Minnesota United’s Developmental Academy has announced that for the third time, it will be competing in the U12 MLS Generation adidas Cup in Atlanta, Georgia. Two MNUFC U12 teams will enter the competition, which is slated to run during Thanksgiving weekend with group games played at the Atlanta United Training Facility in Marietta on Friday, November 28 and Saturday, November 29 while placement games will follow on Sunday, December 1.

“We are very excited to bring another group of local players to this event,” said Academy Coach Andy Seidel. “It is a great experience for them to see and compete with players from throughout the country. We are bringing 24 players from 11 different area clubs, the coaches and clubs in this area have really done a good job of creating environments for these players to gain skills and confidence.”

The two U12 groups that the young Loons will play in are as follows:

With 24 total players traveling to Atlanta, each of Minnesota United’s teams will consist of 12 players who will play in two mini games each day. In preparation for the 2019 U12 Generation adidas Cup, Minnesota’s U12s – along with its U13s, U14s, U15s and U17s – will travel to Chicago from November 2 to November 3 to take on the Chicago Fire Juniors.

“Not only is this a great event for the players to see the level, but great for us as an academy, to see players in this environment and how they react to the competitive level,” said Seidel.

While MLS has yet to officially announce the full schedule for this year’s U12 Generation adidas Cup, Minnesota United’s Developmental Academy has released a 24-player roster for the competition. The 24 players represent 11 different soccer clubs from throughout the Twin Cities and is as follows: