This year’s Generation adidas class is made up of five talents, including a goalkeeper and a former Manchester United academy player.
MLS announced the GA signings for 2016 on Thursday, and they include Josh Yaro, Richie Laryea, Jack Harrison, Julian Buescher and Andrew Tarbell. The league also revealed that it had signed Stanford defender Brandon Vincent.
BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year Yaro is arguably the draft’s highest-rated player, while attack-minded Laryea and Buescher led their respective programs — Akron and Syracuse, respectively — to College Cup appearances. After an incredible junior season, Tarbell enters the draft as the top-rated goalkeeper.
Meanwhile, former Man United academy attacker Harrison just completed his freshman season at Wake Forest, but has opted to become a professional after scoring eight goals and providing 11 assists.
As has been the case, GA players do not count against an MLS team’s salary budget.
The players will have a chance to showcase their talents in the MLS Combine, which runs from Thursday until next Tuesday. The MLS Draft will take place on Jan. 14.
What do you think of this GA class? Which player do you think has the most potential?
Share your thoughts below.
How many years does a GA player not count against a team’s salary cap? Just the 1st yr or for the duration of the GA contract or for another set number of years?
I believe it is roughly until they turn 23, or until MLS deems they’ve “graduated”
Yeah, I’m sure you’ll be shocked to learn that no one really knows how long GA status lasts (MLS after all). If you google the subject, you’ll find a scant number of articles that attempt to indirectly determine it. The consensus conclusion seemed to be that it’s based on minutes played. I guess the thinking is that the GA program is for the player’s development and as long as they are still learning they are in the GA class. Once they demonstrate that they have become a MLS regular, then the salary goes on your books. Probably.
I thought Omar Holness was a done deal