Generation Adidas

Generation adidas is a youth player development program, in a joint venture between Major League Soccer (MLS) and U.S. Soccer, designed to identify and nurture elite youth soccer talent in the United States. Until 2005 the program was sponsored by Nike and known as Project-40.

As part of a partnership deal between the MLS and Adidas, the developmental league attempts to raise the level of youth soccer talent in the United States. The program encourages early entry of American players into MLS. Generation Adidas players are able to train and play on a weekly basis with an MLS club, recieve educational grants to further their education, and participate in matches and tours both domestically and overseas.

Generation adidas players do not count on MLS senior rosters and generally earn a much higher salary than the league minimum. Entering the program automatically classifies a player as professional, and thus disqualifies them from playing college soccer. However, players are guaranteed scholarships to continue their education should their professional soccer career not pan out.

The program has included current United States mens national team stars Tim Howard, Carlos Bocanegra, Clint Dempsey, Joze Altidore, and Michael Bradley as well as DeMarcus Beasley, Ben Olsen, Sacha Kljestan, Chad Marshall, and Freddy Adu.

The list of 2010 Generation Adidas signings include:
Danny Mwanga: Drafted 1st overall by the Philadelphia Union. 18 years old from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Played forward at Oregon State University.

Tony Tchani: Drafted 2nd overall by the New York Red Bulls. 20 years old from Norfolk, Virginia. Played midfield at the University of Virginia.

Ike Opara: Drafted 3rd overall by the San Jose Earthquakes. 20 years old from Durham, North Carolina. Played defense at Wake Forest University.

Teal Bunbury: Drafted 4th overall by the Kansas City Wizards. 19 years old from Prior Lake, Minnesota. Played forward at the University of Akron.

Amobi Okugu: Drafted 6th overall by the Philadelphia Union. 18 years old from Sacramento, California. Played midfield at UCLA.

Jack McInerney: Drafted 7th overall by the Philadelphia Union. 17 years old from Alpharetta, Georgia. Played forward for the U.S. U-17 national team.

Dilly Duka: Drafted 8th overall by the Columbus Crew. 20 years old from Montville, New Jersey. Played midfield at Rutgers University.

Blair Gavin: Drafted 10th overall by Chivas USA. 20 years old from Louisville, Kentucky. Played midfield at the University of Akron.

Corben Bone: Drafted 13th overall by the Chicago Fire. 21 years old from Plano, Texas. Played forward at Wake Forest University.

Andrew Weideman: Drafted 21st overall by FC Dallas. 20 years old from San Ramon, California. Played forward at the University of California.

Zachary Herold: Drafted 24th overall by Toronto FC. 17 years old from Port St. Lucie, Florida. Played defense for the U.S. U-17 national team.

Sean Johnson: Drafted 51st overall by the Chicago Fire. 20 years old from Lilburn, Georgia. Played defense at the University of Central Florida.

Generation adidas