This weekend saw the Generation adidas Cup trophies lifted once again, capping off one of youth soccer’s most elite, global tournaments. While your Loons didn’t take home the silverware, both the U16 and U18 squads picked up some positive results, learning valuable lessons that will undoubtedly help them as they turn their attention toward finishing the regular season well.

Event Overview

This year’s tournament featured two age groups (U16, U18) per usual, with clubs from all around the world. Every team was guaranteed seven matches, beginning with a round-robin group stage to determine who would be competing for the overall title in the Championship Bracket. Teams that didn’t qualify for the trophy pursuit were put into either the Premier or Consolation Brackets, ensuring that every team would be able to compete in a single-elimination style bracket before leaving. Upon losing in the bracket stage, teams shifted over to the Showcase side of the tournament for what were essentially friendly matches for the rest of their time in Florida.

U16

Though they finished fourth in the group stage, the U16s should be proud of their efforts in this year’s tournament. A hard-fought draw against San Jose to open the proceedings saw the lads earn an extra point via penalties, setting up a tough 1-2 loss to Atlanta on day two. They rounded out the group with an extremely close 0-1 loss to French club Toulouse, and while the boys will be disappointed to have ended up in the Consolation Bracket after such slim margins, they should take this performance as a confirmation that they not only belong but can compete on the biggest stage of competition.

A 4-4 shootout with Toluca ended up seeing Jamie Carroll-Rolfe’s side knocked out on penalties in the first round of the bracket stage. A pair of narrow losses and another draw closed out the tournament without much fanfare. The boys ended the tournament with eight goals scored, failing to find the back of the net just twice in seven games. They won two of their three penalty shootouts, never lost by more than one goal, and were just a few positive bounces away from writing a much different story. If nothing else, this year’s tournament showed that Minnesota United has more than earned a seat at the table in one of the world’s most elite youth soccer showcases.

U18

Alex Morawiecki’s U18 side showcased plenty of grit during their week and a half in Bradenton, earning a second-place finish in their group. Much like their younger counterparts, the final margins were mighty thin in each match, with all but two of their eight games being decided by a single goal. Of the two that weren’t decided by one goal, one was a draw they lost on penalties, and the other was a 2-0 loss in the Showcase portion of the tournament. With quite literally a matter of inches on their side, the eldest MNUFC Academy team could have been competing for a trophy on the final weekend.

The group stage was headlined by a 1-0 win over English side Leicester City to close out group play, alongside an opening day win over Vancouver. A 0-1 loss to group winners RBNY kept them from competing in the Championship Bracket, despite an all-around solid showing. Their Premier Bracket story was cut short with a 1-1 draw against San Jose, following which the U18s lost their only penalty shootout of the tournament. They closed out the Showcase with two losses and a 1-0 win against NYCFC, courtesy of a fantastic strike from Cal Grulke at the top of the box.

Coach Morawiecki praised his team after the tournament wrapped up, noting how close they had gotten to the Championship Bracket. The likes of Kai Zeruhn, Issa Saidi, and Aidan Martinez earned special recognition from their coach, alongside Gavin Stevenson and Ari Van Mol. Though they missed out on this trophy, the boys can head into the remainder of the regular season with heads held high after truly competing with some of the best academy sides from around the globe.

The entire Academy will have a break before shifting back into MLS NEXT play, with the next slate of games scheduled for May 3 and 4 at the National Sports Center. The U18s and U16s will be taking on both Austin FC and FC Cincinnati, while the U15s will return to action with a match against Shattuck-St. Mary’s.