DC United Become Latest MLS Academy to Join UPSL, 13th MLS Club to Join League
The United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) is proud to announce that DC United Academy has joined the league, becoming the 13th MLS club to take part. The club joins Philadelphia Union as the latest MLS club from the Northeast to join. Based in Washington DC, the club will begin this Fall season in the UPSL’s highly competitive DMV conferences.
Founded in 1995, the team is an inaugural club in Major League Soccer, playing in every MLS season since 1996. DC United has won four MLS Cups, four Supporters Shields, three U.S. Open Cups and six Eastern Conference championships. The club also has a CONCACAF Champions League title—in terms of trophies won, it is the joint-most successful overall club in American soccer.
The Academy has had plenty of success recently in both graduating talent and winning competitions. This season the club has eight Homegrown players signed to the first-team roster, most notably Matai Akinmboni, the league’s third-youngest player to ever compete in an MLS match. Last season, the DC United U16’s also took home the MLS Next Cup.
Speaking on the role that the UPSL will play in the club’s youth development process, Academy Director Patrick Ouckama explained, “We are very excited to compete in the upcoming UPSL Premier Division season. The league will play an integral role in our player development. We are confident that this platform will provide a competitive environment for our older academy players and allow them to continue their development towards our first-team.”
UPSL Vice-President Christian Vallejos spoke about the excitement surrounding DC United joining the league. “We are very excited to welcome DC United to the United Premier Soccer League. DC United are one of the most successful franchises in the MLS and we very much look forward to welcoming them this Fall season. United are joining a very competitive DMV South conference and this addition only raises the level of our Premier Division.”
DC United are set to make their UPSL regular season debut this Fall in the DMV South Conference. They join highly-regarded DMV South champions Arlington SA, as well as one of the UPSL’s highest scoring teams, Alexandria Reds.
For more information on the league’s upcoming Fall Premier Division season please visit premierstaging.upsl.com for teams and schedules.
About United Premier Soccer League
The UPSL was formed in 2011 and occupies the unofficial fourth tier of US Soccer. Across its Premier, Division 1 and Womens leagues there are more than 400 teams competing nationwide. The UPSL is now the largest Pro Development League in North America and is a National Affiliate member of the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF). Each UPSL team is individually owned and operated. UPSL teams are eligible to participate in the U.S. Open Cup Qualifying Rounds through the league’s affiliation with USSF.
More information about UPSL can be found at www.staging.upsl.com or by following the league on Facebook (facebook.com/upslsoccer), Instagram (@upslsoccer) and Twitter (@upslsoccer).