MLS announced the details of this year's GA Cup. U-15 & U-17 will each have 40 teams, divided into 10 groups of 4 for the qualifying round. U-15 schedule here and standings here U-17 schedule here and standings here Along with all 29 MLS teams, the following international teams will participate in the U-15 division: U-15 Division international participants Arsenal FC (England) Chelsea FC (England) Club América (Mexico) Club Bolivar (Bolivia) KRC Genk (Belgium) CF Monterrey (Mexico) FC Nordsjælland (Denmark) Pumas UNAM (Mexico) Real Madrid CF (Spain) Toulouse FC (France) Valencia CF (Spain) ...and along with all 29 MLS teams (plus Striker FC's team), the following international teams will participate in the U-17 division: U-17 Division international participants Atlas (Mexico) Boca Juniors (Argentina) Club América (Mexico) Club León (Mexico) Flamengo (Brazil) Manchester United FC (England) Palmeiras (Brazil) Pumas UNAM (Mexico) Remo Stars FC (Nigeria) River Plate (Argentina) How to watch: MLS Season Pass will showcase 28 Generation adidas Cup games, including championship matches in both divisions. Additional Generation adidas Cup broadcast details, including the schedule of games featured, will be announced in advance of the tournament. Source: https://www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext/n...-to-feature-record-49-clubs-from-12-countries
Here's some more really good details, taken from the Footy Access | Insider newsletter: THINGS TO KNOW LOCATION: The Generations Adidas Cup will take place at IMG Academy for the first time - 5650 Bollettieri Blvd. Bradenton, FL 34210 MATCH DATES: April 1 | April 2 | April 3 | April 5 | April 6 | April 8 | April 9 REST DATES: April 4 | April 7 U-15 AGE GROUP Kickoff Times (Eastern Time) 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM | 11:30 AM | 12:00 PM First Potential Match: 9:00 AM - April 1st Last Potential Match: 12:00 PM - April 9th U-17 AGE GROUP Kickoff Times (Eastern Time) 2:00 PM | 2:30 PM | 4:30 PM | 5:00 PM First Potential Match: 2:00 PM - April 1st Last Potential Match: 5:00 PM - April 9th COMPETITION RULES Format Seven (7) matches in nine (9) days Three (3) group stage matches Up to four (4) Knockout rounds Teams eliminated from Knockout Rounds will play Showcase matches Matches Group Stage, Knockout Stages and Showcase 2×30 minute halves 10 minute halftime If at the end of regulation the match is a draw, kicks from the mark (PK’s) will be held to determine a winner Final Match 2 × 35 minute halves 10 minute halftime If at the end of regulation the match is a draw, 2 × 5 minute extra time periods will be played If the match remains a draw after 2 × 5 minute extra time periods, PK’s will be held to determine a winner GROUP STAGE Three (3) points for a win Two (2) points for a draw and win in PK’s One (1) point for a draw and loss in PK’s Knockout Rounds Sixteen (16) team single elimination bracket The ten (10) group winners and top (6) second place finishes qualify for the Knockout Rounds All teams who qualify will be re-seeded for the Knockout Rounds based on the tiebreakers below Tiebreakers Points Highest number of wins in regulation Goal difference Goals Against Head to head Fewest disciplinary points Coin Flip SHOWCASE Any team that does not advance to the knockout rounds or is eliminated from the knockout bracket will play up to four (4) additional showcase matches
Stars of tomorrow are rising today 🌟Who are you looking to see ball out at Generation adidas Cup?@DrinkBODYARMOR | #GACup pic.twitter.com/eEsrRtdsFV— MLS NEXT (@MLSNEXT) March 28, 2023 A few players here on MLS deals. I know NYCFC will be sending Carrizo and new signing Shore.
I always love these because I always see new players that I've never heard of but their respective sporting directors clearly think are really good. Anyone have any scouting reports on Gordon, Wetzel and Shour? None of whom I've seen mentioned. But heck, I've only heard the name of Glover, Terry, and Hall. And a bit on Rivera.
