Marcus Douglas, who rose from the DC Stoddert Eagles to the D.C. United Academy, always aimed to play top-level soccer. The Gonzaga graduate and University of Virginia freshman did exactly that this winter, as the Cavaliers won the 2009 NCAA Division 1 men’s title.

Boys’ Technical Director Sona Walla caught up with his former player this January and talked with him about school, life and soccer. Read the full interview - and learn just how far soccer can take you!

 Coach Sona Walla, left, with his former player Marcus Douglas in January.

Great soccer, up close and personal. Come cheer on the DC Stoddert Advanced Training Program squad as they take on the D.C. United U18 Academy team this Saturday, October 24, at 4:30 pm on Ft. Stevens field, 1327 Van Buren St. NW.

Former Eagles teammates Mikey Funes, Marcus Douglas and Hudson Batista with coach Sona Walls. All three competed on D.C. United’s youth squad. Marcus was recruited by the University of Virginia, where he is a freshman this fall. (Photo by Woody Landay)

WHAT IS THE ADVANCED TRAINING PROGRAM?

A club endorsed, high-level supplemental training program directed by Boys’ Technical Director Sona Walla that is designed to detect, group, and train DC Stoddert’s most advanced players  to prepare them to integrate the highest levels of youth soccer both locally (D.C. United Youth Academy) and nationally (US Soccer Academy League). The program is available to players from the U-11 thru U-17 age groups. All interested players are welcome to try out--regardless of current level of play. Sessions start in mid-September.

AFFILIATION WITH D.C. UNITED

The ATP is affiliated with the prestigious D.C. United Youth Academy that selects the Washington Metropolitan Area’s strongest youth talents to compete nationally in the US Soccer Development Academy League, the highest platform of youth soccer in the country.  A number of DC Stoddert players have been selected from the ATP to join D.C. United’s U-16 and U-18 Academy teams. Read about Mikey, Marcus and other DC Stoddert ATP stars here and here.

• Direct exposure to the D.C. United Youth Academy coaches.
• Opportunities to observe the D.C. United Youth Academy squad train.
• Opportunities to train with the D.C. United Youth Academy squad as guest/tryout players in the appropriate age groups.
• Opportunities to compete against the D.C. United Youth Academy squad via friendly matches in the appropriate age groups.
• Opportunities to be ball boys at the D.C. United professional team matches.

ATP Schedule

The ATP Program runs concurrent with the spring and fall travel soccer seasons. It involves nine (9) sessions per season, including training sessions and a few games.

posted 9/10/09 by MCL