Generation adidas Cup qualifying wraps

Generation adidas Cup qualifying wraps
by Travis Clark
February 18, 2020

Qualifying for the 2019-20 Generation adidas Cup wrapped up over the holiday weekend, with teams slotting into three divisions in the older age group, and the first-place finishers in the U15 age group the lone sides to advance. The finals are slated to be held in Frisco, Texas, from April 4-12. Once again, international clubs will join a field of the MLS sides that compete in the event for U17 and U15 teams.

MORE: Standouts from the final day in So Cal | Complete GA Cup standings and results

Below is a recap of where each team finished and a few highlights from the weekend.

Under-17

Group A

Despite opening the weekend with a narrow 3-2 loss to LAFC, Colorado Rapids bounced back with wins against FC Dallas and Portland to top the group. A win in the second round of games by Houston over LAFC helped to power the Dynamo into the second spot, despite falling on Monday against FC Dallas.

Division 1: Colorado Rapids, Houston Dynamo

Division 2: Vancouver Whitecaps FC, LAFC

Division 3: Portland, FC Dallas

Group B

A dominant run for the Chicago Fire at this age group continued with three more wins. The Fire beat San Jose, Sporting KC and Minnesota to make it six wins from six Generation adidas Cup qualifying matches.

Division 1: Chicago Fire, LA Galaxy

Division 2: San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC

Division 3: Sporting KC, Minnesota United

Group C

Hosts of the President’s Day regional, Real Salt Lake needed a win to assure progress in Monday’s final round of qualifying games. And they just about pulled it off, beating D.C. United by a 2-1 score to sew up first place. The Red Bulls snagged the other spots, fueled by a pair of draws over the weekend; both games ended in a 1-1 draws with RSL and Philadelphia. Winning both of those penalty shootouts gave RBNY two extra points, which were critical in finishing second ahead of Inter Miami (12) and the Union (11).

Division 1: Real Salt Lake, New York Red Bulls

Division 2: Inter Miami CF, Philadelphia Union

Division 3: D.C. United, New England Revolution

Group D

A win and a draw were the results that NYCFC needed heading into the final weekend of GA Cup qualifying, and that’s what they secured to finish in first place. The pathway to the first team remains hazy and muddled with no USL side, but there’s no doubt about New York’s status as one of the top academies in the league. The Crew didn’t lose either of their games in Atlanta, but two draws – one turned into a win on penalties, the other a loss – wasn’t enough. A 2-1 defeat against FC Cincinnati all the way back in November proved to be the difference between Division 1 and 2. Toronto filled that gap with a 1-0 win on Monday, securing second place in Group D.

Division 1: New York City FC, Toronto FC

Division 2: Columbus Crew SC, Atlanta United

Division 3: FC Cincinnati, Montreal Impact, Orlando City

Under-15

With just first-place teams advancing, there was still plenty to play for in the final weekend of U15 qualifying. FC Dallas surged in Houston, holding off a push by LAFC, which finished two points behind in second place. Both teams won all three games over the holiday weekend.

Chicago Fire opened up their stay in California with a crucial 2-1 win against San Jose on Friday; that proved valuable, as Chicago maintained a three-point gap on the Earthquakes to finish atop the group.

Two wins and a draw in Salt Lake City did the trick for the New York Red Bulls, which won Group C by four points when the games wrapped. A 3-2 win against RSL on the Friday to open up the weekend was of utmost importance for the Red Bulls.

New York City FC will join the eight-team tournament against Liga MX side, holding off Toronto. Winning all three games in Atlanta ensured that would be the case, and it was only solidified when TFC drew 0-0 against Columbus Crew on the Saturday.

Group A: FC Dallas

Group B: Chicago Fire

Group C: New York Red Bulls

Group D: New York City FC

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