Generation Adidas is a joint venture between Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer aimed at raising the level of young professional soccer talent in the United States.[1] The program, sponsored by Adidas, offers professional-ready players in the U.S. developmental system not yet eligible for the MLS SuperDraft early entry, allowing MLS to compete with foreign professional clubs without comparable restrictions on player signing.[2] From its establishment in 1997 to 2005, the program was sponsored by Nike and was called Project-40.[3] Originally intended to improve the U.S. national team player pool, American national team eligibility is no longer required for program entry.
Carlos Parra was the first Project-40 player when he signed with the league and was allocated to the New York/New Jersey MetroStars in 1997. Since then, the program has included players such as Tim Howard, DaMarcus Beasley, Maurice Edu, Carlos Bocanegra, Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, Ben Olsen, Sacha Kljestan, Freddy Adu, Brad Guzan, Michael Bradley, Nick Rimando, Kyle Beckerman, and NFL kicker Josh Lambo.
Generation Adidas players do not count against the MLS senior roster and usually earn a much higher salary than the league minimum.[4] Entering into the program automatically classifies a player as professional, and thus disqualifies them from playing college soccer. As a result, Generation Adidas players are also guaranteed scholarships to continue their college education should they end their professional career early.[5]
From 1998 to 2000, MLS entered a team of Project-40 players, supplemented by other MLS players who did not get much playing time, into the A-League in the USL.[6]
In 2017, MLS introduced Canadian Generation Adidas players, part of a new initiative with the Canadian Soccer Association. Canadian Generation Adidas players count as domestic players on US based MLS teams.[7]
Players
1997
| Player
|
Age
|
Pos
|
Hometown
|
College/prior
|
Assigned team
|
| Ubusuku Abukusumo
|
19
|
D
|
Albuquerque, NM
|
North Carolina State
|
Columbus Crew
|
| Jose Botello
|
20
|
M
|
Los Angeles, CA
|
East Los Angeles College
|
Los Angeles Galaxy
|
| Nino Da Silva
|
17
|
M
|
Hoffman Estates, IL
|
|
Kansas City Wizards
|
| Joey DiGiamarino
|
19
|
D
|
Corona, CA
|
Cal State Fullerton
|
Colorado Rapids
|
| Brian Dunseth
|
19
|
D
|
Upland, CA
|
Cal State Fullerton
|
New England Revolution
|
| Carlos Parra
|
19
|
M
|
West Haven, CT
|
|
MetroStars
|
| Eric Quill
|
18
|
F
|
Missouri City, TX
|
Clemson
|
Tampa Bay Mutiny
|
| Esmundo Rodriguez
|
19
|
M
|
Dallas, TX
|
Indiana
|
San Jose Clash
|
| Tim Sahaydak
|
19
|
D
|
Bethlehem, PA
|
North Carolina
|
Columbus Crew
|
| Juan Sastoque
|
19
|
F
|
Brooklyn, NY
|
CSUN
|
Dallas Burn
|
1998
| Player
|
Age
|
Pos
|
Hometown
|
College/prior
|
Assigned team
|
| Jamar Beasley
|
18
|
F
|
Fort Wayne, IN
|
|
New England Revolution
|
| Judah Cooks
|
21
|
M
|
Bethesda, MD
|
Maryland
|
D.C. United
|
| Tim Howard
|
18
