Generation adidas Cup is back and Charlotte FC’s U-16 and U-18 squads are headed down to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida to face off against some of the top Academy squads in the world. The 2025 edition of the tournament runs from April 12-20 and will welcome 80 teams from 14 different countries.
Check back in with this live blog to follow along, check results and find broadcast information as The Crown kicks off its fourth-ever Generation adidas Cup run.
U-16 Schedule and Results:
Charlotte FC’s U-16 squad kicked off its GA Cup run on Saturday, April 12 with a strong 2-1 victory over K.R.C. Genk. The Belgian club is widely regarded as a development powerhouse, producing international superstars such as Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne, Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois and D.C. United’s Christian Benteke, among many others. The U-16s followed it up with a 2-2 draw with FC Cincinnati, falling in PKs 5:4 and shutting out Seattle Sounders FC in a 1-0 win.
After topping Group C, the U-16s advanced to the Championship Bracket and opened knockout play by defeating the Philadelphia Union in penalties 4:3. The Crown then faced Real Salt Lake in the Quarterfinals, but ultimately fell 2-0 and sending them to the Showcase to round out their GA Cup run.
Ahead of the tournament, defender Jeremiah Alexander-Munoz was named to the 2025 Generation adidas Cup Rising XI, highlighting 11 of the top young prospects at MLS academies that will be participating in the tournament. Cited for his passing ability and physical abilities, Alexander-Munoz will certainly be one to watch at the tournament.
The U-16s currently sit in fourth place in the East (South) Division with a 6W-6L-3D record (21 points), trailing third place Orlando City SC (28 points).
Group Stage:
4/12 - Charlotte FC vs. K.R.C. Genk - W, 2-1
4/13 - Charlotte FC vs. FC Cincinnati - D, 2-2 (PK L, 5:4)
4/14 - Charlotte FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC - W, 1-0
Championship Playoff:
4/16 - Charlotte FC vs. Philadelphia Union - D, 1-1 (PK W, 4:3)
4/17 - Charlotte FC vs. Real Salt Lake - L, 2-0
Showcase:
4/19 - Charlotte FC vs. CF Montréal @ 11:30 a.m.
For a full list of U-16 matches and results, click HERE.
U-18 Schedule and Results:
Charlotte FC’s U-18 side opened up GA Cup against international foe C.A. Club Atlético Independiente on Saturday, April 12, playing to a 0-0 draw before falling 5:4 in penalties to the Panamanian side. The squad bounced back in their second match, shutting out Austin FC in a 1-0 win. The U-18s rounded out Group Stage play against the LA Galaxy, a highly anticiapted rematch of the 2024 U-17 MLS NEXT Cup Final. CLTFC unfortunately fell 3-1.
A second place finish in Group C secured The Crown's spot in the Premier Bracket, pitting them against Leiceter City FC which ended scoreless in regulation. CLTFC came out of the penalty shootout on top, taking down the English club 3:1. The U-18s then went on to face Seattle Sounders FC which resulted in a 1-0 victory, setting them against Palmieras in the Semifinals of the Premier Bracket.
The U-18s currently sit in fourth place in the East (South) Division with a 3W-7L-5D record (14 points), trailing Atlanta United FC and Inter Miami CF, who are tied for second place with 19 points.
Group Stage:
4/12 - Charlotte FC vs. Club Atlético Independiente - D, 0-0 (PK L, 5:4)
4/13 - Charlotte FC vs. Austin FC - W, 1-0
4/14 - Charlotte FC vs. LA Galaxy - L, 3-1
Premier Bracket:
4/16 - Charlotte FC vs. Leicester City FC - D, 0-0 (PK W, 3:1)
4/17 - Charlotte FC vs. Seatte Sounders FC - W, 1-04/19 - Charlotte FC vs. Palmieras @ 2:30 p.m.
For a full list of U-18 matches and results, click HERE.
What is Generation adidas Cup and what does it mean for CLTFC?
Generation adidas Cup is one of the premier international youth tournaments that will feature 80 teams, representing 14 countries and four continents. Clubs participating include international powerhouses FC Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, PSV Eindhoven and VfB Stuttgart, among others.
The event not only provides clubs and players a platform to showcase themselves against top-level talent, but the chance to hone their skills and tactics with MLS NEXT Flex and MLS NEXT Cup right around the corner. With numerous international scouts from around the globe in attendance, players also have the opportunity to kick off their professional journey by displaying their skills.
Competition Structure:
- 40 teams, organized into 10 groups of four, will compete in each of the two age groups (U-16 and U-18)
- Groups were drawn at random, categorized by division for MLS academies, while international clubs were drawn at random.
- 16 teams will advance to the single-elimination championship bracket, which is made up of the 10 groups winners and the top six second-place finishers.
- The next-best 16 teams will enter a consolation bracket, with the final eight teams competing in consolation groups to provide additional competitive matches.
- All teams competing are guaranteed to play seven 60-minute matches, comprised of two 30-minute halves.
- The championship matches in both age groups will be extended to 70-minute matches.
- Matches that are tied at the end of regulation will go directly to a penalty-kick shootout.
