WASHINGTON, D.C. - United for D.C., the non-profit arm of D.C. United, announced today that its after-school soccer program, the United Soccer Club, will launch tomorrow, Tuesday, March 28. In partnering with DC Parks and Recreation and the Barry Farm Resident Council, along with sponsors SCORE and Kwik Goal, USC hopes to serve up to 88 first-, second- and third-graders. Tuesday's event will run from 3:30 - 5:30 at the Barry Farm recreation Center.
"We are thrilled to be able to launch the first-ever soccer-specific league East of the Anacostia River," said Kevin Payne, President & CEO of D.C. United and member of the United for D.C. Board of Directors. "We hope that the United Soccer Club will supplement the soccer already being played by youth in Wards 7 and 8 through DC SCORES, DC Parks and Recreation and the Boys & Girls Clubs to help create a pathway of soccer for these children and young people."
Among the players making appearances at the event are Ben Olsen and Clyde Simms, who will be available to sign autographs. For those children already registered for USC, a clinic will be held, while other members of the Ward 7 and 8 communities may register their children during the event. District native and former D.C. United defender, Judah Cooks, will run the teaching event. Cooks recently joined the D.C. United staff to lead the United Soccer League initiative.
In its first year, the United Soccer Club will run for ten weeks, teaching fundamental skills on Tuesdays and hosting mini "fun" games on Thursdays. During the summer months, the United Soccer Club will host a series of clinics throughout Anacostia and other neighborhoods East of the River in hopes of expanding the after-school program.
For more information on the United Soccer Club or any of United for D.C.'s programs and community involvement, please contact Catherine Marquette, United for D.C.'s Executive Director and D.C. United's Director of Community Relations via e-mail (cmarquette@dcunited.com or phone (202-587-5443).
Editor’s Note: When speaking of the organization, please refer to the team as either "D.C. United" or "United," but not "the D.C. United" or "the United." We appreciate your cooperation.
© 2008 United for D.C. All Rights Reserved. 
