18 Breakout Players at the 2025 Generation Adidas Cup

The 2025 Generation Adidas Cup at IMG Academy showcased elite young soccer talent from 80 academies around the world.

• Real Salt Lake dominated with a historic 4-0 win in the U16 championship
• Orlando City’s dynamic duo powered their U18 championship with rapid-fire goals
• The inaugural Girls Academy Division made history with impressive performances

The 2025 Generation Adidas Cup (April 12-20) was a world-class showcase where future soccer stars got to shine on a big stage. From RSL’s commanding U16 championship to Orlando City’s thrilling U18 victory and the exciting inaugural Girls Academy Division featuring two All-Star squads, these 17 young players announced themselves on the global stage.

Real Salt Lake U-16: A Historic 4-0 Rout

Real Salt Lake’s youth team won their first Generation Adidas Cup since 2008 with a commanding 4-0 victory over LA Galaxy on April 20. These three players led the way:

Van Parker (Forward)

Parker scored twice in the final against LA Galaxy. His smart movement confused defenders all game. He also added a vital second goal in RSL’s 2-0 quarterfinal win over Charlotte FC, showing his talent for scoring when it matters most. His hold up play and offensive attack proved why he is a talent.

Rylan Hashimoto (Forward)

Hashimoto shared the final-day scoring with Parker, getting two goals himself. Earlier, he delivered the crucial equalizer in a dramatic 1-1 draw (and eventual shootout win) over Club América on Day 2. He showed both calm under pressure and cool finishing skills.

Konstantinos Kyriazis (Goalkeeper)

This talented keeper anchored RSL’s rock-solid defense with clean sheets in all three knockout matches. He was especially masterful in the semifinal and even saved a penalty kick to help his team reach the final.

Orlando City U-18: Rapid Fire Goals & Relentless Press

Orlando City’s U-18s powered through group and knockout play to claim the Championship trophy. Two players stood out:

Gustavo Caraballo (Midfielder/Forward)

Caraballo showed his versatility as both creator and finisher. He whipped in the cross that Justin Ellis swept home in a penalty-kick shootout win over Inter Milan on Day 1. Then in the final, he converted two goals to earn Man of the Match honors.

Justin Ellis (Striker)

As the tournament’s top scorer, Ellis was unstoppable. He opened Orlando’s knockout round with an early goal against Santos Laguna and buried the equalizer from Caraballo’s low service in their 1-1 group-stage draw. His relentless pressing forced turnovers in key moments on the path to victory.

More Notable Performances

Maxim Scordo (Colorado Rapids U18)

Scored the quarterfinal winner against Chicago Fire to send Rapids to the semifinals, showcasing clinical finishing and composure under pressure  .

Aaron Medina (LA Galaxy U16) 

Tallied a decisive brace in the semifinal win over PSV Eindhoven (goals in the 5th and 73rd minutes), propelling Galaxy into the U‑16 final with a thrilling 3–2 victory  .

Prince Forfor (Columbus Crew U16)

Netted a brace in the Round of 16, scoring in the 24th and 30th minutes to power Crew past San Jose Earthquakes and into the quarterfinals  .

Eloi Breton (CF Montréal U16) 

Bagged a first‑half brace in the quarterfinal win over Barça Residency Academy, demonstrating clinical finishing to secure a 2–1 victory and a semifinal berth  .

Kaiden Moore (Atlanta United U18) 

Drilled the winning penalty in a shootout against Inter Milan after a 0–0 draw, showcasing nerve‑shredding composure to book Atlanta’s spot in the elite eight.

Girls Academy All-Stars: Pioneering the Inaugural Division

Making history in the first-ever GA Cup Girls Division, these five players delivered exciting moments in group play and the semifinals:

Sydney May (GA Blue All-Stars, CM)

This box-to-box midfielder gave Blue the lead with a well-timed finish in their 2-1 semifinal win over GA Red. She ran tirelessly throughout the tournament, dictating the tempo of play with her energy and vision.

Maddi Sorg (GA Blue All-Stars, CM)

A creative force in midfield, Sorg crafted three assists and scored the match-winner in group play. Her pin-point passing and composure under pressure made her stand out.

Brooklyn St. James (GA Red All-Stars, W)

Using her blazing speed, St. James roared back with an equalizer against GA Blue and continued to cut through defenses all tournament. She constantly stretched defenses with her pace and direct running.

Isabella Ortiz (GA Blue All-Stars, CM)

Ortiz anchored Blue’s midfield with intelligent positioning, excellent ball retention, and finishing. She helped the All-Stars maintain control in tight games after being named on the official roster released April 10.

Sienna Fallone (GA Red All-Stars, CM)

Named Player of the Match in their first match, Fallone’s calm distribution and organizational skills in midfield proved vital to Red’s solid performance throughout the group stage.

Emma Peterson (GA Blue All-Stars, FB)

Shut down the flank in every game, winning 10 tackles and delivering two goal‑line blocks in group play, while also supporting attacks with overlapping runs.

Molly McGuire (GA Red All‑Stars, AM)

Molly came alive in the quarterfinal with a stunning long‑range strike and added a through‑ball assist, showcasing both shooting range and vision.

Brinley Walsh (GA Red All‑Stars, CB)

Controlled the backline with her combination of speed, footwork, and strength. Walsh was able to transition her tackles into counterattacks throughout the GA Cup.

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