Upcoming 2024 Generation Adidas Cup

This 2024 edition of the Generation Adidas Cup will feature 80 teams divided into their respective U-15 and U-17 groups, with all MLS academies and a total of 49 teams from 15 countries participating. Once again, the tournament will be held at the IMG Academy facility in Bradenton, Florida.

U-15 Generation Adidas Cup Groups

One international team is yet to be announced and will be added to Group A, which features Nashville SC, Real Salt Lake, and FC Nordsjælland. Our spotlight group will be Group E, which features France academy Toulouse, New York Red Bulls, Seattle Sounders, and Houston Dynamo. The Red Bulls U-15 squad comes off a national championship-winning season, with standouts such as Alex Gomez, Paul Sokoloff, Toby Szewczyk, and Astin Mbaye, all of whom have represented the United States. The Seattle Sounders also include one of the top wingers in the 2009 age group, Omar Hassan, who has been electric this season.

U-17 Generation Adidas Cup Groups

"The 15th edition of the tournament, which will feature the largest global participation to date, will showcase the journey of the league's world-class players and their role in shaping the future of North American soccer," said MLS Executive Vice President Charles Altchek.

Now, the competition will introduce some changes from previous editions. The 40 teams will be divided into 10 groups of 4 teams each. Sixteen teams will advance to the championship phase, consisting of the 10 group winners and the 6 best second-placed teams. The subsequent rounds will be single-elimination matches.

The remaining 16 teams will enter a consolation bracket, while the bottom eight teams will compete in consolation brackets to provide more competitive matches. With this new format, all participating teams are guaranteed to play a total of seven games in the event.

Competition Rules:

• All teams participating for both U-15 and U-17 will play seven 60 minute matches, comprised of two 30 minute halves

• The championship matches will be extended to 70 minute matches

• Any match that ends in a draw will go directly into penalty shoot-outs

The United States Youth Team Returns to Action

The United States U-17 Youth National Team will convene for their first camp of the year in Palm Beach, Florida. This domestic camp will focus on players born in 2007 who aim to secure a spot on the next U-20 team, scheduled to participate in 2027.

This camp will feature some players new to the team, including goalkeeper Nico Arango-Montoya from FC Dallas, left-back Tristan Brown from the Columbus Crew academy, central defenders Jose Magaña from LA Galaxy and Chibuike Ukaegbu from Sacramento Republic, as well as midfielders Jacob Arroyave from NYCFC II and Darius Lane from Brighton Academy in England, all highly rated.

The roster in turn has 12 professional players from MLS, MLS Next Pro or USL Championship. They are, Chibuike Ukaegbu of Sacramento Republic (USL Championship), Harbor Miller of LA Galaxy (MLS), Drew Baiera of NYCFC (MLS), Snyder Brunell of Tacoma Defiance (MLS Next Pro), Leo Orejarena of North Texas (MLS Next Pro), Adyn Torres of Atlanta United (MLS), Jonathan Shore of NYCFC (MLS), Jacob Arroyave of NYCFC II (MLS Next Pro),Santi Morales of Inter Miami (MLS), Zavier Gozo of Real Salt Lake (MLS ), Ruben Ramos of LA Galaxy (MLS) and Caden Glover of St. Louis City SC (MLS).

Emir Ponciano and Aiden Hezarkhani, initially slated to join the team, will be replaced due to injuries. Nicholas Almeida, Santi Morales, and Daniel Pinter, all from Inter Miami, are expected to join the team as replacements.

Recruitment of Mexican-Americans Continues

Recruitment of Mexican Americans continues to be in the spotlight. It was announced last week that both Fidel Barajas and Cruz Medina were called up to the Mexican national U-20 camp. Fidel Barajas, who previously represented the United States U-17, temporarily switched to Mexico after participating in the qualifiers and the U-17 World Cup. Cruz Medina represented the United States in the qualifiers and the U-17 World Cup before joining the Mexican U-20 team to explore both opportunities.

Both Fidel Barajas and Cruz Medina will also attend the next United States U-20 camp scheduled for March 18 in Morocco.

The Mexican U-15 national team has called up four players based in the United States: Matthew Arana from the Houston Dynamo academy, Enrique Salazar from the LA Galaxy academy, and the San Diego Surf duo, Adriel Duarte and Ismael Cruz. All players were born in 2010 and will represent the Mexican U-15 team for the first time.