HOUSTON, TX - Houston Dynamo defender Patrick Ianni will represent Major League Soccer in the Generation adidas program, which is scheduled to last 10 days, and carried out in England, it was announced today.
Ianni will join coach Sigi Schmid and 19 other players from MLS on Friday, December 1, as the group leaves for London. There, the team will carry out contests against Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Queens Park Rangers, and Watford. The Generation adidas team will also hold training sessions at the Chelsea Academy, and attend two Premiere League games and a Champions League match.
Established ahead of the 2005 regular season, Generation adidas is Major League Soccer's Youth Development Program, which is designed to identify and nurture elite youth soccer talent in the United States. In addition to having the opportunity to train and play on a weekly basis with one of MLS' 13 professional teams, those players who belong to Generation adidas also receive educational grants to further their college education.
TENTATIVE PROGRAM ITINERARY
FRI. DEC. 1 Depart US for London
SAT. DEC. 2 Arrive London Airport
Training Chelsea Academy
SUN. DEC.3 Training at Chelsea Academy
MON. DEC.4 Match 1 - Generation adidas at QPR Reserve Team
TUE. DEC. 5 Match 2 - Generation adidas at Crystal Palace Reserve Team
Transfer to Stamford Bridge
Attend Champions League - Chelsea vs. Levski Sofia at Stamford Bridge
WED. DEC.6 Training at Chelsea Academy
Transfer to Upton Park
Attend West Ham vs. Wigan at Upton Park
THU. DEC. 7 Transfer to Watford
Match 3 - Generation adidas vs. Watford Reserve Team
Transfer to Cobham
FRI. DEC. 8 Transfer to Chelsea Academy
Match 4 - Generation adidas vs. Chelsea Reserve Team (TBC)
SAT. DEC.9 Transfer to Liverpool
Attend Liverpool vs. Fulham at Anfield</p>
SUN. DEC. 10 Return Flight to US
Generation adidas 2006 tour participants:
GOALKEEPER: Brad Guzan (Chivas USA)
DEFENDERS: Hunter Freeman (Colorado Rapids), Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Drew Moor (FC Dallas), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Nathan Sturgis (Los Angeles Galaxy), Blake Wagner (FC Dallas), Tim Ward (Columbus Crew)
MIDFIELDERS: Nik Besagno (Real Salt Lake), Christian Jimenez (Real Salt Lake), Quavas Kirk (Los Angeles Galaxy), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas)
FORWARDS: David Arvizu (New York Red Bulls), Chad Barrett (Chicago Fire), Kei Kamara (Columbus Crew), Jacob Peterson (Colorado Rapids), Ryan Pore (Kansas City Wizards), Willie Sims (New England Revolution), Jamie Watson (Real Salt Lake)
COACH: Sigi Schmid (Columbus Crew)
