CHRIS DURKIN
Ambassador
Chris Durkin is a professional soccer player for D.C. United. He signed when he was 16 years old and has been involved within the club since he was 12. He has a strong passion for helping those within the community and inspiring kids with the platform he has.
2018 (D.C. United): In 2018, the Homegrown midfielder emerged as a young player-to-watch in Major League Soccer. At just 18-years-old, Durkin made his MLS debut as a 73rd-minute substitute in the 1-1 draw against Orlando on March 3. He made his full professional debut in his fourth appearance when he played 90 minutes in the 3-1 loss against Columbus. Outside of Vancouver’s Alphonso Davies, Durkin was the youngest player in MLS to make over 20 regular season appearances. Durkin recorded his first career assist for the Black-and-Red against Real Salt Lake on May 12. He also set career-highs in shots (7), starts (16), and minutes played (1,503) in his rookie season. Durkin was also ranked No. 14 in MLS' 22 under 22 list for 2018
2017 (D.C. United / Richmond Kickers): United’s eighth Homegrown Signing appeared in his second career Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match for the Black-and-Red, starting against Christos FC on June 13. The teenager registered 57 minutes and 57 total touches, while completing 88.5% of his passes. The midfielder made 11 starts for United’s USL affiliates the Richmond Kickers and was an efficient two-way player, accounting for 17 interceptions and 4 shots on target in 990 minutes.
2016 (D.C. United / Richmond Kickers): The 16-year-old defender and midfielder from Glen Allen, Virginia, became the eighth homegrown player in D.C. United history and the fifth-youngest homegrown signing in the history of the league (16 years, 127 days). United’s eighth Homegrown Player made his debut for the Black-and-Red on 6/15 in United’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. The midfielder, who can also play in defense, played in three matches for United’s USL affiliate, the Richmond Kickers, starting twice.
Durkin started for the Under-17 U.S. Men’s National Team in all five of their matches at the at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, playing all 450 minutes. Durkin scored his first U-17 World Cup goal against hosts India in the American’s first match, earning him Man of the Match honors. The Glen Allen native’s consistent play helped the U.S. win their first knockout round game at the tournament since 1999, defeating Paraguay 5-0 in the Round of 16.