This week, members of Minnesota United’s Pre-Development Academy will head south to compete in the Generation adidas Cup’s U12 division against other MLS teams. The Loons will kick off the tournament in Frisco, Texas, against New York Red Bulls at 1:00 p.m. CT on Thursday, March 29. MNUFC is in Group D along with the Red Bulls, Houston Dynamo, Atlanta United and the Seattle Sounders. In all, 20 MLS teams with U12 programs are sending representatives to the tournament.

This is the third competitive event of the season for the Pre-Development Academy, a program that supplements young players’ club experience with training built on the principles of the Development Academy. Participating in the Generation adidas Cup — Major League Soccer’s annual elite youth tournament for academy teams — is a chance for younger players to get a feel for the environment and competition at the next level as they work toward becoming members of the U13 and U14 teams at Minnesota United’s Development Academy.

“We are very excited to be able to be a part of this event with our young players,” said U12 Technical Leader Andy Seidel. “It will be a great for the players to compete at a high level and test themselves against other MLS competition. As a club, we are looking forward to this development opportunity.”

Consistent with the Development Academy’s focus on player development and education, the tournament is less an opportunity to win a championship and more a chance for kids to see what it takes to compete at a high level and to challenge themselves to grow from the experience.