The DMV P2P U12s won the Generation adidas Cup in Atlanta last weekend, going undefeated in the competition and defeating the New York Red Bulls 4-2 in the championship match.
DMV P2P U12 results:
- P2P vs. Azurri Storm (Orlando Affiliate): W 3-1
- P2P vs. Sporting Kansas City Affiliate: W 3-1
- P2P vs. Real Salt Lake: W 3-1
- P2P vs. Michigan Wolves (Columbus Affiliate): W 3-0
- P2P vs. Atlanta United: W 2-1
- P2P vs. New York Red Bulls: W 4-2 (finals)
The DMV P2P team was composed of players from four different clubs within D.C. United Academy's P2P partnership: Arlington Soccer, Loudoun Soccer Club, Pipeline Soccer Club, and Virginia Development Academy.
DMV P2P U12 roster:
- Alexis Cortes: Virginia Development Academy
- Gary Grigoryan: Virginia Development Academy
- Parker Hook: Pipeline Soccer Club
- Stiven Jiminez: Arlington Soccer
- Cal Lackner: Pipeline Soccer Club
- Connor Messick: Virginia Development Academy
- Joseph Molina: Pipeline Soccer Club
- Oliver Rivera: Loudoun Soccer Club
- Lucas Sarvas: Arlington Soccer
- Chris Applewhite: Arlington Soccer
"We received a lot of compliments about the P2P team and the quality of players we had," D.C. United Academy coach Ben Applefield said. "I think the success the group had is a testament to the work that all the clubs and coaches within the P2P program are doing on a daily basis within their respective environments."
In addition to winning the championship, Joseph Molina received the Golden Boot for the most goals in the tournament (8), and Lucas Sarvas received the Golden Ball for the most impactful player of the tournament.
"The players themselves also deserve a ton of credit," Applefield added. "In addition to their individual talents and abilities, they bought in to coming together as a group. Despite never playing before as a team, their chemistry and support for each other on and off the field only improved as the tournament went on."
Leading up to the GA Cup, the P2P player pool had the opportunity to work with different coaches from United's partner clubs, culminating in a final roster of 10 players traveling to Atlanta for the tournament. The group was coached by D.C. United Academy's Ben Applefield and Kacy Charlton, and Virginia Development Academy's Quan Phan.
"The coaching staff and I are extremely proud of the boys for their commitment and continued growth from the first P2P training session," Phan said. "Every player has worked hard to earn his place in the P2P program and persevered in a competitive environment to ultimately win the GA Cup. It is exciting to see young players believe in each other, have confidence in their own abilities, and successfully compete against other top level players from across North America."
Moving forward, through the partnership, players with affiliated clubs will continue to be selected into the DMV P2P program and will have the opportunity to work with top area coaches on their journey toward the professional ranks. Players train alongside the best talents in the region and participate in elite youth tournaments, like the Generation adidas Cup and the International Champions Cup Futures tournament.
Based on performances with their individual clubs, players will be invited to monthly training sessions with other high-performing players from other P2P clubs and the D.C. United Academy. Through this unique program, players receive the opportunity to play with the top competitors in the area in order to compete at the highest levels of youth soccer.
