D.C. United have announced the hiring of Patrick Ouckama as their new Academy Director. Ouckama joins D.C. United after spending four seasons with the New England Revolution.
“We are excited to add Pat as our new Academy Director and we believe that his soccer acumen and previous experience will allow us to expand and improve on an already impressive and accomplished academy in MLS,” Dave Kasper, D.C. United President of Soccer Operations, said. “Our Academy continues to produce quality Homegrowns in MLS and Pat will be integral in the continued success of our youth system. We want to welcome him to the club and we’re looking forward to his contributions.”
Prior to accepting his role as academy director, Ouckama served as the Head Coach of the Under-17s, Director of Coaching, and the Director of the Residency Program for the New England Revolution Academy. One of his most notable accomplishments with the New England Academy came in his inaugural season when Ouckama led the Revs to a championship in the Montreal Impact International U-14 tournament in Summer 2017, defeating Italy's Bologna FC, 1-0, in the final.
“I am honored and humbled to represent such a historic club in one of the most talented regions in the country,” Patrick Ouckama, D.C. United Academy Director, said. “There is a tradition of success at D.C. United and I intend to honor that as the academy identifies and develops the next professional player that will add value to our first team and beyond. I thank ownership and management for this opportunity.”
Ouckama has established himself as a leading youth soccer coach in the country and has earned multiple elite coaching accreditations. He currently carries the Elite Formation Coaching License from the French Football Federation (FFF) and an “A” Coaching License from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).
Before joining the New England Revolution Academy, Ouckama was the head coach of men’s soccer for Ithaca College in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III from 2015 to 2017. Ouckama posted an overall conference record of 11-2-1 during his time with Ithaca and played for the Empire 8 Championship in each of his two seasons at the helm. For his success, Ouckama was named the Empire 8 Doug May Coach of the Year in 2015.
Prior to becoming head coach at Ithaca College, Ouckama coached at the club level at Westchester Soccer Academy, Castleford Youth Soccer Club, and New York Soccer Club.
As a player, Ouckama was a four-year starter for Ithaca from 2001 to 2004 and served as a team captain for three seasons. He was an All-Empire 8 selection four times and earned three Northeast All-Region honors. After graduating from Ithaca with a degree in journalism in 2005, he moved on to play professionally for the Baltimore Blast of the Major Indoor Soccer League..
