Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com
MLS announced the 18-man roster that will be making the trip to the Netherlands for the Generation adidas tour, with four players from the Philadelphia Union, up-and-coming Real Salt Lake midfielder Luis Gil and last year's No. 1 pick in the MLS SuperDraft, Omar Salgado, headlining the team.
Managed by Sporting Kansas City coach Peter Vermes, the group will be in the Netherlands from Dec. 5-15, where it will train at the Ajax academy and play in three friendlies as part of the tour.
The MLS group will take on an Ajax reserve team along with second-division sides FC Volendam and Almere City FC. They will also be in the stands for the Real Madrid-Ajax UEFA Champions League match in addition to catching Jozy Altidore's AZ Alkmaar taking on De Graafschap in a league game.
Here's the roster that will be making the trip:
MLS GENERATION ADIDAS TOUR ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS – David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Zac MacMath (Philadelphia Union).
DEFENDERS – Kevin Alston (New England Revolution), Sacir Hot (New York Red Bulls), Kofi Sarkodie (Houston Dynamo) Conor Shanosky (D.C. United), Michael Tetteh (Seattle Sounders), Zarek Valentin (Montreal Impact).
MIDFIELDERS – Dilly Duka (Columbus Crew), Luis Gil (Real Salt Lake), Matt Kassel (New York Red Bulls), Jack McInerney (Philadelphia Union), Amobi Okugo (Philadelphia Union), Tony Tchani (Columbus Crew).
FORWARDS – Will Bruin (Houston Dynamo), Corey Hertzog (New York Red Bulls), Danny Mwanga (Philadelphia Union), Omar Salgado (Vancouver Whitecaps).
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What do you think of the roster? Out of this bunch, who do you see breaking out in 2012?
Share your thoughts below.
How are Duka and Tchani on this roster if they are graduated?
(SBI-It’s just an exhibition squad, and while Duka and Tchani have “graduated” in that they now count on MLS rosters, they are STILL on Generation adidas contracts so therefore are still regarded as GA players.)
Players can graduate the program as early as after their rookie year. The only thing that changes is that their salary hits the cap once they graduate.
You are making a good observation about Shanosky being listed as a mid for DCU but as a defender for this GA team, but I think it is not uncommon to list players at different positions on select teams vs their club teams. I wouldn’t be surprised if McIrnery was listed as a forward for Union, while he is listed as a mid for the GA team.
Yes. I don’t know if they can decline to play, but I was intrigued when he wasn’t on the roster.
The baby Bulls are going to develop more in those 10 days than they did all season under Backe.
How so? He just finished his rookie year. I thought Gen Ad lasted 4-5 years?
This is an adidas / MLS initiative… hopefully USSF can get involved as well soon!
I’m assuming some players that would typically be available for something like this are not going based on training abroad, injuries, or simply because their teams want them to have a break. Nagbe, Kitchen, and Bunbury all fit those descriptions. Also, this program is a program between MLS and adidas… hopefully USSF will get involved soon!
Good luck to the boys! Let’s see if they can do as well as the group that went to Spain last year.
Shanosky is a defender? Someone should tell the coaches at DC United. They keep playing him in the midfield.
Seriously, someone should tell DC United’s coaches. He needs some meat on his bones, but hte kid is too tall and ungainly to be a midfielder. He needs to be in defense.
Perry is no longer a Generation Adidas player if I’m not mistaken?
Is Nagbe Gen Adidas?
so, uhh…. Can I come?
Meant to say “for Gil”
Future is so bright do Gil.
OLASDM is gonna wreck shop.
They should have added Perry Kitchen.
Kind of a weak defence
Great Great Great. Thank you USSF. Stepping up. Send our boys abroad to play and get the understanding of style and competitiveness
Great to see three NYRB on the team. Any idea if any of the matches will be online?
Awesome that they get to also see the Real v Ajax and Jozy play. Very cool.