built as a stepping stone toward the first team, not a general recreational league. Age-group teams include U14, U15, U16, and U18 sides led by designated head coaches, with support staff covering equipment, sports medicine, scouting coordination, and academy administration. Kevin Flanagan serves as Director of Academy and Player Development, and Trevor Singer leads the Academy Scouting Department. The broader D.C. United organization also connects this work with affiliates such as Loudoun United FC.
Scouting, identification, and integrity
Staff scouts observe games on a weekly basis and use a long-term talent identification model. When a player is of interest, the club’s process emphasizes reaching the player’s current club first and following a strict internal communication pathway. On-field contact between a scout and a player or parent is prohibited; identified players are reported to the Academy Scouting Director. There is no authorized private training or side door into a trial—anyone offering paid training as a route into the academy is not affiliated with D.C. United, and the club asks families to report that behavior.
Trials, Talent Center, and applications
Players who want to be considered can submit a player scouting application so staff can review interest and follow up when appropriate. Because demand is high, not every submission receives a reply. After review, possible next steps include having a scout attend a match, an extended trial with an academy team, or participation in Talent Center activity and tryout-style evaluation. The Academy Talent Center runs Talent ID Events each month during the spring and fall. For those sessions, a player’s coach or club director may contact the Academy Scouting Director, or families may use the same player scouting application process.
D.C. United Youth Programs (separate from Academy rosters)
D.C. United also runs year-round youth programming for a wider range of ages and abilities—such as the Regional Development School, futsal, skills work, and camps—under D.C. United Youth Programs. Those offerings sit alongside the academy pathway and serve families who want club-branded training without the full academy roster model.
Explore more teams
Compare D.C. United Academy with other youth soccer options in your area before making a decision. These directory links make it easier to review local clubs, broader District of Columbia programs, and nearby team options in one place.
Frequently asked questions
When can players be evaluated or attend Talent ID?Academy Talent Center Talent ID Events are scheduled every month during the spring and fall. Separately, scouting-driven evaluation may lead to a scout attending a match, an extended trial, or Talent Center participation after staff review a player scouting application.
What does scouting and recruitment look like?Scouts watch games weekly using a long-term identification model, always working through the player’s current club first and avoiding on-field contact with families. Identified players are reported to the Academy Scouting Director. The club does not offer a pay-for-access private training route into trials.
What is the academy’s mission and approach?The academy exists to develop talented youth players toward a possible professional career with D.C. United, with clear rules that protect players and clubs during identification and recruitment.
How can families express interest or get updates?Families can submit a player scouting application to start a review for scouting attendance, trials, or Talent Center options; coaches or directors may also contact the Academy Scouting Director about Talent ID Events. Social updates often appear on the D.C. United Academy account on X (@DCUyouth).
Other Clubs in District of Columbia
Achilles F.C. Foundation
Achilles F.C. Foundation is a Washington, DC–area 501(c)(3) since 2018: co-ed rec and competitive soccer, school partnerships, scholarships for travel, and a family-first culture aimed at underserved youth.
Washington, District of Columbia
View club
City Sporting Club
Washington, DC youth soccer with fall travel training at RFK and Edgewood, JR Academy Saturdays at North Michigan Park, and a four-phase player pathway from discovery through senior development. Contact the sporting director by phone or email.
Washington, District of Columbia
View club
D.C. United Youth Programs
MLS club–run youth training in the DMV: tryout-based Regional Development School (ages 8–14) as a pre-Academy feeder, subscription futsal for ages 5–12, RDS summer camps, and Summer Camps powered by Headfirst (rising K–8th) across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Washington, District of Columbia
View club
DC Armory Youth Programs
Washington, DC youth soccer combining professional coaching with parent volunteers, summer 5v5 league at $150 with financial aid, and fall–spring club teams in CPSL with practices at RFK and Anacostia Park Fields.
Washington, District of Columbia
View club
DC SCORES
DC SCORES runs free after-school and summer programming for Washington, D.C. youth: neighborhood soccer teams at 68+ schools, poetry in fall, service learning in spring, and Junior SCORES soccer for grades 1–2. Families reach coaches at their site or email parents@dcscores.org.
Washington, District of Columbia
View club
DC Soccer Club
Washington, DC youth soccer for more than 7,500 players from early childhood through U19: recreational league, clinics, Select, Travel, and Academy pathways with spring tryouts, PlayMetrics registration, and need-based aid. Office at 2201 Wisconsin Ave NW.
Washington, District of Columbia
View club
DC Soccer Federation
Washington, DC soccer organization with Junior Competitive co-ed U8–U10 teams, DC Armory youth club play, a co-ed Parents League, and hospitality-industry adult soccer. Register through TeamSnap; contact auden@dcsoccerfederation.org.
Washington, District of Columbia
View club
DC Way Academy
Capitol Hill travel soccer for boys U7–U15 and girls U7–U16 with MSI, MDSL, MCL, and EDP league play, Veo match analysis, PlayMetrics tryouts ($25 for new players), plus Capitol Hill League, Challenge Level, and skills clinics at RFK, Gallaudet, and Brentwood Hamilton Park.
Washington, District of Columbia
View club
DC Way Soccer
Capitol Hill youth soccer in Washington, DC: preschool–2nd grade Saturday league, Kids Academy ages 4–9, weekday skills clinics, Challenge Level for grades 3–6 in Metro Community League, camps, after-school, and adult clinics. +1-571-490-1275, contact@dcway.com.
Washington, District of Columbia
View club