|
GK
|
North Brunswick, NJ
|
|
MetroStars
|
| Andy Kirk
|
20
|
GK
|
Milwaukee, WI
|
Maryland
|
San Jose Clash
|
| Chad McCarty
|
20
|
D
|
Clovis, CA
|
Washington
|
Tampa Bay Mutiny
|
| Matt Napoleon
|
20
|
GK
|
Feasterville, PA
|
Columbia
|
Miami Fusion
|
| Ben Olsen
|
20
|
M/F
|
Middletown, PA
|
Virginia
|
D.C. United
|
| Barry Swift
|
20
|
F
|
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
|
|
MetroStars
|
| Scott Vermillion
|
21
|
D
|
Olathe, KS
|
Virginia
|
Tampa Bay Mutiny
|
| Brian West
|
19
|
F
|
Columbia, MD
|
Virginia
|
Columbus Crew
|
| Josh Wolff
|
20
|
F
|
Stone Mountain, GA
|
South Carolina
|
Chicago Fire
|
1999
| Player
|
Age
|
Pos
|
Hometown
|
College/prior
|
Assigned team
|
| Chris Albright
|
20
|
F
|
Philadelphia, PA
|
Virginia
|
D.C. United
|
| DaMarcus Beasley
|
16
|
M
|
Fort Wayne, IN
|
Bradenton Academy
|
Los Angeles Galaxy
|
| Scott Bower
|
20
|
F/M
|
Tampa, FL
|
Clemson
|
San Jose Earthquakes
|
| Sergi Daniv
|
23
|
M
|
Lviv, Ukraine
|
Wake Forest
|
Chicago Fire
|
| Francisco Gomez
|
19
|
M
|
Watsonville, CA
|
California Jaguars
|
Kansas City Wizards
|
| Michael Green
|
20
|
D
|
Columbia, MD
|
Virginia
|
Kansas City Wizards
|
| Dema Kovalenko
|
21
|
M
|
Rochester, NY
|
Indiana
|
Chicago Fire
|
| Alen Kozić
|
22
|
D/M
|
Tampa, FL
|
Florida International
|
Miami Fusion
|
| Matt Nyman
|
22
|
G
|
Westbrook, CT
|
Dartmouth
|
Tampa Bay Mutiny
|
| Antonio Otero
|
21
|
M
|
Tampa, FL
|
American
|
D.C. United
|
| Marvin Quijano
|
19
|
F
|
North Hollywood, CA
|
Rio Hondo Comm College
|
Los Angeles Galaxy
|
| Maurizio Rocha
|
22
|
M
|
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
|
Connecticut
|
Miami Fusion
|
| Scott Vallow
|
21
|
GK
|
Naperville, IL
|
Bowling Green
|
Dallas Burn
|
2000
| Player
|
Age
|
Pos
|
Hometown
|
College/prior
|
Draft team
|
| Shaker Asad
|
20
|
M
|
Raleigh, NC
|
North Carolina State
|
New England Revolution
|
| Kyle Beckerman
|
17
|
M
|
Crofton, MD
|
US Under-17
|
Miami Fusion
|
| Carlos Bocanegra
|
20
|
D
|
Alta Loma, CA
|
UCLA
|
Chicago Fire
|
| Danny Califf
|
19
|
D
|
Orange, CA
|
Maryland
|
Los Angeles Galaxy
|
| Bobby Convey
|
16
|
M
|
Philadelphia, PA
|
Bradenton Academy
|
D.C. United
|
| Micah Cooks
|
18
|
M
|
Washington, DC
|
|
D.C. United
|
| Nick Garcia
|
20
|
D
|
Plano, TX
|
Indiana
|
Kansas City Wizards
|
| Mario Longo
|
19
|
M
|
Apex, NC
|
|
Columbus Crew
|
| Rusty Pierce
|
20
|
D
|
The Woodlands, TX
|
UNC Greensboro
|
New England Revolution
|
| Nick Rimando
|
20
|
GK
|
Montclair, CA
|
UCLA
|
Miami Fusion
|
| Seth Trembly
|
17
|
M
|
Littleton, CO
|
Bradenton Academy
|
Colorado Rapids
|
| Sergio Salas
|
18
|
F
|
Falls Church, VA
|
|
D.C. United
|
2001
| Player
|
Age
|
Pos
|
Hometown
|
College/prior
|
Draft team
|
| Devin Barclay
|
17
|
F
|
Annapolis, MD
|
US Under-20
|
Tampa Bay Mutiny
|
| Isaias Bardales
|
21
|
F
|
San Jose, CA
|
San Jose State
|
Los Angeles Galaxy
|
| Edson Buddle
|
19
|
F
|
New Rochelle, NY
|
State Fair Community College
|
Columbus Crew
|
| Jose Aparicio Sanchez Jr.
