LIVE BLOG: Charlotte FC Academy at 2025 Generation adidas Cup

Generation adidas Cup is back and Charlotte FC’s U-16 and U-18 squads are headed down to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida to face off against some of the top Academy squads in the world. The 2025 edition of the tournament runs from April 12-20 and will welcome 80 teams from 14 different countries.

Check back in with this live blog to follow along, check results and find broadcast information as The Crown kicks off its fourth-ever Generation adidas Cup run.

U-16 Schedule and Results:
Charlotte FC’s U-16 squad will kick off its GA Cup run on Saturday, April 12 at 10:00 a.m. ET against K.R.C. Genk. The Belgian club is widely regarded as a development powerhouse, producing international superstars such as Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne, Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois and D.C. United’s Christian Benteke, among many others. The U-16s will also face off against MLS academy sides FC Cincinnati (4/13) and Seattle Sounders FC (4/14) for the first time this season.

Ahead of the tournament, defender Jeremiah Alexander-Munoz was named to the 2025 Generation adidas Cup Rising XI, highlighting 11 of the top young prospects at MLS academies that will be participating in the tournament. Cited for his passing ability and physical abilities, Alexander-Munoz will certainly be one to watch at the tournament.

The U-16s currently sit in fourth place in the East (South) Division with a 6W-6L-3D record (21 points), trailing third place Orlando City SC (28 points).

Group Stage:
4/12 - Charlotte FC vs. K.R.C. Genk - W, 2-1
4/13 - Charlotte FC vs. FC Cincinnati - D, 2-2 (4-5 PKs)
4/14 - Charlotte FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC - **W, 1-0

Championship Playoff:
**4/16 - Charlotte FC vs. Philadelphia Union @ 11:30 a.m.

For a full list of U-16 matches and results, click HERE.

U-18 Schedule and Results:
Charlotte FC’s U-18 side will open up GA Cup against international foe C.A. Club Atlético Independiente on Saturday, April 12 at 2:30 p.m. ET. The U-18s then face Western Conference academies Austin FC and LA Galaxy, setting up an anticipated rematch between the two squads that previously met in the 2024 U-17 MLS NEXT Cup Final, where LA Galaxy walked away with a 4-1 victory.

The U-18s currently sit in fourth place in the East (South) Division with a 3W-7L-5D record (14 points), trailing Atlanta United FC and Inter Miami CF, who are tied for second place with 19 points.

Group Stage:
4/12 - Charlotte FC vs. Club Atlético Independiente - D, 0-0 (4-5 PKs)
4/13 - Charlotte FC vs. Austin FC - W, 1-0
4/14 - Charlotte FC vs. LA Galaxy - **L, 3-1

Premier Bracket:
**4/16 - Charlotte FC vs. Leicester City FC @ 2:00 p.m.

For a full list of U-18 matches and results, click HERE.

What is Generation adidas Cup and what does it mean for CLTFC?
Generation adidas Cup is one of the premier international youth tournaments that will feature 80 teams, representing 14 countries and four continents. Clubs participating include international powerhouses FC Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, PSV Eindhoven and VfB Stuttgart, among others.

The event not only provides clubs and players a platform to showcase themselves against top-level talent, but the chance to hone their skills and tactics with MLS NEXT Flex and MLS NEXT Cup right around the corner. With numerous international scouts from around the globe in attendance, players also have the opportunity to kick off their professional journey by displaying their skills.

Competition Structure:

40 teams, organized into 10 groups of four, will compete in each of the two age groups (U-16 and U-18)

Groups were drawn at random, categorized by division for MLS academies, while international clubs were drawn at random.

16 teams will advance to the single-elimination championship bracket, which is made up of the 10 groups winners and the top six second-place finishers.

The next-best 16 teams will enter a consolation bracket, with the final eight teams competing in consolation groups to provide additional competitive matches.