HERRIMAN, UTAH (Tuesday, April 9, 2024) - Real Salt Lake’s U-17 and U-15 academy teams performed well at the 2024 Generation adidas Cup in Bradenton, Florida, as both squads won their groups, making RSL one of only five teams participating in the competition to advance through the group phase in both age divisions. Not only did both teams advance, but both teams went undefeated - one of only two MLS academies to emerge from group-stage play unscathed. In total, the two RSL teams played nine competitive matches, finishing with a combined record of 5-2-2 and outscoring their opponents 11-5 in regulation.
The Generation adidas Cup, colloquially known to fans as the GA Cup, is one of the world’s top youth soccer tournaments, fielding 80 teams across both age groups from around the world and featuring academies from iconic clubs like Manchester United (England), Ajax (Netherlands), Valencia CF (Spain), Sporting CP (Portugal), Jeonbuk Hyundai (South Korea) and Flamengo (Brazil). Due to the density of scheduling, matches are played in two 35-minute halves, with draws in the group stages triggering a penalty shootout - the winner claiming an additional point. The tournament ended with Philadelphia Union (U-17) and Valencia CF (U-15) taking home the hardware.
The RSL U-17 squad, under the stewardship of Head Coach Jordan Allen, began their bid for the coveted trophy in top form, claiming a 1-0 victory over fellow MLS side Sporting Kansas City in the opening match. The second fixture saw them square off with Atlético Nacional, a Colombian team based in Medellín, ending regulation in a 3-3 draw but claiming a second point with a victory in the penalty shootout. In their final group stage matchup, the U-17s claimed another 1-0 victory, this time defeating Inter Miami CF to secure their place in the knockout rounds as one Real Monarchs player, Omar Marquez, linked up with another, Zavier Gozo, to slot in the winning goal.
Moving into the round of 16, the U-17s met up with Chicago Fire, dispatching them in an impressive 2-0 victory to secure a spot in the quarterfinal. Their run would however come to an end in heartbreaking fashion against San Jose Earthquakes, finishing regulation in a 0-0 draw before losing 7-8 on penalty kicks. Despite the loss, it was the fourth clean sheet in five matches for goalkeeper Will Mackay, who established himself as one of the top performers of the tournament.
The U-15 squad enjoyed a similarly dominant run in the group stage, opening up play with a 1-1 draw against Dutch side FC Nordsjælland. Then, slated against Nashville SC, they collected their first win with a complete 1-0 performance. In their final group stage match, facing off against Weston FC, a South-Florida based youth soccer club competing in the USL League Two, the U-15s emerged with another 1-0 victory as Anthony Capetillo came off the bench and netted the game-winner with only two minutes remaining in the contest - securing a finish atop the group and punching a ticket to the knockouts. Matched against New York Red Bulls in the round of 16, regulation ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw before RBNY advanced on penalty kicks 5-4.
U-17 Matches and Results
- 3/30 (Group B) vs. Sporting Kansas City - WIN (1-0)
- 3/31 (Group B) vs. Atlético Nacional - DRAW (3-3, 3-1)
- 4/1 (Group B) vs. Inter Miami CF - WIN (1-0)
- 4/4 (Round of 16) vs. Chicago Fire FC - WIN (2-0)
- 4/5 (Quarterfinal) vs. San Jose Earthquakes - LOSS (0-0, 7-8)
U-17 Final Group Standings (B)
- Real Salt Lake (8 Points)
- Sporting Kansas City (3 Points)
- Inter Miami CF (3 Points)
- Atlético Nacional (1 Point)
U-15 Matches and Results
- 3/30 (Group A) vs. FC Nordsjælland - DRAW (1-1, 2-4)
- 3/31 (Group A) vs. Nashville SC - WIN (1-0)
- 4/1 (Group A) vs. Weston FC - WIN (1-0)
- 4/4 (Round of 16) vs. New York Red Bulls - LOSS (1-1, 4-5)
U-15 Final Group Standings (A)
- Real Salt Lake (7 Points)
- Weston FC (4 Points)
- Nashville SC (4 Points)
- FC Nordsjælland (3 Points)
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