Generation adidas is a joint program between MLS and adidas which sees a handful of top collegiate underclassmen and youth national team players signed by MLS to Generation adidas contracts and made available in the SuperDraft.
Beginning in 2017, the Generation adidas program is mirrored in Canada as MLS and the Canadian Soccer Association work together to identify top Canadian talent and sign them to GA contracts, with the signed players made available to all MLS clubs through the SuperDraft.
Some of the players signed to GA contracts may also receive an education stipend that may be used in the future toward the completion of their college education.
These Generation adidas players are typically signed every offseason and made available for selection by clubs at the annual
SuperDraft
.
In order to provide Generation adidas players with the best professional environment, Generation adidas player salaries
are not charged against an MLS team's annual salary budget, providing an added incentive for that club to develop the player
. Eventually, these GA players graduate to senior player contracts and their salaries are charged against a team's budget.
Prior to 2005, the program was known as Project-40. Every No. 1 pick in the SuperDraft since 2003 has been a Generation adidas product.
Over the years, many of the league's top players have come through the Generation adidas program, including: DaMarcus Beasley, Kyle Beckerman, Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, Maurice Edu, Darlington Nagbe, Cyle Larin, Cristian Roldan, Miles Robinson and Jack Harrison.
Current MLS Players Under Generation adidas Status
<strong>Team</strong> |
<strong>Player</strong> |
<strong>Position</strong> |
Columbus Crew SC |
JJ Williams |
Forward |
FC Cincinnati<wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr> |
Frankie Amaya |
Midfielder |
FC Dallas<wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr> |
Emmanuel Twumasi |
Midfielder |
FC Dallas<wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr> |
Francis Atuahene |
Forward |
FC Dallas<wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr> |
John Nelson |
Defender |
Minnesota United FC<wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr> |
Dayne St. Clair |
Goalkeeper |
Minnesota United FC<wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr> |
Mason Toye |
Forward |
New England Revolution<wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr> |
Tajon Buchanan |
Forward |
Orlando City SC<wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr> |
João Moutinho |
Defender |
San Jose Earthquakes<wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr> |
Siad Haji |
Midfielder |
Toronto FC<wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr><wbr> |
Griffin Dorsey |
Forward |