80 teams from around the world have gathered in Bradenton, Florida to compete for a GA Championship at the U15 and U17 levels.
The 2024 MLS Generation Adidas Cup tournament has arrived, and it's set to be the most global version in its 15-year existence. Every MLS academy will be represented along with 49 different club academies from 15 countries across four continents.
In total, 80 teams, 40 in each age respective U15 and U17 age group, are set to compete at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. March 30-April 7.
Scouts from all over the world will be present to find the next hidden gems in youth soccer, while Manchester City fans will get their first televised glimpse of 'the best 14-year-old in the world' Cavan Sullivan amid reports he's signed with the Premier League giants.
Ex-Chelsea defender Filipe Luis's U17 Flamengo side will look to leave their mark, while Manchester United's U15 team features two club legends sons in its XI. And for the USMNT, the next starlet may announce his presence on the world's premier youth footballing stage.
GOAL takes a look at top prospects in the field this year, how to watch and more below…
WHAT IS THE GA CUP?
The GA Cup is one of the premier annual male youth soccer events in the world. Top prospects at the U15 and U17 level go head-to-head in a pinnacle event featuring MLS academy teams and top-tier club academy sides from around the globe.
The 2024 edition features clubs from Asia, North America, South America and Europe. Overall, 40 teams, split in to 10 groups of four, will compete in a group stage before the top-16 teams are sent into a single-elimination bracket — and then 10 group-winners and the six-best second place finishers will compete for the title. The next best-16 sides won't go home, though, as they'll compete in a consolation bracket.
Matches are played with 30-minute halves, and if the result of the regulation format ends in a draw, teams will settle the match from the spot in a penalty shootout.
AdvertisementHOW TO WATCH THE 2024 GA CUP
For the first-time ever, matches from the GA Cup will be streamed on Apple TV on MLS Season Pass. In total, 28 games, including the championship match from both the U15 and U17 age groups, will be streamed for viewers around the world.
The entire broadcast schedule can be seen below.
March 30
10 am ET | U15 | Atlanta United vs. Manchester United FC (England) | 10am ET
12 pm ET | U15 | New York Red Bulls vs. Toulouse FC (France)
2:30 pm ET | U17s | CF Montréal vs. AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands)
4:30 pm ET | U17s | Philadelphia Union vs. Atlas FC (Mexico)
March 31
10 am ET | U15 | Orlando City SC vs. Arsenal FC (England)
12 pm ET | U15 | Portland Timbers vs. Sporting CP (Portugal)
2:30 pm ET | U17s | Seattle Sounders FC vs. HNK Hajduk Split (Croatia)
4:30 pm ET | U17s | LAFC vs. River Plate (Argentina)
April 1
10 am ET | U15 | KRC Genk (Belgium) vs. FC Dallas 1
2 pm ET | U15 | Valencia CF (Spain) vs. Austin FC
2:30 pm ET | U17 | Flamengo (Brazil) vs. St. Louis CITY SC
4:30 pm ET | U17 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (South Korea) vs. Houston Dynamo FC
April 3
10 am ET | U15 Round of 16
12 pm ET | U15 Round of 16
2:30 pm ET | U17 Round of 16
5 pm ET | U17 Round of 16
April 4
10 am ET | U15 Quarterfinal
12 pm ET | U15 Quarterfinal
2:30 pm ET | U17 Quarterfinal
5 pm ET | U17 Quarterfinal
April 6
10 am ET | U15 Semifinal
12 pm ET | U15 Semifinal
2:30 pm ET | U17 Semifinal
5 pm ET | U17 Semifinal
April 7
10 am ET | U15 Consolation Final (Premier)
12 pm ET | U15 Championship Final
2:30 pm ET | U17 Consolation Final (Premier)
5 pm ET | U17 Championship Final
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty/GOALWHEN DOES CAVAN SULLIVAN PLAY?
After notching an assist on his professional debut with Philadelphia Union II in MLS NEXT Pro action, the 14-year-old, who is set to sign for Manchester City, will make his 2024 GA cup debut this weekend.
Sullivan will be competing with the Union U17 squad, after making the championship game with the U15 squad in 2023. The reigning champions, the Union U17s will start their title defense with Sullivan on Saturday March 30 against Liga MX side Atlas FC. Then, on Sunday, they clash with MLS side FC Cincinnati before taking on the Vancouver Whitecaps on Monday.
All three matches will kick off at 4:30 pm ET, with Saturday's match being the lone contest streamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
U15 PLAYERS TO WATCH
James Donaldson | Goalkeeper | U15 Atlanta United
A USYNT Star at the U15 level, Donaldson is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers competing at the MLS NEXT level in the U15 age group.
Jelle Driessen | Midfielder | U15 KRC Genk
Driessen is the captain of the Belgium U15 youth national team and recently signed a professional contract with the club in 2024. Regarded as one of the best domestic talents in the league, he has a big future.
Jacey Carrick | Midfielder | U15 Manchester United
Son of Man United legend Michael, he was added to the Red Devils academy in 2016 at the age of six. Consistently playing a role across all academy levels over the years, this is his first GA Cup, where he will have an opportunity to make a name for himself on an international stage.
Kai Rooney | Forward | U15 Manchester United
Son of England, Everton and Manchester United legend Wayne, Kai was added to the Red Devils academy in 2016. He is also an England youth international, with prolific scoring rates at the club level. In 2022, he scored 56 goals and had 28 assists for the Man United academy. Expectations are high for the forward this GA cup.
