Major League Soccer and MLS NEXT today announced details for the 2023 Generation adidas Cup, a premier global youth tournament featuring all MLS academies and renowned international clubs.
A record 49 different clubs from 12 countries and four continents will compete in U-17 and U-15 tournament play at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida from April 1-9. Eighty teams total will participate, and all 29 MLS clubs will have academy representation in both the U-17 and U-15 divisions.
In 2022, MLS teams won both the U-17 (Seattle Sounders FC) and U-15 (Portland Timbers) divisions for the first time in the competition’s 14-year history.
“Generation adidas Cup brings together an elite group of world-class youth talent from around the globe and provides an exceptionally competitive environment for participating MLS NEXT clubs,” said MLS Vice President of Player Youth and Development Fred Lipka. “Top-tier international competition is an important catalyst in the development of talent and the 80 participating teams will provide an incredible opportunity for all involved.”
How to watch
MLS Season Pass will showcase 28 Generation adidas Cup games, including championship matches in both divisions. These games will be available in more than 100 countries and regions as part of the unprecedented subscription service from Apple and Major League Soccer on the Apple TV app.
Additional Generation adidas Cup broadcast details, including the schedule of games featured, will be announced in advance of the tournament.
International, Liga MX representation
For the first time in the 14-year history of the Generation adidas Cup, 19 prestigious international clubs will participate across the U-17 and U-15 divisions. That group includes Arsenal FC (England), Boca Juniors (Argentina), Chelsea FC (England), Club América (Mexico), Manchester United FC (England), Palmeiras (Brazil), Real Madrid (Spain) and Remo Stars FC (Nigeria).
Before the inaugural Leagues Cup 2023 begins on July 21, MLS and Liga MX will compete against one another in the 2023 Generation adidas cup. Five different Liga MX clubs will take part in the competition, featuring Atlas (U-17), Club América (U-15 and U-17), Club León (U-17), CF Monterrey (U-15) and Pumas UNAM (U-15 and U-17).
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)
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)
Competition format
- 40 teams, divided into 10 groups of four, will compete in each of the two age divisions.
- MLS club seeding was determined by Generation adidas Cup Qualifiers at MLS NEXT Fest in December 2022.
- Each team will play three group matches to determine qualification for the knockout round.
- 16 teams will qualify for the winner’s side of the draw with winning teams advancing to play in a bracket-style elimination format.
- MLS NEXT club Strikers FC (Irvine, Calif.) will also participate in the U-17 division.
- All teams competing in Generation adidas Cup are guaranteed to play seven 60-minute matches, comprised of two 30-minute halves.
Awards
After the tournament, awards will be presented in both age groups to the Generation adidas Cup Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer, as well as the Generation adidas Cup Best Goalkeeper presented by Allstate.
The Generation adidas Cup Rising XI presented by BODYARMOR will highlight the top-performing MLS academy players from each position at the competition.
MLS NEXT Match Evaluator Program
At the 2023 Generation adidas Cup, MLS NEXT is collaborating with U.S. Soccer to lead a specialized Talent ID and Scouting pilot course which will be made available through the MLS NEXT Match Evaluator Program. Upon successful completion of this pilot course, MLS NEXT Match Evaluators will be issued a Level 2 US Soccer Talent Scout License.
Launched in the summer of 2023, the MLS NEXT Match Evaluator Program has hosted former and current professional players who are interested in learning more about scouting and player analysis in the MLS NEXT landscape. Match Evaluators take part in education programming and are given scouting assignments at various MLS NEXT events.
Coaching education opportunities at Generation adidas Cup
Major League Soccer, in conjunction with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Coaching Education Department, will deliver two in-person coaching education opportunities at Generation adidas Cup. The MLS Coaching Education Development Pathway, led by U.S. Soccer Director of Coaching Education Didier Chambaron, will help to further educate nearly 60 MLS academy coaches who have the intention of becoming USSF coaching license educators in the future.
MLS will also provide additional development opportunities to coaches in the MLS NEXT community through Continuing Professional Development (C.P.D). These educational sessions will be led by MLS Vice President of Player Development Fred Lipka, MLS Player Development consultant and former French National Technical Director Jean-Claude Giuntini, U.S. Soccer Director of Coaching Education Didier Chambaron, and several MLS academy coaches and Elite Formation Coaching License graduates.
