SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper David Bingham will continue his offseason international travels as part of the Generation adidas Tour in the Netherlands from Dec. 5-15. The tour gives 18 emerging MLS stars the chance to train at the world-renowned Ajax Academy in Amsterdam and compete in friendly matches against Ajax Reserves as well as Dutch second-division clubs FC Volendum and Almere City FC.
Bingham recently returned from a 10-day Olympic training camp with the United States U-23s in Germany. During his time overseas, the 22-year-old keeper started and played 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw against a mix of Bayer Leverkusen first teamers and reserves.
Bingham featured in one match as a rookie with the Earthquakes in 2011, a 2-1 win against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on Oct. 8. He made four saves in that match and recorded his first career assist after launching a ball off the turf 70 yards down field to set up a goal by Chris Wondolowski.
The Generation adidas goalkeeper also saw time in exhibition and Reserve League matches. Bingham started and kept a clean sheet for 45 minutes against West Bromwich Albion of the English Premier League on July 13 at Buck Shaw Stadium. He also scored a goal against the Baggies, a 90-yard strike off the grass that bounced over West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill for San Jose’s first goal in a 2-1 win (Watch: www.sjearthquakes.com/binghamgoal). Bingham also started in two Quakes Reserve League games, compiling a 2-0-1 record with a 0.33 goals-against average and two shutouts.
The tour itinerary and roster are below. Sporting Kansas City Coach Peter Vermes and his staff will manage the Generation adidas team during the tour.
“This annual offseason tour is invaluable for young players, and we are excited to see this talented group come together in the Netherlands,” MLS Executive Vice President Todd Durbin said. “Our players’ development is enhanced by their exposure to legendary clubs like Ajax and the opportunity to compete against their peers in other countries.”
The tour is part of the ongoing commitment that adidas has made to help advance soccer in the United States and Canada through MLS. Players who join MLS through the Generation adidas program are provided unique opportunities to hone their skills, develop as professionals, and receive educational grants. Generation adidas players do not count against an MLS team’s salary budget.
While in Amsterdam, the team will also attend a UEFA Champions League match between two of the most successful professional soccer clubs ever – Ajax and Real Madrid – on Dec. 7 at the Amsterdam Arena. Three days later, the team will travel to Alkmaar and watch Generation adidas graduate Jozy Altidore’s club, AZ, host De Graafschap in a top-flight Dutch league (Eredivisie) match at AFAS Stadion.
TOUR ITINERARY
Dec. 5 - Generation adidas players depart for Amsterdam
Dec. 6 - Training (Ajax Academy fields)
Dec. 7 - Training (Ajax Academy fields)
-Team to attend UEFA Champions League match – Ajax vs. Real Madrid
Dec. 8 - Game 1: Generation adidas vs. Ajax Reserve team (Ajax Academy fields)
Dec. 9 - Training (Ajax Academy fields)
Dec. 10 - Training (Ajax Academy fields)
- Attendance Eredivisie Match - AZ Alkmaar vs. De Graafschap
Dec. 11 - Training (Ajax Academy fields)
Dec. 12 - Training (Ajax Academy fields)
- Team to attend match: Ajax U23 vs. PSV U23
Dec. 13 - Game 2: Generation adidas vs. FC Volendam (in Volendam)
Dec. 14 - Game 3: Generation adidas vs. Almere City FC (in Almere)
Dec. 15 - Generation adidas players depart for U.S.
2011 Generation adidas Roster
GOALKEEPERS: David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Zac MacMath (Philadelphia Union)
DEFENDERS: Kevin Alston (New England Revolution), Sacir Hot (New York Red Bulls), Conor Shanosky (D.C. United), Kofi Sarkodie (Houston Dynamo), Michael Tetteh (Seattle Sounders FC), Zarek Valendin (Montreal Impact)
MIDFIELDERS: Dilly Duka (Columbus Crew), Amobi Okugo (Philadelphia Union), Luis Gil (Real Salt Lake), Matt Kassel (New York Red Bulls), Jack McInerney (Philadelphia Union), Tony Tchani (Columbus Crew)
FORWARDS: Will Bruin (Houston Dynamo), Corey Hertzog (New York Red Bulls), Danny Mwanga (Philadelphia Union), Omar Salgado (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
MANAGER: Peter Vermes (Sporting Kansas City)
