The 12 most talked-about MLS youth prospects at the Generation Adidas Cup

Mar 30, 2024; Bradenton, FL, USA; The Philadelphia Union Under-17 squad’s Cavan Sullivan plays during the Generation adidas Cup at IMG Academy. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
By Tom Bogert
Apr 8, 2024

By the end of last week, the well-manicured pitches at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida were worn from a week of (mostly) nonstop action by the country’s premier youth talents at the Generation Adidas (GA) Cup.

Lurking around any given field could be a representative from a European club assessing the talent of the future; the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Schalke and Sporting Lisbon had scouts on hand. So too were there youth national team reps for the United States, Mexico, Canada and Jamaica.There were also plenty of agents looking for new clients, and college head coaches on hand looking to boost their programs.

Advertisement

The tournament featured all 29 MLS academies plus select international teams that this year included Arsenal, Manchester United, River Plate, Flamengo, Jeonbuk Hyundai, PSV and others. In the end, the Philadelphia Union came out on top of the U-17 division, beating the LA Galaxy in the final on penalties.

While the tournament may be in the news now for the multiple contentious incidents involving racist insults, it will also be remembered for the numerous stars of the future that caught some attention.

Here, then, are some of those players – focusing on the U.S.-based talents. Scouts and high-level club executives who are quoted did so anonymously to discuss internal evaluations freely.

Only players featuring for U-17 teams are listed below. There were plenty of exciting U15 talents but so much can happen between that age and, hopefully, turning pro.

Cavan Sullivan, Philadelphia Union | Born 2009

Manchester City-bound wonderkid Cavan Sullivan is 14 years old and was playing up with the Philadelphia Union U-17s — it’d be useless for him to be with the U-15s given this stage of his development.

He had an up-and-down tournament. The attacker showed quality on the ball, excellent technique and IQ but struggled to make a consistent big impact. With the hype around him, other teams will always get up for games against Sullivan and Philly to try to prove they’re on his level too. It’s natural.

Sullivan has an edge, as detailed in our feature about him. That mentality is why those around him believe he’ll make it, but the negative side came out against Hajduk Split as he picked up a red card late in the game. He was suspended for the semifinals, which the Union advanced from, then returned for the final and scored as the Union lifted the trophy.

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Cavan Sullivan, the 14-year-old American 'diamond' Man City will pay $2 million for

Mathis Albert, LA Galaxy | Born 2009

LA Galaxy academy winger Mathis Albert has exploded over the last year and earned a call-up to join the second team in preseason this winter, with which he impressed in a friendly against FC Nordsjælland.

Albert’s talent is such that multiple scouts said he is viewed in the same elite class as Sullivan, with one preferring Albert to Sullivan in terms of potential.

Advertisement

Another said simply: “He’s Cavan Sullivan without the hype.”

The winger is known for his excellent dribbling and ability to turn those moments into goal contributions.

Albert, 14, is unlikely to be in the U.S. much longer. He has a French passport, which enables him to move to Europe earlier than most Americans in MLS academies. There are no shortage of teams trying to poach him from France, the Netherlands and elsewhere, sources briefed on the situation say.

Neil Pierre, Philadelphia Union | Born 2007

U.S. youth international center back Neil Pierre is a very interesting prospect. The Union defender stands at 6-foot-5 already at 16 years old and has made nine appearances with Philly’s second team in MLS Next Pro. He trained with Spanish La Liga side Real Sociedad last winter.

Pierre had a strong tournament, and was named man of the match in the team’s round of 16  win over Jeonbuk. Pierre seemed to win every duel in that 1-0 victory, and was integral to the Union winning the tournament.

Jamir Johnson, Philadelphia Union | Born 2008

Midfielder Jamir Johnson, 15, is yet another a top talent progressing within the Philadelphia Union’s academy.

Johnson scored the game-winner against Jeonbuk, and also scored a brace in a win against Vancouver in the group stage.

Much of the interest around Johnson centers on his versatility and where he may project long-term. He may be a winger, but the Union don’t play with wingers so he’s developed elsewhere to great effect. He could be an attacking midfielder, but Sullivan has mostly played there for the U-17s when they both start. Instead, Johnson has impacted the game as an attack-minded central midfielder in the Union’s diamond.

Advertisement

Johnson doesn’t yet have a homegrown deal, but I would imagine that’ll be a priority once Sullivan’s deal is official.

Diego Rocío, Philadelphia Union | Born 2007

Diego Rocío was named GA Cup U-17 Player of the Tournament as the Union won ths trophy

Rocío scored both goals in the Union’s 2-0 semifinal win over Flamengo then scored in the final against the Galaxy. He’s eligible for both the United States and Mexico and made his professional debut with the Union’s second team this year already.

