Washington Adventist University Soccer Stars Shine Bright: Selected for DC United Under-23 Squad

TAKOMA PARK, MD – The regular season has drawn to a close, but the soccer team of Washington Adventist University shows no signs of slowing down. Following their historic achievement as the first team to ever reach the Conference Tournament, Danny Carroll’s squad wasted no time, hitting the training ground once again in February. The spring season brought new faces to the team and laid the groundwork for yet another remarkable feat. Two standout players, Sam Leijen and Joao Campana, have been selected to represent the under-23 squad of DC United.

The DC United under 23’s program aims to create a professional pathway for players in the DMV area and beyond. Among their objectives is the effort to develop players for DC United and Loudoun United (USL). The program foresees a high-level game schedule featured with 3-4 sessions per week of training, going from May to July. The organization is committed to enhancing player development and providing match analysis and individual opportunities within the DC United setup. The facilities at Long Park, Haymarket, VA, and Segra Field, Loudoun, VA, including 3 turf Fields, 2 Changing Rooms Meeting Rooms, and Club House, will host the whole process.

Joao Campana, the Brazilian captain of the WAU Shocks team, expressed his excitement and expectations for this opportunity, stating, “It’s a chance to enhance my soccer skills and personal growth. While securing a pro contract is my ultimate goal, I believe the experience itself will be immensely gratifying. The opportunity is ripe with scouts from DC United in attendance at every game. The biggest challenge will likely be proving myself in every practice, in a new environment, and with unfamiliar players. However, I am confident that my past experiences will serve me well.”

On the other hand, Sam Leijen,who arrived from the Netherlands just two months ago, has made an immediate impact, leaving a lasting impression on everyone. “I received a warm welcome from both the coach and teammates, which was crucial in my transition here. I am pleasantly surprised by the swift integration, and I am honored by the trust placed in me. Coming from a professional background in my home country, I aim to play professionally, and this opportunity marks a promising start. While I may be a bit nervous adapting to the American style of soccer, my excitement outweighs any apprehensions, and I am determined to give my best effort,” remarked Leijen.

Coach Carroll was the first to recognize the talent of these two players and recommend them for the try-out. “This is a massive step in the right direction for what we aim to accomplish here at WAU Men’s Soccer. It is important to emphasize that the boys are always students before they are athletes and both of these guys are tremendous demonstrations of what it means to be a student-athlete, working hard in the classroom and on the field. My goal from day one has been to establish WAU as a competitor on the national stage. We worked extremely hard as a program last year to earn our university recognition, so it is no surprise to me that our collective team effort is reaping recognition from scouts around the country in search of our individual quality talent here at WAU Men’s Soccer”, commented coach Carroll.

“The boys have an excellent opportunity to showcase themselves in efforts to earn a professional contract after college. My personal opinion is that these opportunities don’t come around often. They now have the chance to play in front of DC United scouts each week this summer, something any aspiring professional soccer player would be ecstatic about. I am delighted for our players to be representing themselves, our team, and our school in a professional environment and I have full faith that their character paired with their performances will reap what they sow”, concluded the Head Coach.