Major League Soccer announced on Monday that it will host its inaugural small-sided U-12 tournament in conjunction with the 2014-15 Generation adidas Cup in Frisco, Texas this week.
Eight MLS academies will participate in the 7-v-7 competition, along with Mexican club Queretaro FC and Club America USA, the U.S.-based affiliate of the Mexican giant. The three-day tournament will be held at FC Dallas’ Toyota Soccer Center.
“MLS supports the small-sided game initiative and believes it to be a cornerstone of the development of future elite soccer players,” said MLS Technical Director of Player Programs Alfonso Mondelo in a statement. “It is important for MLS clubs to identify the most talented and skillful players at a young age and, through small-sided games, begin to guide their technical and tactical understanding of the game.”
The tournament will consist of 12 teams split into two groups, with each squad playing two 30-minute games every day of the competition. The championship match will take place between the two teams that finish at the top of their respective groups.
FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo will field two teams each, while the other MLS clubs involved are the Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, D.C. United, New York Red Bulls, Sporting Kansas City and Toronto FC.
“The U-12 small-sided initiative further aligns our league’s vision of being one of the top leagues in the world by being a world leader in player and youth development. The small-sided initiative creates an earlier pathway for players to develop their technical ability and develop into world class players,” said MLS Vice President of Competition Jeff Agoos.
