Three Academy players invited to U.S. U-18 National Team Camp
Washington, D.C. (Oct. 23, 2014) – Lucas Mendes, Eryk Williamson and Daniel “DJ” Reeves have been called in to the U.S. Under-18 National Team training camp by U-18 Head Coach Javier Perez. The camp will take place at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Carson, Calif., from Oct. 23-31. This is the first U.S. Youth National Team selection for each player.
“We are excited for Lucas, Eryk and DJ for their first call-up to a youth national team camp,” said D.C. United Academy Director, Nolan Sheldon. “All three players have worked very hard and are deserving of this opportunity to showcase their qualities with the U-18 National Team.”
Mendes and Williamson joined the Black-and-Red’s Academy system from Arlington Soccer Association, one of United’s affiliate club partners. Mendes, a student at Washington-Lee High School, joined United’s program last winter and played the spring season with the U-16 side that finished the season with a 17-4-7 record. This season, after being moved up to the U-18s, Mendes has featured in all six games thus far (four starts), scoring two goals. Mendes will join the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) soccer program in 2016.
Williamson, a student at T.C. Williams High School, joined the Academy this summer, making an immediate impact. In week two, he was named to the Potomac Soccer Wire Development Academy Best 11 list – highlighting the top Academy players in the Potomac-region. In the midfield position, Williamson leads the U-18 team in goals scored, with five, starting every game.
Academy forward “DJ” Reeves, a future Univ. of Maryland prospect, was named to the Potomac Soccer Wire Development Academy Best 11 list in week one. This season, the Ashton, Md., native is tied for a team second-best scoring mark, with three, starting every game in which he has featured (six). After joining the Academy in the 2013/2014 season, he had a standout rookie campaign with United, scoring 16 goals (15 assists). For his efforts, Reeves was named to the Atlantic Division Best XI in July 2014. In addition, Reeves led goals and goals per game in the Eastern region during the 2013-14 U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) season. Reeves has committed tothe Univ. of Maryland, following graduation from Sherwood High School in 2015.
Invited D.C. United Academy Players [Name (Hometown; Previous Club)]
Lucas Mendes (Arlington, Va.; Arlington Soccer Association)
Eryk Williamson (Alexandria, Va.; Arlington Soccer Association)
Daniel Reeves (Ashton, Md.; Soccer Association of Columbia)
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