The San Jose Earthquakes Academy will compete in the 2026 Generation adidas Cup at both the Under-15 and Under-16 levels. The tournament will take place from March 27 to April 4 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
This year’s premier international youth competition will feature 88 teams. Eighty boys’ teams will be split evenly between the U-15 and U-16 age groups, including two MLS NEXT Elite Academies and one MLS NEXT Pro Academy that qualified through their performances at MLS NEXT Fest in December 2025.
In addition, 18 international clubs from Asia, Europe, North America and South America will compete across both age groups.
Quakes Academy Director Luchi Gonzalez knows success—he’s built it over more than a decade at the MLS academy level. Drafted by San Jose Earthquakes in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft and returning 20 years later as an academy head coach, no one embodies “Black and Blue” more than him. Gonzalez pushes the boys with the same drive that shaped his journey, determined to show what this academy stands for at GA Cup.
“I think the most important thing is that we’re going there with a mentality of not just participating, but we want to compete and know that we could beat anybody that faces us,” he said. “Getting results would be nice—to make a run in the tournament with each age group, but the most important thing is to perform well and show who we are in our identity and style of play. That’s what we can control in our actions, our energy and our habits.”
San Jose’s U-16 squad has been drawn into Group E alongside FC Copenhagen, the Colorado Rapids, and D.C. United. The blend of domestic and international opponents will provide a strong early test in the group stage.
Team captains and recent U.S. youth national team call-ups Rocky Rommel III and Orion Jolliff, two stalwarts on the back line, believe the squad has made steady progress since the start of the academy season in August. Facing new competition on the East Coast, they are eager to showcase their development on the field.
“Whatever happens, we give 100% and never say die,” Jolliff said. “It’s about relentless effort, unity and competing together.”
“We’re going to compete to win,” Rommel added. “The second half of the season has been strong, and we feel confident about our chances this weekend.”
Rommel has also been named to the 2026 Generation adidas Cup Rising XI, recognizing him as one of Major League Soccer’s top academy talents heading into the tournament.
In 2025, the Quakes’ U-16 team topped their group, which included Atlanta United FC, Santos Laguna and Sporting Kansas City. They advanced to the Round of 16, where they were defeated by Columbus Crew in a hard-fought match. In 2026, both teams are looking to make history by being the first to represent the Quakes in a GA Cup final.
This year, U-16 Head Coach Renato Bustamante is emphasizing the importance of a strong start and maintaining momentum throughout the tournament.
“We’re excited to open against FC Copenhagen, a historic club from Denmark,” Bustamante said. “We want to build on last year’s momentum and continue proving that we’re one of the top MLS academies.”
San Jose’s U-15 squad has been drawn into Group D alongside FC Barcelona (making its first GA Cup appearance), Chicago Fire FC and D.C. United.
U-15 Head Coach Ivan Mirković has established a strong identity within the Quakes Academy—one defined by professionalism, a proactive style of play and resilience in the face of adversity. Echoing the U-16 group, the team’s goal at the 2026 GA Cup is to show that last year’s success was no fluke, but a true reflection of the academy’s quality.
Team captains Josh Engel and Kayden Drolette have emphasized the importance of set-piece execution and the ability to read opponents’ styles of play during their preparation. The matchup against FC Barcelona is expected to be the most highly anticipated game of the group stage.
“As a team, we’ve been focused on playing together as a unit, and never forgetting our core values at the Quakes,” Engel said.
Drolette is similarly focused on the team excelling in Bradenton, especially after last Saturday’s 5-2 home victory over Real Salt Lake’s academy.Â
“Coming off our win against RSL, we’ll carry that momentum into matches against Chicago, D.C. and Barcelona,” he added.
Both teams will kick off their campaigns on March 27, with the U-16s facing FC Copenhagen and the U-15s taking on D.C. United. After months of preparation, the objective remains clear across both squads: Play the Quakes way and compete to win.