|
16
|
F
|
Houston, TX
|
|
San Jose Earthquakes
|
| José Burciaga Jr.
|
19
|
D
|
Duncanville, TX
|
US Under-20
|
Kansas City Wizards
|
| Chris Carrieri
|
20
|
F
|
Stafford, VA
|
North Carolina
|
San Jose Earthquakes
|
| D.J. Countess
|
19
|
GK
|
Sacramento, CA
|
UCLA
|
MetroStars
|
| Nick Downing
|
20
|
D
|
Redmond, WA
|
Maryland
|
New England Revolution
|
| Eddie Johnson
|
16
|
F
|
Palm Coast, FL
|
Bradenton Academy
|
Dallas Burn
|
| Martin Klinger
|
20
|
F
|
Kearny, NJ
|
MetroStars Black
|
MetroStars
|
| Santino Quaranta
|
16
|
F
|
Baltimore, MD
|
Bradenton Academy
|
D.C. United
|
| Miguel Saavedra
|
17
|
M
|
Milwaukee, WI
|
US Under-18
|
Dallas Burn
|
2002
2003
| Player
|
Age
|
Pos
|
Hometown
|
College/prior
|
Draft team
|
| Arturo Alvarez
|
17
|
F/M
|
Houston, TX
|
US Under-17
|
San Jose Earthquakes
|
| Brian Carroll
|
21
|
M
|
Fairfax, VA
|
Wake Forest
|
D.C. United
|
| Ricardo Clark
|
19
|
M
|
Jonesboro, GA
|
Furman
|
MetroStars
|
| Alecko Eskandarian
|
20
|
F
|
Montvale, NJ
|
Virginia
|
D.C. United
|
| Eddie Gaven
|
16
|
M
|
Hamilton, NJ
|
Bradenton Academy
|
MetroStars
|
| Guillermo Gonzalez
|
16
|
M
|
Paramount, CA
|
Bradenton Academy
|
Los Angeles Galaxy
|
| Nate Jaqua
|
21
|
F
|
Eugene, OR
|
Portland
|
Chicago Fire
|
| Jacob LeBlanc
|
21
|
M
|
Palo Alto, VA
|
Virginia
|
MetroStars
|
| Ricky Lewis
|
20
|
D
|
Spring, TX
|
Clemson
|
Los Angeles Galaxy
|
| Mike Magee
|
18
|
F/M
|
South Barrington, IL
|
Bradenton Academy
|
MetroStars
|
| Logan Pause
|
21
|
D
|
Hillsborough, NC
|
North Carolina
|
Chicago Fire
|
| David Stokes
|
20
|
D
|
Dumfries, VA
|
North Carolina
|
D.C. United
|
| Jason Thompson
|
21
|
F
|
Garland, TX
|
Eastern Illinois
|
Dallas Burn
|
2004
| Player
|
Age
|
Pos
|
Hometown
|
College/prior
|
Draft team
|
| Freddy Adu
|
14
|
M
|
Potomac, MD
|
US Under-17
|
D.C. United
|
| Michael Bradley
|
16
|
M
|
Palatine, IL
|
US Under-17
|
MetroStars
|
| Ryan Cochrane
|
20
|
D
|
Portland, OR
|
Santa Clara
|
San Jose Earthquakes
|
| Steve Cronin
|
20
|
GK
|
Sacramento, CA
|
Santa Clara
|
San Jose Earthquakes
|
| Clint Dempsey
|
20
|
M
|
Nacogdoches, TX
|
Furman
|
New England Revolution
|
| Josh Gardner
|
21
|
M
|
Houston, TX
|
Cincinnati
|
Los Angeles Galaxy
|
| Clarence Goodson
|
21
|
D
|
Springfield, VA
|
Maryland
|
Dallas Burn
|
| Ned Grabavoy
|
20
|
M
|
New Lenox, IL
|
Indiana
|
Los Angeles Galaxy
|
| Chad Marshall
|
19
|
D
|
Riverside, CA
|
Stanford
|
Columbus Crew
|
| Danny Szetela
|
16
|
M
|
Clifton, NJ
|
US Under-17
|
Columbus Crew
|
2005
| Player
|
Age
|
Pos
|
Hometown
|
College/prior
|
Draft team
|
