Carmel United take U18 Development Academy Title

Carmel United of Indiana won the 2009 U18 Development Academy championship with a 1-0 victory over DC United at the Home Depot Center in California.   Carmel United came out and dominated possession from the start keeping the talented DC United players from getting on the ball in the first half.  The goal would come midway through the half when Nikita Kotlov stole a ball in the left corner and cruised into the DC United penalty area.  The centerback for DC had to stay with the runner in front and Kotlov calmly found the back side netting for an expert finish.

DC United regrouped at halftime and came out putting Carmel United under some early pressure to start the second half of play, but it was Nikita Kotlov, Harrison Petts and AJ Carrado who continued to be the best players on the pitch.  DC United star striker Christopher Hegngi just was never able to get into the match at all as the Carmel defense did well.

As DC United threw more players forward to try to find the equalizer the game really opened up.  DC had a pair of penalty kick arguments denied by the referee.  The second of which was a fairly obvious takedown of Michael Burgos in the box by keeper Jon Dawson.

The best chance from the run of play for DC United came with less than 10 minutes remaining when Andy Najar took a long ball off his chest and turned hitting a rifle full volley on net.  Carmel United keeper Jon Dawson dove to his right getting just enough of the ball to push it off the post and keep the shutout.

For Carmel United it was their second title in a row as they won the U16 championship last year.