From GA Cup to MLS, La Liga and more: Notable alumni from years past

The Generation adidas Cup truly brings together tomorrow's stars today.

As one of the world's premier youth tournaments is set for another edition at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas from April 14-20, it's time for a quick stroll down memory lane at players who featured at the tournament in years past.

Many notable MLS players played at GA Cup, including reigning 2018 Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Zack Steffen. He played in 2012 for the Philadelphia Union, before attending the University of Maryland and moving to SC Freiburg in Germany. The US men's national team and Columbus Crew star will soon join Manchester City this summer. 

Efra Alvarez at GA Cup 2016 | LA Galaxy

In 2014, Chicago Fire's Djordje Mihailovic played at the tournament as did Real Salt Lake's Justen Glad. Not long after, Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas), Auston Trusty (Philadelphia Union) and Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union) made their GA Cup debuts. All three players are stalwarts for their clubs today. 

In more recent times, Paxton Pomykal (FC Dallas), Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas) and Efra Alvarez (LA Galaxy) wowed scouts in Texas in 2016, with Alvarez also playing in 2017 and 2018. In 2017 and 2018, Gianluca Busio (Sporting Kansas City) and George Bello (Atlanta United) starred for their clubs. You can find a list of other notable MLS players to appear at GA Cup below. 

Gianluca Busio at GA Cup 2017 | Sporting Kansas City

Other notable MLS players to appear at GA Cup

• CHI: Jeremiah Gutjahr (2013)
• COL: Sam Vines (2014)
• DC: Donovan Pines (2013)
• DAL: Weston McKennie (2015) - Currently with Schalke and the USMNT
• DAL: Thomas Roberts (2017)
• DAL: Edwin Cerrillo (2017)
• NYC: Joe Scally (2017, 2018)
• RBNY: Ben Mines (2017)
• SJ: Gilbert Fuentes (2017, 2018)
• SJ: Jacob Akanyirige (2017, 2018)

It's not just MLS stars to have gained fame after first playing at GA Cup.

Brazilian international and AC Milan midfielder Lucas Paqueta played for Flamengo in the tournament in 2014. Two years later, Mexico wunderkind Diego Lainez turned up with a youth Mexican national team to participate.

In 2018, Han-Noah Massengo featured for AS Monaco at GA Cup. By November, he made his Champions League debut with the senior side. 

Notable international players to star at GA Cup