| Chad Barrett
|
19
|
F
|
Beaverton, OR
|
UCLA
|
Chicago Fire
|
| Nikolas Besagno
|
16
|
M
|
Maple Valley, WA
|
US Under-17
|
Real Salt Lake
|
| Hunter Freeman
|
20
|
D
|
Allen, TX
|
Virginia
|
Colorado Rapids
|
| Brad Guzan
|
20
|
GK
|
Homer Glen, IL
|
South Carolina
|
Chivas USA
|
| Christian Jimenez
|
18
|
M
|
San Dimas, CA
|
US Under-20
|
Chivas USA
|
| Will John
|
19
|
F
|
Kansas City, MO
|
Saint Louis
|
Chicago Fire
|
| Quavas Kirk
|
16
|
F
|
Aurora, IL
|
US Under-17
|
Los Angeles Galaxy
|
| Drew Moor
|
20
|
D
|
Dallas, TX
|
Indiana
|
FC Dallas
|
| Michael Parkhurst
|
20
|
D
|
Cranston, RI
|
Wake Forest
|
New England Revolution
|
| Ryan Pore
|
21
|
F
|
Mansfield, OH
|
Tulsa
|
Kansas City Wizards
|
| Tim Ward
|
17
|
D
|
Waukesha, WI
|
Saint Louis
|
MetroStars
|
| Jamie Watson
|
18
|
F
|
Dallas, TX
|
North Carolina
|
Real Salt Lake
|
2006
| Player
|
Age
|
Pos
|
Hometown
|
College/prior
|
Draft team
|
| Jozy Altidore
|
16
|
F
|
Boca Raton, FL
|
IMG Soccer Academy
|
MetroStars
|
| Yura Movsisyan
|
18
|
F
|
Pasadena, CA
|
Pasadena
|
Kansas City Wizards
|
| David Arvizu
|
17
|
F
|
Santa Ana, CA
|
US Under-20
|
MetroStars
|
| Patrick Ianni
|
20
|
D/M
|
Lodi, CA
|
UCLA
|
Houston Dynamo
|
| Kei Kamara
|
21
|
F
|
Lawndale, CA
|
Cal State Dominguez Hills
|
Columbus Crew
|
| Sacha Kljestan
|
20
|
M
|
Huntington Beach, CA
|
Seton Hall
|
Chivas USA
|
| Dax McCarty
|
18
|
M
|
Winter Park, FL
|
North Carolina
|
FC Dallas
|
| Jacob Peterson
|
19
|
F
|
Portage, MI
|
Indiana
|
Colorado Rapids
|
| Willie Sims
|
21
|
F
|
Los Angeles, CA
|
Cal State Northridge
|
New England Revolution
|
| Nathan Sturgis
|
18
|
D/M
|
St. Augustine, FL
|
Clemson
|
Los Angeles Galaxy
|
| Blake Wagner
|
17
|
D
|
Tampa, FL
|
US Under-20
|
FC Dallas
|
| Marvell Wynne
|
19
|
D
|
Poway, CA
|
UCLA
|
MetroStars
|
| Jed Zayner
|
21
|
D
|
Orland Park, IL
|
Indiana
|
Columbus Crew
|
2007
2008
| Player
|
Age
|
Pos
|
Hometown
|
College/prior
|
Draft team
|
| Eric Avila
|
20
|
M
|
San Diego, CA
|
UC Santa Barbara
|
FC Dallas
|
| Tony Beltran
|
20
|
D/M
|
Claremont, CA
|
UCLA
|
Real Salt Lake
|
| Roger Espinoza
|
21
|
M
|
Aurora, CO
|
Ohio State
|
Kansas City Wizards
|
| Josh Lambo
|
17
|
GK
|
Middleton, WI
|
US Under-17
|
FC Dallas
|
| Chance Myers
|
20
|
D/M
|
Thousand Oaks, CA
|
UCLA
|
Kansas City Wizards
|
| Alex Nimo
|
17
|
F/M
|
Portland, OR
|
US Under-17
|
Real Salt Lake
|
| Patrick Nyarko
|
22
|
F
|
Kumasi, Ghana
|
Virginia Tech
|
Chicago Fire
|
| Ciaran O'Brien
|
20
|
M
|
Tacoma, WA
|
UC Santa Barbara
|
Colorado Rapids
|
| Brek Shea
|
17
|
M/D
|
College Station, TX
