Academy: U-17s in Toronto for Generation Adidas Cup Qualifiers

International competition is a huge part of our motto to develop players. We need to qualify for an international event here in our own turf. There is a lot of hunger, I think the boys know what's on the line and we want to play as many high level international games as possible. - Luchi Gonzalez

FC Dallas U-17s started their first of two rounds of qualifiers for the Generation Adidas Cup this weekend in Toronto. The tournament puts the best MLS Academies against the best from around the world. 

“We are ready for the challenge, this is very important for our identity to compete and do well across conference representing MLS in this GA Cup is important for us so we want to qualify and take care of business and doing that with this early stage of this year in Toronto “, said Academy Director Luchi Gonzalez. 

The 11th edition of Generation Adidas Cup features 19 MLS Teams split across three different regions: East, Central and West. FC Dallas is looking to bring the same momentum from regular season in which they have won all three of their matches to the Adidas Cup qualifier rounds. For some of the FC Dallas Generation Adidas veterans it is a chance to redeem their score from last year. 

“We qualified and then we got to the actual GA tournament we lost our first and that kind of set us back. This year learning from that we know that we have to start strong and play every game like a final and hopefully make it to the final and win it”, said midfielder Nathan Toledo.

“This year we have a lot of veterans that played last year in the GA Cup qualifiers and we have a lot of newbies and young ones as well. The biggest challenge is going to be coming together and building that same chemistry getting the result that we want”, said forward Johan Gomez.

The FC Dallas U-17s look forward to not only player but team development and want to do so facing the best teams in the country and the future stars of MLS. The top teams of each group will advance to face international competition in the 2018 Generation Adidas Cup Finals that are taking place right at home at the Toyota Stadium. 

“International competition is a huge part of our motto to develop players. We need to qualify for an international event here in our own turf. There is a lot of hunger, I think the boys know what's on the line and we want to play as many high level international games as possible”, said Luchi Gonzalez. 

CENTRAL REGION 

Follow FC Dallas Academy news on Twitter and Facebook at @FCDallasYouth.