Washington, D.C. – The
University of the District of Columbia men’s soccer team
hosted its second annual Youth Day event on Saturday, September
15th before its East Coast Conference clash with LIU Post. Over 30
of the area’s youth soccer players came to UDC Soccer Field
to participate in the event, and several served as ball runners
during the Firebirds’ afternoon game.
Second-year head coach Matt Thompson and his assistant Danny
Wadeson welcomed the participants and introduced them to the
Firebirds team. From 12:30-1:30 p.m., the coaching staff and
players hosted a skills clinic which focused on passing, receiving,
possession, shooting, and short sided games. The Firebirds players
worked with small groups to teach the young, eager players the
sport’s fundamentals.
Following the skill session, there was an open forum for the youth
players and the Firebird team members to socialize. The Firebirds
signed autographs and posed for pictures with the youth players as
did the Firebird mascot.
Many of the event participants stayed to take in the
Firebirds’ ECC slate with No. 17 ranked LIU Post, including
several who served as ball runners on both sidelines.
“The Youth Day event was a huge success. The feedback I got
was that the kids thoroughly enjoyed the entire day,”
Thompson said. “We really benefitted from having them there
cheering us on during the game as well. They really rallied behind
us as we battled a man down, and that was a really great thing to
see.”
Provided by the University of the District of Columbia Sports Information Department.
