Generation Adidas Takes on the Spaniards

The Generation Adidas gang has been testing its mettle on a training tour abroad for the past ten days or so.

(Something I’ve always wondered: What is a mettle, and how do you test it? But I suppose that’s irrelevant here.)

In case you’re not familiar with US soccer speak, Generation Adidas is the gang of guys who are considered the up and comers of the next generation of soccer players. According to the always correct Wikipedia, which credits the following quote to a non-existent source:

Generation Adidas is a joint venture between Major League Soccer and the United States Soccer Federation aimed to raise the level of young soccer talent in the United States. The program, sponsored by adidas, encourages early entry (without college graduation) of American players into MLS. Until 2005, the program was sponsored by Nike and was called Project-40.

Hey, sounds good to me.

Recently, Generation Adidas has been touring Spain, matching up against some quality Spanish reserve sides. And how have they been doing? Not too badly, actually. They beat Rayo Vallecano’s reserves, 1-0, and drew against the Real Madrid reserves, 0-0.

They’ve also gotten to watch some soccer, including the Champions League game between Sevilla and Arsenal. (Two of my favorite non-French teams. Just so you know. I would have eaten worms to be at that game.)

If you’re an MLS fan, I think you’ll recognize some of the following names, the Generation Adidas lineups in the most recent game:
First half – Brad Guzan, Marvell Wynne, Patrick Ianni, Jed Zayner, Hunter Freeman, Jacob Peterson, Nathan Sturgis, Bakary Soumare, Willie Sims, Chad Barrett, Kei Kamara

Second half – Brad Guzan, Tim Ward, Patrick Ianni, Jed Zayner, Hunter Freeman, Nico Colaluca, David Arvizu, Bakary Soumare, Amaechi Igwe, Chad Barrett, Kei Kamara

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Category: Europe, MLS, World Football