I could tell you that from my opinion, Ashton Gordon ('07) is a good prospect, he is a RW who recently played with Jamaica U17. Fast player, he can score a good number of goals and with good dribbling. He lacks size, it's a problem, but he's young. Gavin Wetzel ('06) is a little center back converted right back. He is average in all aspects, I do not see potential at the moment. Mo Shour ('07) make nice saves but he is not consistent.
This list is just a bunch of names: Of what I've seen Berchimas is a big time prospect, Glover is really good, Jura was the U17 LB starter who looks like he's a J.Nelson or J. Tolkin type..I think he's quite average myself. Philly post alot of youth games so have seen Wetzel alot..he's quite average in all aspects. Thick legged 5-10 type left footed LB/CB and just doesn't do anything impressively. Haven't seen Terry nor Hall but heard good things. Rivera is good but CB's are very hard to project because physical development and reading of the game are tough to predict. I like Habroune's game, very skillful but again physical development and lack of quickness may be his undoing.
some nice results so far. U15s Columbus 7-0 over Club America Sounders 3-0 over Arsenal. Starting off strong 😤Highlights from our U-15 win over Arsenal FC! 👇 pic.twitter.com/SlFs3laNeY— Sounders FC Academy (@SoundersAcademy) April 1, 2023 U17s LAFC 6-0 over Club America not a fan of blowouts the other way. Minnesota United u15s lost 0-4 to FC Nord FC Nordsjælland
LAFC in both u15 and u17 overall looked the strongest in their respective age groups by a pretty good margin. New York Red Bulls 15’s were a noticeable standout as well, that 08 team is serious, Philly’s is another standout group for 08’s. Outside of LAFC there really isn’t another group I’d feel that strong about, but that LA team looked to be on another level Happy for my Columbus boys having built the team but Club America were a major letdown. Columbus is a good team, I’d put them in the second tier at that age group level where they could easily make a run, but definitely not a favorite. Austin Su’s the top prospect on that team by far which really hurts them.
Do some of these teams simply not bring their A team? It's tough to get a handle on such lopsided scores.
It was a very 09 heavy club america roster so there was either visa issues or maybe there’s another event their top team is at. Either way, you play the team in front of you and Columbus handled their business respectably
NYCFC U17s have beaten both Atlanta United and Pumas 1-0. Both goals I have heard came from Jonathan Shore, most recently with the U15 YNTs. I haven’t verified it myself though. The NYCFC team is good, especially in midfield, but from my vantage point doesn’t have a next level forward or winger. It was Dino Klapija until he moved to Europe last month.
on the u15 side- LAFC go out in the group stage.. Union have a very difficult road to the final. My money is on Red Bulls to take it all.. or to be the last MLS team standing. Bracket: https://www.instagram.com/p/CqoCuvbO8Kz/
the u15 Union v Arsenal game is being streamed tomorrow- so I'll have to order Apple/MLS for a month- was hoping to avoid that.
Red Bulls’ 15 and Crew 17 ranked highest domestic teams after first round. GA Cup Top 5 : Power Rankings. U-15 @QuakesAcademy ranked 4th. Future is bright 💪⚽️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/N4fKr52KlH— BRUNO COSTA (@BrunoCosta1111) April 4, 2023
Cavan Sullivan watch Philly U15s play Arsenal on MLS Season Pass tomorrow AM in the round of 16 at 10AM ET. I recommend tuning in if you can. You'll likely get to see one of the most talented teams in MLS Next and one of the most promising prospects in Cavan Sullivan.— Marcus Chairez (@chai_asc) April 4, 2023
As soon as I tuned in Philly gets their 4th. If that's the quality of Arse's U15 goalkeeping I'd imagine nearly any competent U-15 keeper with a UK/Euro passport in an MLS Academy should be shipping them their You Tube compilation now.
This again sort of raises the question as to whether this is the A team for the Arsenal U15s. Because otherwise they just aren't very good or some of these MLS youth teams are much better than we think.