How local soccer phenom Ethan Pendleton got his start in the world’s most beautiful game and where he’s going from here
By Charles Cleveland
October 13th, 2023
Ethen Pendleton, training with current club, Loudoun United FC.
In 2016, 9 year old Ethan Pendelton asked his parents to sign him up for the DC Stoddart recreational soccer league so he could play with his friends on weekends. 7 years after that simple request, Ethan is playing soccer for Loudoun United FC, a professional team based out of Loudoun County Virginia, as an amateur player.
After playing in middle school, moving through the travel leagues of the DMV area, and then into the DC United Academy, Ethan has become one of the top youth soccer players in the country. With serious aspirations to play in American Major League Soccer, English Premier League, and UEFA Champions League, his grade school dreams aren’t so out of reach anymore.
Most great soccer players start when they are still learning to walk, but Pendelton admits that his introduction to the sport was later than average. Starting recreational soccer in 4th grade, some may rightfully think that his late start acted as a hindrance, but Pendleton disagrees. “When I joined the time that I did, I didn’t think that a lot of guys were playing more than I did…Maybe the love for the game that could have started early for me could have been helpful, but I honestly don’t think so.”
But 2 years later, Pendelton’s competitive nature took him further than just weekend games. “I saw that people were not taking it very seriously, and as a competitive guy, I knew that I wanted to take it to the next level.” He progressed quickly. “After that year I moved into travel soccer while playing DC Stoddert as well.” This competitive spirit took him into the DC United Academy. His Academy teammates have been playing and growing together since the 7th grade, and Ethan thinks of the team there as family. “We are all brothers, we all know each other and love each other, we all work hard for each other. I’m super close with them.” But with new responsibilities to DC United, School athletics changed drastically.
At the Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland, Pendleton played one season of high school soccer in his two years enrolled there, but was not able to play a second year due to his obligations to the DC United Academy. “That school spirit and that school comradery that comes and supports you is unlike anything that I’ve been a part of… Even people that don’t play soccer are there to support you, and it really gives us something to play for.” Even though Pendleton no longer attends Landon, he is still very involved with his friends from the school and school social events.
After Pendleton’s sophomore year, he had the chance to do something that most people can only dream about– sign a contract with a professional team. This past summer, Pendleton signed an amateur contract with Loudoun United FC, a professional soccer club and affiliate of DC United based out of Loudoun County, Maryland. “They really take care of me, watch over me, make sure I’m doing the right thing” And while Loudoun is a professional club, Pendleton is on an amateur contract to keep his NCAA eligibility. “I’m definitely running parallel paths. Obviously my goal is to be a professional, but I know how important education is, and that’s probably the most important thing in life.”
Looking into the future for Pendleton, college is the most likely next step. “I’m super interested in taking the college route, whether it’s playing one year or four years remains to be seen.” The main reason Pendleton has opted not to get paid by Loudoun is because of the NCAA requirements around a payment and how it affects NCAA eligibility. For Pendleton, continuing the pursuit of education is a top priority. Pendleton has already talked to a number of colleges, and is maintaining a high grade point average, so it seems like the largest question is not “if” he plays at a higher level but “where?”