NEW YORK – On Monday a group of 19 players departed for Madrid, Spain representing this year’s Generation adidas team for 10 days of training and competitive matches in the Spanish capital.
The side will be coached by reigning MLS Coach of the Year Schellas Hyndman of FC Dallas and will train at the Real Madrid training facilities in Valdebebas. The trip will culminate with three matches against the reserve teams of Real Madrid (Dec. 2), Rayo Vallecano (Dec. 7) and Atlético Madrid (Dec. 8).
The 19 players represent 12 MLS clubs with FC Dallas, Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union each contributing three players each. Of the 15 players currently in the Generation adidas program, goalkeeper Josh Lambo (FC Dallas) and midfielder Blair Gavin (Chivas USA) will skip the trip.
The remaining group will be supplemented by Generation adidas program graduates Baggio Husidic (Chicago), Stefan Frei (Toronto), Brek Shea (FC Dallas) and Jeremy Hall (Portland) as well as homegrown products Juan Agudelo (New York) and Tristan Bowen (Los Angeles).
While in Madrid, the players will have the opportunity to attend a Real Madrid or Getafe La Liga match and the UEFA Champions League group stage finale between the Merengues and French club Auxerre at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
MLSsoccer.com is embedded with the team in Spain and will feature regular video updates through Dec. 9.
GENERATION ADIDAS
SQUAD
Goalkeepers (2): Stefan Frei (Toronto), Sean Johnson (Chicago)
Defenders (2): Jeremy Hall (Portland), Ike Opara (San Jose)
Midfielders (8): Corben Bone (Chicago), Danny Cruz (Houston), Dilly Duka (Columbus), Luis Gil (Real Salt Lake), Baggio Husidic (Chicago), Amobi Okugo (Philadelphia), Brek Shea (Dallas), Tony Tchani (New York)
Forwards (7): Juan Agudelo (New York), Tristan Bowen (Los Angeles), Teal Bunbury (Sporting Kansas City), Peri Marosevic (Dallas), Jack McInerney (Philadelphia), Danny Mwanga (Philadelphia), Andrew Wiedeman (Dallas)
Head Coach: Schellas Hyndman (Dallas)
Assistant / Goalkeeper Coach: Drew Keeshan (Dallas)
Head Athletic Trainer: Joshua Watts (Dallas)
Equipment Manager: Marcus Owens (FC Dallas)
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