The San Jose Earthquakes U-16 Academy side has been placed in Group C of the 2016 Generation adidas Cup International bracket starting March 18 in Frisco, Texas. Head coach Paul Holocher and his team will face Columbus Crew SC, UniversidadDe Chile and Villarreal CF in the group stages.
<center>San Jose Earthquakes</center> |
<center>Columbus Crew SC</center> |
<center>U. De Chile</center> |
<center>Villarreal CF</center> |
Friday, March 18 |
1:00 p.m. PT |
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Columbus Crew SC |
Sunday, March 20 |
1:00 p.m. PT |
San Jose Earthquakes vs. U. De Chile |
Tuesday, March 22 |
3:00 p.m. PT |
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Villarreal CF** |
**Match will be livestreamed on MLSSoccer.com
“It is an exciting draw for us in this Generation adidas International bracket,” Holocher said. “Obviously, we don’t know much about the international opponents, Villarreal and Universidad de Chile, but what is for sure is their quality. We expect Villarreal, as a La Liga youth academy, to be a team that wants to control the game in possession, likely to press, and highly technical.
“I am not sure of the favored playing formation or philosophy of Universidad de Chile, but we know they will be highly competitive and physical. Columbus Crew SC academy looks to build from the back and wants to be good in possession. We played Columbus at the December Showcase so have a good feel for how they look to play.”
If the U-16's were to finish top of Group C, they will play in a semifinal match at Toyota Stadium - home of MLS side FC Dallas - Thursday, March 24. The Generation adidas Cup Final will take place Saturday, March 26 at the same venue.
The U-16’s advanced to the International Bracket of the 2016 Generation adidas Cup with a +14-goal differential and a 5-1 record against the LA Galaxy, Seattle Sounders FC and Colorado Rapids.
