Related Links

Preview: Nor'easters welcome D.C. United U-23s to Beach House for Friday night friendly

Ocean City meets D.C. United for the third year in a row as Nor'easters prepare for Sunday's massive season finale

Preview: Nor'easters welcome D.C. United U-23s to Beach House for Friday night friendly

For the third year in a row, the Ocean City Nor'easters will welcome the D.C. United Under-23s for an exhibition game at Carey Stadium.

The two teams will square off on Friday, July 13, two days before the Nor'easters are scheduled to host a high-stakes Premier Development League (PDL) season finale against the New York Red Bulls Under-23s at the Beach House. Kickoff for the match is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Tickets are available at the Carey Stadium box office for $10. Click here for more information about group ticket packages, birthday parties and how soccer coaches can get in free.

With Sunday's must-win season finale looming, and more substitutions at their disposal, the Nor'easters are expected to field a variety of talented players.

The independent Under-23 development squad of the United will bring a Under-23 team to take on the Nor'easters' Under-23s for a 3:30 p.m. kick with the main event taking place at 7 p.m.

The D.C. United Under-23s are an independent club that does not compete in any national, regional, or local leagues. They are not part of a league so that they have the freedom to make their own schedule without roster management restrictions and give their players the opportunity to play against a wide range of talented clubs during the summer.

"We typically keep a larger roster to evaluate and work with as many players as possible as we scout for USL, MLS and other opportunities with our club," said D.C. United U-23s head coach Nate Kish. "We also want to provide a pathway for players that used to play in our academy, and our staff continues to log hours for players that could potentially sign homegrown contracts."

Some of the team's recent results include games against professional and amateur teams. They defeated Penn FC (USL) 6-1 and edged FC Baltimore (NPSL), 1-0. They also have earned draws against the Richmond Kickers (USL), the New England Revolution U-23s, and against the Nor'easters' division rivals New York Red Bulls U-23s (PDL).

The Nor'easters first met the D.C. United Under-23s in a preseason friendly on May 21, 2016 with the Storm picking up a 3-0 win. Chevy Walsh, Tim Ogunniyi and Nathan Regis all scored for Ocean City. Walsh would use that performance to springboard his league performance that year, winning the 2016 PDL MVP award.

Last year, the two teams would meet again in a friendly that took place after the regular season concluded on July 15, 2017. The Nor'easters looked like they were ready to win a second straight game over D.C. as they held a 3-1 lead late in the game with a pair of goals by Ismael Noumansana and another by Francisco Neto. However, United would stun the home crowd at the Beach House with a goal in the 84th minute and then an equalizer in second half stoppage time.

The senior team of D.C. United are one of the most decorated American teams of the last two decades. United have won 12 U.S. Soccer Majors, including four MLS Cups, three Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups wins, four MLS Supporters' Shields, and the 1998 CONCACAF Champions Cup title.

Ocean City and the senior team of D.C. United have faced off before in a competitive match during the 2009 U.S. Open Cup. That year, the Nor'easters -- then named the Ocean City Barons -- lost a close 2-0 decision to United at the Maryland Soccerplex.

MORE: D.C. United Under-23 roster

Store Banner

Store Banner