|
US Under-17
|
FC Dallas
|
| Rob Valentino
|
22
|
D
|
Cave Creek, AZ
|
San Francisco
|
New England Revolution
|
2009
2010
| Player
|
Age
|
Pos
|
Hometown
|
College/prior
|
Draft team
|
| Corben Bone
|
21
|
M
|
Plano, TX
|
Wake Forest
|
Chicago Fire
|
| Teal Bunbury
|
19
|
F
|
Prior Lake, MN
|
Akron
|
Kansas City Wizards
|
| Dilly Duka
|
20
|
M
|
Montville, NJ
|
Rutgers
|
Columbus Crew
|
| Blair Gavin
|
20
|
M
|
Louisville, KY
|
Akron
|
Chivas USA
|
| Luis Gil
|
16
|
M
|
Garden Grove, CA
|
US Under-17
|
Kansas City Wizards
|
| Zachary Herold
|
17
|
D
|
Port St. Lucie, FL
|
US Under-17
|
Toronto FC
|
| Sean Johnson
|
20
|
GK
|
Lilburn, GA
|
UCF
|
Chicago Fire
|
| Jack McInerney
|
17
|
F
|
Alpharetta, GA
|
US Under-17
|
Philadelphia Union
|
| Danny Mwanga
|
18
|
F
|
Kinshasa, DR Congo
|
Oregon State
|
Philadelphia Union
|
| Amobi Okugo
|
18
|
M
|
Sacramento, CA
|
UCLA
|
Philadelphia Union
|
| Ike Opara
|
20
|
D
|
Durham, NC
|
Wake Forest
|
San Jose Earthquakes
|
| Tony Tchani
|
20
|
M
|
Norfolk, VA
|
Virginia
|
New York Red Bulls
|
| Andrew Wiedeman
|
20
|
F
|
San Ramon, CA
|
California
|
FC Dallas
|
2011
| Player
|
Age
|
Pos
|
Hometown
|
College/prior
|
Draft team
|
| David Bingham
|
21
|
GK
|
Castro Valley, CA
|
California
|
San Jose Earthquakes
|
| Will Bruin
|
21
|
F
|
St. Louis, MO
|
Indiana
|
Houston Dynamo
|
| Corey Hertzog
|
20
|
F
|
Reading, PA
|
Penn State
|
New York Red Bulls
|
| Perry Kitchen
|
18
|
M
|
Indianapolis, IN
|
Akron
|
D.C. United
|
| Zac MacMath
|
19
|
GK
|
St. Petersburg, FL
|
Maryland
|
Philadelphia Union
|
| Darlington Nagbe
|
20
|
M
|
Lakewood, OH
|
Akron
|
Portland Timbers
|
| Michael Nanchoff
|
22
|
M
|
North Royalton, OH
|
Akron
|
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
|
| Omar Salgado
|
17
|
F
|
El Paso, TX
|
US Under-20
|
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
|
| Kofi Sarkodie
|
19
|
D
|
Huber Heights, OH
|
Akron
|
Houston Dynamo
|
| Michael Tetteh
|
21
|
D
|
Accra, Ghana
|
UC Santa Barbara
|
Seattle Sounders FC
|
| Zarek Valentin
|
19
|
D
|
Lancaster, PA
|
Akron
|
Chivas USA
|
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
The 2023 class was announced on December 19, 2022, prior to the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.[8] The first five picks in the draft, including top pick Hamady Diop from Clemson, were Generation Adidas players.[9]
| Player
|
Age
|
Pos
|
Hometown
|
College/prior
|
Draft team
|
| Joey Akpunonu
|
20
|
D
|
Toledo, OH
|
Bowling Green
|
FC Cincinnati
|
| Joshua Bolma
|
20
|
M
|
Accra, Ghana
|
Maryland
|
