Well isn't that the whole purpose of Loudoun United?...I thought the whole purpose was to give professional experience to our academy and other U23 prospects Speaking of which...for those of you who watched the game...the game article said Griffin Yow got on the field in the 2nd half...how did he look?
A prospect is someone who has a chance to actually make and contribute to the first team. The 2 u19 players (I consider Yow u17) who started the game will not play for DC United, ever. They aren't even good enough or productive at u19 level. Yow on the other hand is a real prospect.
Fair enough...but I would also say there are probably a lot of non-prospects on most U23 teams in Europe as well. My hope is, by showing their willingness to give playing time/development time to academy kids, we will start to see more talent enter the DC United academy
Be interesting to see if the academy players get kicked to the side once the international prospects are cleared to play.
I used to love driving Cochran Mill between Rt 7 (more accurately, the Wegmans) and Sycolin as a "short-cut" - The state shut it down for a bridge replacement a while back for many months and it re-opened but no longer goes all the way through, it's disconnected somewhere - not sure if it's between the W&OD and the park/stadium or the opposite direction. Google is no help but I think I remember the VDOT map and/or the Va 511 map shows where it stops and restarts. I've been meaning to drive it to see, but have not managed to yet. It's supposed to be replaced by a new road which runs right next to the new stadium footprint and will be wide and paved (but still somehow have a ridiculously low speed limit). You'd think the county would steal some land to connect all those ball fields to the W&OD better. It's a dirt road that gets a lot of dumptruck traffic due to a quarry. You aren't gonna run into too much car traffic on it these days. Much to my chagrin.
Agreed, and that was my concern when I kept seeing all of the international signings. I'm sure it's a difficult balance to sign enough older USL level ready players, to keep the team competitive...while also leaving room for playing time for the academy prospects. But to me getting professional minutes for the top academy prospects is the most important reason to have Loudoun United. It makes no sense having a second team, if it's not being used to train and give a pathway to the first team for the academy kids
I just tried scouting it out today, approaching first from Bolen Park and then from the Sycolyn Road side. The connector road in the back of Bolen Park, Shreve Road is blocked by a gate (there was a dead end sign warning of such before), that is easily traversable by bicycle. Going down Cochran Mill from Sycolyn in my FIAT was exciting. I had to turn back where water had cut deep enough into the gravel where I couldn't cross. I didn't have time to scout the approach from Wegman's and Russel Branch Road (that will have to be another day).
LCU made ESPN’s Highly Questionable show as one of five soccer highlights. Unfortunately is was for a fire drill in the box that led to Nashville missing a sitter... Shame The Post didn’t cover the game in any meaningful way. Thx, Jay!
He looked okay. I've seen him play in DA. He is very much the real deal at that level. He looks very small out there, as many 16 year-olds would. Hopefully he'll fill out a bit in the next few years. But, in technical/speed/soccer IQ terms, he can play at the USL level, I think.
Late with this: There will be two local watch party locations in Loudoun County: one at the Official Pizza Partner location Paisano's Leesburg and the other at the Black Olive Bar & Grill at The National, courtesy of our Official Hospitality and Founding Partner, The National Conference Center. Join in on all the fun! Sure wish the Paisanos local to me would carry these games. Thx, Jay!
Griffin scored! Yow! First ever goal in Loudoun United history scored by #15 Griffon Yow!!! 🔥💪#SaddleUp #WeAreLoudoun pic.twitter.com/wPJCyCnV47— Loudoun United FC (@LoudounUnitedFC) March 17, 2019
1-0 at half👏👏👏Keep it up boys💪#SaddleUp #WeAreLoudoun pic.twitter.com/QrhkQvOvPD— Loudoun United FC (@LoudounUnitedFC) March 17, 2019
Oops! 78’ | @Memphis901FC goal by #18 Elliot Collier, 1-1#MEMvLDN #SaddleUp— Loudoun United FC (@LoudounUnitedFC) March 17, 2019
83’ | #13 Allexon Saravia in for #23 Sandor Bustamante #24 Collin Verfurth in for #15 Griffin Yow, 1-1#MEMvLDN #WeAreLoudoun— Loudoun United FC (@LoudounUnitedFC) March 17, 2019
FINAL | 1-1 #MEMvLDN #SaddleUp pic.twitter.com/MdzeBimgeN— Loudoun United FC (@LoudounUnitedFC) March 17, 2019
He's no Ty Shipalane 2009 (MLS) 0 App 0 Goals (CONCACAF) 1 App 0 Goals (unofficial: 1 wardrobe malfunction) 2010 (MLS) 0 App 0 Goals
#Loudoun County has broken ground for a new soccer stadium at Bolen Park in Leesburg, which will be home to the Loudoun United professional soccer team. Details here: https://t.co/kIiQYQRYoZ pic.twitter.com/EzjOjIy6pE— Loudoun Co. Govt. (@LoudounCoGovt) March 27, 2019 I would like to thank my local government for not using the dreaded football club moniker
The stadium map on the Loudoun United website shows a supporters group section. Does anyone know of any supporters groups?
From Theopisa on "Other Teams" - https://www.loudoununitedfc.com/news_article/show/1009454 Loudoun United at Audi Field
Not yet, though one person has told me they bought season tix and they are supporter-type people. Once I check in with them next week, I'll let you know if I hear of anything supporters-group related - please let us know if you learn anything as well (this goes for all y''all )