The D.C. United Academy is a program for young soccer players that is run by D.C. United, a pro soccer team that plays in Major League Soccer. The "Academy" trains these young soccer players to possibly one day play soccer either in a pro league or in college.
D.C. United's Academy has several different levels, including, a U-23 team, a U-18 team, a U-16 team and then "Pre-Academy" teams. Pre-Academy teams are for players who are not yet part of the Academy on a normal schedule.
The teams compete in the United States Soccer Federations' Development Academy league.