New England Revolution
|
| Moïse Bombito
|
22
|
D
|
Montréal, QC
|
New Hampshire
|
Colorado Rapids
|
| Hamady Diop
|
20
|
D
|
Dakar, Senegal
|
Clemson
|
Charlotte FC
|
| CJ Fodrey
|
18
|
M
|
San Diego, CA
|
San Diego State
|
Austin FC
|
| Bertin Jacquesson
|
21
|
F
|
Lorrez-le-Bocage-Préaux, France
|
Pittsburgh
|
Real Salt Lake
|
| Shak Mohammed
|
19
|
F
|
Kumasi, Ghana
|
Duke
|
Orlando City SC
|
| J.C. Ngando
|
23
|
M
|
Paris, France
|
UNC Greensboro
|
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
|
| Owen O'Malley
|
21
|
M
|
Cary, NC
|
Creighton
|
St. Louis City SC
|
| Ilijah Paul
|
20
|
F
|
Gilbert, AZ
|
Washington
|
Real Salt Lake
|
| Joey Skinner
|
19
|
D
|
Charlotte, NC
|
Clemson
|
Nashville SC
|
2024
The two-member 2024 class was announced on December 19, 2023, the same day as the 2024 MLS SuperDraft.[10]
2025
The 2025 class was announced on December 18, 2024, prior to the 2025 MLS SuperDraft.[11]
Project-40 in the A-League
| Year
|
Division
|
League
|
Reg. Season
|
Playoffs
|
Open Cup
|
| 1998
|
2
|
USISL A-League
|
5th, Pacific
|
did not qualify
|
did not qualify
|
| 1999
|
USL A-League
|
2nd, Central
|
Quarterfinals
|
| 2000
|
4th, Central
|
did not qualify
|
3rd round
|
References
- ^ "U.S. U-20 players headline 2006 class". ESPNFC.com.
- ^ "McCabe Explains Generation adidas". US Soccer Players.
- ^ "US Soccer Players". ussoccerplayers.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2004. Retrieved January 29, 2007.
- ^ Palmer, Tod (May 16, 2014). "Generation adidas program has been beneficial to Sporting KC". Kansas City Star. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ Galarcep, Ives (December 10, 2008). "The Generation adidas targets". Soccer By Ives. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ Firchau, Nick (April 2, 2020). "Project-40: The story of the original MLS youth super team". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ "MLS announces 2017 Generation adidas class and senior signings". MLSSoccer.com.
- ^ "2023 Generation adidas class announced". MLSsoccer.com. December 19, 2022. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "Charlotte FC picks Clemson's Hamady Diop No. 1 in MLS SuperDraft". ESPN. Reuters. December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "2024 Generation adidas class announced". MLSsoccer.com. December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
- ^ "2025 Generation adidas class announced". MLSsoccer.com. December 18, 2024. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
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