The 2019 MLS Generation adidas class is taking shape behind the scenes, with veteran soccer journalist Ives Galarcep reporting on New Year’s Day that seven of the top underclassmen in NCAA soccer have been signed to Generation adidas deals ahead of the 2019 MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 11 in Chicago.
Citing anonymous sources, Galarcep reported for Goal.com that UCLA and US U-20 national team midfielder Frankie Amaya will headline this year’s GA crop, and will be joined by Canadian striker Tajon Buchanon (Syracuse), Kentucky striker JJ Williams, UNC’s John Nelson, Indiana winger Griffin Dorsey, VCU talent Siad Haji (pictured at top) and University of Maryland goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, the Canadian who backstopped the Terrapins’ run to the 2018 College Cup championship.
Read the full post to learn more about the potential GA class of '19.
A joint initiative between MLS and adidas in which a handful of the top collegiate underclassmen and select youth national team players are signed to MLS contracts and made available in the SuperDraft, the Generation adidas program is designed to provide top young talent with a fast-tracked route to the professional level.
GA players do not count against an MLS team’s salary budget and the program has provided avenues for many future stars to develop their careers, including Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, Darlington Nagbe and Cyle Larin.
