The Seattle Sounders U-17 Academy squad recently returned from the first round of Generation adidas Cup qualifying, where they took on Sporting Kansas City, LA Galaxy and Portland Timbers. An annual tournament involving each MLS youth side, the GA Cup is a billed as a showcase for the future stars of American soccer, and it’s one that the Seattle youth system has enjoyed plenty of success at in recent years.
Last year, the Academy staff opted to bring a dozen of the brightest prospects in the younger age groups along with them, hoping to use the elite competition to test them in a world-class environment and accelerate their development.