Maximo Carrizo, NYCFC | Born 2008

Maximo Carrizo became the youngest player in MLS history to sign a first-team deal two years ago, inking with NYCFC on his 14th birthday.

The talented attacking midfielder has featured with both the United States and Argentine youth national teams. Now 16, he’s working on continuing his progression with NYCFC. Carrizo already has 27 pro appearances, all with the club’s second team. He should be a mainstay in the second team this year as he hopes to push for his MLS debut.

Scouts tell The Athletic they feel strongly that Carrizo projects as a No. 10 or maybe a creative, inverted winger on the right where he can drift centrally. Their point is he can’t be a traditional winger at this point but could develop as a free No. 8 in a 4-3-3.

Carrizo’s technique is special. Like Sullivan, he also has an edge to him that can go a step too far. In NYCFC’s 4-2 loss to PSV, Carrizo was fouled in the buildup to a goal. Behind the play when he was on the ground, he kicked out at the PSV defender, but the referee didn’t see it. In a competition with VAR, it’s likely that goal would have been called back and Carrizo sent off.

Advertisement

Adri Mehmeti, New York Red Bulls | Born 2009

A scout told The Athletic that New York Red Bulls defensive midfielder Adri Mehmeti, 15, is the best midfield prospect coming through for the club since U.S. mainstay Tyler Adams.

RBNY has produced the likes of Daniel Edelman (U.S. U-20 World Cup captain, first-team starter), Peter Stroud (Duke standout) and Bento Estrella (U.S. and Portugal youth international) in the time since Adams, so that’s high praise.

Mehmeti, who just turned 15 this weekend, trained with RB Salzburg this winter. He was with the New York second team in preseason and made his competitive debut with RBNY II in the U.S. Open Cup’s first round.

Mehmeti was part of the Red Bulls U-17 team that pulled out of the GA Cup due to multiple alleged racial incidents directed at his teammates.

Jude Terry, LAFC | Born 2008

LAFC defensive midfielder Jude Terry is a highly-rated talent and regular with the U.S. youth national team. He’s also eligible for Mexico.

The 15-year-old is described by scouts as having clean technique, excellent decisiveness both on and off the ball, as well as a strong soccer IQ that drives his movement and positioning. Terry has made two appearances in MLS Next Pro for LAFC’s second team.

While LAFC has had plenty of success in developing young talent, most of the notable examples come from players acquired rather than developed from the academy. LAFC hasn’t truly had a homegrown talent break through to a regular role in the first team. Maybe Terry can be the heir apparent to Ilie Sanchez as a tempo-setting, holding midfielder.

Advertisement

Stefan Chirila, FC Cincinnati | Born 2007

FC Cincinnati academy forward Stefan Chirila won the GA Cup Golden Boot, and made his MLS Next Pro debut with Cincy’s second team earlier this year.

Chirila, 17, joined the Cincy academy from Philly last year.

Chirila’s strike partner at this tournament was a guest player, German-American dual-national Jykese Fields. Fields currently plays for Hoffenheim but Cincy is trying to bring him into their academy setup. He has three goals and five assists in 703 minutes for the Hoffenheim U-17s this season.

Zavier Gozo, Real Salt Lake | Born 2007

Real Salt Lake winger Zavier Gozo was one of the top talents to watch heading into the tournament, a player who has already signed a homegrown contract, made his MLS debut and has plenty of professional appearances with the second team.

Gozo, 17, trained with RB Salzburg this winter.

Miguel Alvarado, Colorado Rapids | Born 2008

Colorado Rapids academy left back Miguel Alvarado has progressed through the academy, making his MLS Next Pro debut this year.

Alvarado impressed with his duel-winning ability against the ball and technical quality on it. The U.S. youth international was part of his country’s team that won the U-15 CONCACAF Championships last year. He’s firmly in the mix for the U-17 World Cup squad next year.

Austyn Jones, PSV Eindhoven | Born 2008

I broke my own rule here, because Austyn Jones is a Dutch youth international who plays for PSV, but he’s got an American passport and The Athletic spotted several U.S. Soccer youth national team scouts chatting with him after one game. He is very much on the United States’ radar.

Jones, who turns 16 in April, scored twice in PSV’s 4-2 win against NYCFC.

The forward featured in February for the Dutch U-16 national team in friendlies, where he scored twice against Japan.

(Photo: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports)

Get all-access to exclusive stories.

Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Try a week on us.

Tom Bogert

Tom Bogert is a staff writer for The Athletic, providing exclusive and unique insights on MLS and the U.S. national team. He has previously written for MLSsoccer.com, The Guardian, and more.