Adidas to Supply DC United’s Latest Affiliate

Major League Soccer team, D.C. United have added Arlington Soccer Association (ASA) as a new affiliate and tasked adidas to supply the team.

In addition to the player identification and development component of the affiliate agreement, Arlington Soccer will be outfitted with D.C. United and adidas-branded training gear, uniforms and coaching gear.

“The United States has some of the best athletic talent in the world, and it’s our goal to provide homegrown athletes with opportunities to play elite soccer,” said Ernesto Bruce, Director of Soccer for adidas America. “With our recent extension of the Major League Soccer contract, we have put the importance of youth development at a premium, and are excited about helping create Youth Club Alliances with local MLS clubs. This partnership between Arlington Soccer Association, D.C. United and adidas will prove to be a great step in developing the next generation of American soccer icons.”

Under the affiliation agreement, Arlington Soccer will serve as a source for D.C. United in identifying and developing the top youth talent in the region. United will share its coaching resources and will work with Arlington Soccer to follow its training curriculum and system of play.  

“The Arlington Soccer Association is excited about this new arrangement with D.C. United and United’s Academy Program,” said ASA’s Director of Travel Coaching German Peri. “This presents a fabulous opportunity for ASA and D.C. United to share resources to achieve mutual goals of developing the best quality players and coaches in our area. The affiliation allows ASA access to D.C. United’s professional coaching curriculum and methodologies, and it bolsters ASA’s relationship with the local professional team. In turn, D.C. United will also benefit from ASA’s talented player pool and developmental program. The partnership is a mutually beneficial arrangement that will make both programs better moving forward.”

“Adding ASA as the sixth youth soccer partner of the D.C. UnitedAcademy marks another positive step in the development of strategically integrated business initiatives,” said D.C. United Chief Marketing Officer Doug Hicks. “With such a wide reach to the talent pool in the region, the affiliation with ASA will greatly enhance the club’s overarching goals, specifically in regards to youth development.”