MADRID, SPAIN - The Generation adidas team yesterday played to a 1-0 victory over the Rayo Vallecano Reserves in an international exhibition match at the Ciudad de Futbol stadium in Spain.
Two Colorado Rapids players figured in the victory for the US-based side, as striker JACOB PETERSON played 65 minutes and recorded an assist on the game-winning goal, and midfielder NICO COLALUCA played 25 minutes as a second half substitute to seal the win.
Peterson and Colaluca are among a group of 16 Generation adidas members of MLS's brightest young talent currently participating in a three-game Generation adidas tour of Spain. The 12-day journey began on Friday, Nov. 23 and will include training sessions and matches against the reserve teams of Rayo Vallecano FC and Real Madrid.
The goal was scored by Nathan Sturgis on an assist by Peterson in the 26th minute. Sturgis put Generation adidas on a shot from the top of the box that bounced off the far post and into the net.
The first half was a physical affair that saw four players get booked and NY Red Bulls defender Hunter Freeman ejected in the 35th minute.
The second half both teams settled down and played an offensive and entertaining brand of soccer. Generation adidas was able to play with 11 players in the second half, as Willie Sims came on for Freeman.
Generation adidas came close to scoring on several opportunities, but the Spanish goalkeeper came up with some excellent saves on point blank shots by Kei Kamara and Chad Barrett.
The young MLS players will also attend three matches as spectators while in Spain: this Sunday's Atletico Madrid vs. Valladolid fixture, a UEFA Champions League match on Tuesday, and next Sunday's Real Madrid vs. Racing Santandar contest.
The team this morning was on a train to Sevilla, where they will watching tonight's Champions League clash between La Liga's Sevilla and Colorado Rapids partner club Arsenal FC of the English Premier League.
The team will then spend the night in Sevilla and head out tomorrow morning to Madrid for training and preparation to face Real Madrid Reserves. The Generation adidas group is slated to return to the USA on Monday, Dec. 3.
Generation adidas lineups: (1st half) - Chris Seitz, Marvell Wynne, Jed Zayner, Patrick Ianni, Hunter Freeman, Jacob Peterson, Bakary Soumare, Nathan Sturgis, Tim Ward, Chad Barrett, Kei Kamara
Generation adidas lineups: (2nd half) - Chris Seitz, Marvell Wynne, Jed Zayner (Nico Colaluca, 65'), Patrick Ianni, Willie Sims, Jacob Peterson (David Arvizu, 65'), Bakary Soumare, Nathan Sturgis, Tim Ward, Chad Barrett (Amaechi Igwe, 65'), Kei Kamara
