Reviewing Virginia Beach City FC's Transformational 2018 Season, Part II - Youth
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Jan. 29, 2019) — While Virginia Beach City FC’s professional soccer program continues to form, VB City FC’s youth academy took big strides in 2018. Whether it was DC United’s constant presence at Virginia Beach City FC academy practices or multiple players getting called up to MLS academies, 2018 was a dynamic year for VB City FC’s youth program.
Here are the highlights of VB City FC’s youth academy for the last year.
DC United’s partnership strengthens VB City FC’s youth academy
One of the key facets of Virginia Beach City FC’s strategic partnership with DC United was VB City FC hosting DC United Talent Centers in the 757. These events allowed the top youth soccer players in the region to be coached and scouted by DC United staff.
DC United also provided coaching and training to VB City staff, which better prepared VB City FC’s youth academy staff to train regional players. VB City FC head coach Brian Hinkey also became DC United’s Head Scout of the Hampton Roads Area, furthering the connection between the two clubs. The agreement, announced in February 2018, bolstered Virginia Beach City FC’s commitment to not only sporting the most competitive soccer team in Virginia, but also to developing the region’s top players.
Barrios and Jones join DC United for International Champions Cup Futures
In June 2018, VB City FC youth players Julian Barrios and Samuel Jones were called up to DC United’s youth academy team for the inaugural International Champions Cup Futures at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando, Fla. The ICC Futures tournament features 24 teams from the United States and Europe, including U-14 teams from Tottenham Hotspurs, Arsenal, FC Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, Celtic FC and Atletico Madrid.
The tournament spanned seven days, culminating in the final between Chelsea and FC Bayern. Barrios and Jones received invaluable experience in this global gathering. The world’s best U-14 players were in that event, and Barrios and Jones were among them.
Barrios and Jones participate in the International U-14 tournament
July only brought more opportunities for Barrios and Jones. The two stayed with DC United’s academy team and played in the U-14 International tournament hosted by the Montreal Impact. The eight-team tournament featured teams from three different countries, and it was yet another opportunity for the Virginia Beach City FC players to gain international experience at the highest level.
Jones joins Philadelphia Union’s youth academy
Jones took the next step of his development in September, joining the Philadelphia Union’s youth academy in Philadelphia, Pa. Jones’ days center around soccer, as he participates in their US Soccer Development Academy. Jones lives with a host family, trains with the team in the morning and evenings, and works on his education in between.
Virginia Beach City FC hosts first-ever Trident Cup
On December 1 and 2, VB City FC hosted the inaugural Trident Cup, a local event designed to further soccer’s growth in the region and to provide tested competition for VB City FC’s academy teams. Teams across the Commonwealth participated, including Beach FC, Richmond Strikers and Fredericksburg SC.
The 60-team event resulted in six titles for Virginia Beach City FC academy teams, including the ‘06 Boys, ‘05 Girls, ‘04 Boys, ‘02 Boys, ‘03 Boys and ‘00 Girls.
To stay up to date on the latest news and updates for Virginia Beach City FC, please follow @vbcityfc on Twitter, @vbcityfc on Instagram, and @vbcityfc on Facebook.