It's about time to start thinking about the 2012 GenAd Cup. On the MLS youth forum this schedule was posted from the MLS pressbox: http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/sites...ion adidas Cup - Game Training Schedules.pdf Group A - U17 Houston Dynamo Chicago Fire San Jose Earthquakes Red Bull New York Group B - U17 FC Dallas DC United Los Angeles Galaxy Toronto FC Group C - U17 Seattle Sounders FC Philadelphia Union Real Salt Lake Group D - U17 Columbus Crew Colorado Rapids Chivas USA Group A - U15 San Jose Earthquakes Seattle Sounders FC FC Dallas Toronto FC Group B - U15 Chicago Fire Colorado Rapids Philadelphia Union Los Angeles Galaxy Group C - U15 Houston Dynamo Chivas USA Seattle II Real Salt Lake Tournament seems to start on August 3rd. I'm not sure where this is, though. On the second page they list one of the venue as Starfire..............so I think that's up in Seattle. Also, no Caps or Revolution?
We have to remember this isn't a DA event..............it's an MLS event. And take note that the teams are U17 and U15. One can consider these the first matches with next year's U18 and U16 academy teams. It's a try-out for many players that are hoping to be part of those squads next season. In FCD's case, many of the kids taking part in this weeks academy finals are too old for this event. They've "aged out." [kids like Danny Garcia, Jonathan Top, Mikey Ambrose, etc.] This is the next crop. Last year all sorts of players that weren't on DA rosters were invited as "guest players" for this tournament. I remember Alfred Koroma and one other Bradenton kid (Mion) playing for FCD last season. I believe they brought some kids up from their El Paso affiliate to take part (Aaron Guillen?)
Shhh ... if you tell the DA that, they won't let the kids play in it. Regardless of the age cutoff or a few notable exceptions, an awful lot of these same kids are busy Sep-June with the DA. Why play your most intense tournament of the year at a time when you're supposed to be in your off-season or early pre-season?
The DA has nothing to do with it. Let'em say what they want. Because its not one of the most intense tournaments of the year.
But if it's not going to be a major tournament, why bother flying kids all across the country for a week? People complain about our lack of resources, and then we throw piles of money around for what you're describing as an overblown youth team tryout. Also, based on the level of talent there, this certainly ought to be one of the most intense competitions of the year. Quite a few of these teams are good enough to steamroll most of their DA opponents.
Travel expenses could be the reason there are only 12 U15 teams. If you take out Seattle's two teams, as they're the hosts..............there are only 10 travelling U15 squads. Note that many of the Eastern teams with the longest distance to travel (DCU, RBNY, Revs, KC, etc.) aren't there with U15s. Obviously, not a competition that MLS clubs felt obligated to attend. Even Portland and Vancouver that are the closest to the Starfire complex. Simply a nice little tournament for some clubs to evaluate talent.
Supposedly this tournaments starts today........although I've heard next to nothing about it. I believe the most interesting match today is FCD versus DCU in the U17 division.
NO, but supposedly a guy will be tweeting from there. http://twitter.com/adidasitp Don't know what time the games are today though.
I believe that "guy" is three posts above yours U17s Earthquakes win 3-2 over the Red Bulls. Rapids lose to Union 1-0. U15s Chivas tie Houston 1-1, but lose in PKs. Earthquakes beat Seattle 1-0. RSL beat Sounders II 3-0. Galaxy beat Union 2-0. FC Dallas win in PKs vs Toronto after they tied 1-1. There are a bunch of fluff pieces from clubs about their teams going to the tournament, but no rosters.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/2012-generation-adidas-cup In the first match of the day, Chicago U15s beat Philly 3-1.
Has anyone been able to secure rosters for this tournament? Also, any clue as to why the Timbers did not enter this year? Surely their Academy teams for the fall must be setup by now.
This tournament has gotten a lot more pub in the past. It's shocking how little we've seen. FCD, who release as much publicity regarding their youth teams as anybody..............haven't had a story on their website about the tournament. I have no idea what their roster is.
Portland just finished call-backs on Thursday, so, unfortunately, the team isn't setup yet. U15s Toronto 3-0 Seattle U17s Toronto 2-1 Dallas Crew 3-1 RSL
Since this tournament has historically required a mix age groups, it doesn't surprise me that RSL U17s are struggling in their first two games. They gave their 96s almost no minutes last season. In complete contrast Chivas gave a lot of minutes to their 96s and played many of their 95s in U18 games.
TFC drawed FCDallas at u15 and beat them at u17. Too bad their academy isn't in USSDA. They'd contend for titles.
After two matchdays, the California teams (SJ, LA, Chivas) have a total of 9 wins, 2 ties, and one loss.
I wish we had a clue what rosters these clubs brought. I have no idea what to make of these results. There has yet to be a story about this tourney on FCD's website. There aren't even stories on the fan-driven websites like Big D soccer. I can't really comment on the quality of TFC's victory over FCD if I don't know who FCD brought. If they brought their best possible U17's (Acosta and company) it's a nice win for TFC. Last year FCD had a bunch of guest players, trialists, invited players from affiliates, etc. on their GenAd Cup roster. If they did the same this season, then I'm not sure what the result means. Other than to say...........the kids are wearing FCD jerseys, but it's not really an FCD team that has any experience playing together. That's my gut feeling. I suspect all players involved in the DA run thru the playoffs and finals aren't there (like Acosta, Edet, etc.)