Barca Residency Academy U16 team celebrating a semi-final win in the 2024 MLS Next GA Cup Qualifiers

U16s Advance to Generation Adidas Cup Qualifier Final

Last week, Barca Residency Academy’s MLS NEXT teams competed in the 2024 MLS NEXT Fest in Indio, California, held from December 6-11. Among the highlights of the event was the impressive performance of Barca’s U16 team in the Generation Adidas (GA) Cup Qualifiers—a 16-team, single-elimination tournament where the winner secured a coveted spot in the 2025 GA Cup.

Having finished at the top of the Southwest Division standings, Barca’s U16s earned their place in the qualifiers and entered the tournament with high expectations to which they met. The team opened their campaign with a commanding 2-0 victory over Michigan Wolves in the first round, followed by a hard-fought 1-0 win against Wake FC in the second round. Their resilience shone through in the semi-finals, where they edged Bethesda SC in a tense penalty shootout, winning 4-3 after a 0-0 draw in regulation.

Advancing to the final, Barca faced Tampa Bay United in a thrilling contest. Despite the high stakes, both teams displayed exceptional discipline and defensive strength, leading to another goalless draw at the end of regulation time. Unfortunately, the match was decided by penalties, where Barca fell 2-4 in a heartbreaking shootout.

While the U16s narrowly missed the chance to secure their spot in the 2025 GA Cup, their journey in the tournament was a testament to their skill, determination, and teamwork. The team’s performance at MLS NEXT Fest sets a strong foundation for continued success as they look ahead to the second half of the season in 2025.

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