The Portland Timbers’ U-16 Academy team opened its 2016-17 Generation adidas Cup campaign this past weekend, traveling to Commerce City, Colo., for three qualifying matches at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Grouped with academy teams from the Colorado Rapids, Seattle Sounders FC, LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake and the San Jose Earthquakes, the Timbers U-16s sit in fourth place in the West Region, following the results from the weekend, after producing one win and two losses.
After a 3-1 defeat to the Rapids in their opening fixture, the Timbers U-16s defeated the LA Galaxy academy side 3-1 before falling to Seattle Sounders FC’s U-16 team in their final match of the weekend.
The Generation adidas Cup, one the premier competitive youth soccer tournaments in North America, features 19 MLS Under-17 teams (players born on or after Jan. 1, 2000). The 10th edition kicks off with regional qualifying featuring MLS teams split across three different regions (East, Central, West). Qualifying matches in each region will take place over 2016 Columbus Day weekend and 2017 President's Day weekend (win = 3pts, PK shootout win = 2pts, PK shootout loss = 1pt, loss = 0pts).
The top teams from each group will advance to face international competition in the 2017 Generation adidas Cup Finals at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas from April 7 to April 15, 2017.
The Timbers U-16s will return to league play this weekend with two home matches, first taking on the San Jose Earthquakes on Sat. Oct. 15, before playing host to Juventus Sport Club on Sunday, Oct. 16.
