Reston's Dainkeh Helps US U-18 Team in Europe

a South Lakes High School senior and D.C. United U-18 Academy product, helped boost the U-18 national men's soccer team to a 3-0-1 record during an 11-day European Traning Camp.

Dainkeh was named to a 20-player roster that traveled to the Netherlands and competed in four international friendlies under head coach Javier Perez. The first two contests were against the Feyenoord Academy and the Netherlands National Team. Dainkeh entered as a substitute at half time and played the remaining 45 minutes of each match. 

Following a 4-2 victory over the Netherlands, Dainkeh started and played all 90 minutes in the final two matches against Borussia Dortmund and Club Brugge.

“Suli was excellent during the camp,” said U-18 U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Javier Perez. “One of the main reasons we like Suli is because of his versatility. He can play centerback or outside back and we wanted to test him against some of the best wingers in the world at outside back. He did very well. His physical strength and capacity to deal with fast wingers is a very strong point for Suli."

Dainkeh has been a member of the D.C. United Academy system for two years, having started with the U-15/16 team in 2010.  During the 2011-2012 season, Dainkeh made 27 starts for the U-15/16 team and was named to the East Conference’s U-15/U16 Academy Best XI team while competing with the U-18 squad throughout the year. 

He has committed to play at University of Maryland next year.