From March 27 to April 4, top academy teams from around the world gather in Bradenton, Florida for one of the most competitive youth tournaments in the global game: the Generation adidas Cup.
Seattle’s Academy teams have a rich history in the GA Cup, becoming the first-ever MLS side to win the top division of the tournament back in 2019, beating clubs like River Plate, West Ham and Valencia along the way. The Sounders repeated as champions in 2022, beating Tigres UANL in an epic final.
This year’s U-15 and U-16 Academy teams are following in their footsteps, with both teams qualifying for the knockout rounds of the Championship bracket. The U-15’s toppled German giants Bayern Munich 4-0 in the quarterfinals, while the U-16’s beat Argentine powerhouse Boca Juniors 1-0.
“I think when you have a long event and it's multiple games, you need to have multiple different people contributing, but you also need to defend as 11 and everyone working together,” said U-16 Head Coach Matt Dorman. “And I think that togetherness of the group is probably something I would take away from this.”
The young Sounders reached the semifinals of the prestigious tournament following a pair of victories over MLS academy sides on Wednesday morning. The U-15’s defeated FC Cincinnati 2-1, while the U-16’s beat the New England Revolution 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
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“The key areas are continuing with what's been successful so far…The work ethic, making your group hard to play against, defending your own box well,” said Dorman. "And you know, taking the chances when they come. It's quite a generic answer, but you know, just keep it simple.”
While the tournament is far from over, the Sounders have already achieved something monumental, becoming one of just two MLS clubs in this year’s competition to have both age groups advance to the knockout stage in the Championship bracket. Orlando City SC is the only other club to reach that milestone.
“It just shows the collaboration we have as a staff, and the adaptability in that we can work together,” said Dorman. “Multiple players from the U-15 [have] played with the U-16’s this year, and we have two players from the U-15’s playing with the U-16’s now. So the ability of players to transfer through groups and find the best position for their own development, I think, is exciting and is just paying off in this event.”
Beyond the tournament standings, GA Cup has amounted to so much more as it relates to the players’ growth and preparation to play at the highest level.
“Our long-term vision is to help our First Team win. So, this is developing the ability to win and compete,” said Dorman. “We're all working here at the GA cup to support our First Team.”
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The objective remains the same as it did when the Sounders U-17s captured the club’s first-ever GA Cup title in 2019, with players like Josh Atencio, Reed Baker-Whiting and Danny Leyva later going on to sign First Team contracts.
That same blend of individual excellence and collective identity has been on display throughout this year’s tournament. Director of Development Wade Webber described U-15 goalkeeper Alan Mercado as a “penalty machine” after saving a penalty against Bayern Munich, while Minnesota missed two more against him in the opening match. On the other end, U-16 goalkeeper Jackson Dale delivered “elite saves” against Boca Juniors, while U-15 standout Cris Batiz has put together a sterling tournament, leading the competition in goals.
With both teams pushing toward the possibility of two titles in one tournament, there’s no doubt the club has a chance to make history at the 2026 Generation adidas Cup.
“We’re the Seattle Sounders,” said Dorman. “We're not worried about anybody else. We just worry about what the Seattle Sounders can do, and we'll play anybody and give it a go.”
The U-15’s will square off against the winners of Cedar Stars Academy vs. LAFC in the semifinals, while the U-16’s will face the winners of Red Bull New York vs. Vancouver Whitecaps.
