D.C. United teens, with a combined age of 50, are coming into their own

for The Washington Post

For the final 11 minutes Saturday, on an otherwise calamitous night for D.C. United, three teenagers who rose through the academy ranks and signed homegrown contracts before they received driver’s licenses were together in an MLS regular season match for the first time.

Kevin Paredes, 17, played the entirety of the 4-1 defeat at Philadelphia. Griffin Yow, 17, entered at the start of the second half, and Moses Nyeman, 16, made his pro debut in the 79th minute.

“It’s an exciting little trio,” Coach Ben Olsen said. “They are competing with themselves. You can tell they are really good friends. To watch them support each other as they go through this little journey but also compete and raise their levels to get on the field is a lot of fun to watch.”