CT United Academy U15 Boys Make History as First and Only Connecticut Team to Qualify for Generation adidas Cup

CT United's U15s head to IMG Academy in Florida after going undefeated and winning the MLS NEXT Pro Academy qualifying tournament

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:44pm

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CT United FC, a new professional men's soccer club set to compete in MLS NEXT Pro, is celebrating its Academy U15 boys who have made history as the first and only Connecticut team to qualify for the prestigious Generation adidas Cup. The team earned its place at the Cup by going undefeated and winning the MLS NEXT Pro Academy qualifying tournament at MLS NEXT Fest in Mesa, Arizona, in December.

Why it matters

Generation adidas Cup is widely regarded as the most prestigious youth tournament in America and one of the premier events in the world for aspiring professional players. This achievement reflects the CT United Academy's mission to break down barriers and empower players from all backgrounds to excel on and off the field, as the academy is the only free professional academy in Connecticut.

The details

The CT United Academy U15 boys are the only MLS NEXT Pro academy team in the U15 division to qualify through the MLS NEXT Pro Academy qualifying tournament pathway, a remarkable feat for a club in just its second year. The tournament will feature elite MLS academies and global giants from across world football, including clubs such as Inter Miami CF, LA Galaxy, FC Bayern, FC Barcelona, and more.

  • CT United earned its place at the Cup by going undefeated and winning the MLS NEXT Pro Academy qualifying tournament at MLS NEXT Fest in Mesa, Arizona, in December.
  • The Generation adidas Cup begins on Friday, March 27, 2026 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

The players

CT United FC

A new professional men's soccer club set to compete in MLS NEXT Pro, which is operating the only free youth soccer academy for boys in Connecticut.

Denis Hamlet

The Sporting Director of CT United FC.

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What they’re saying

“This is a proud moment for our club and for our state. To become the first Connecticut team ever to qualify for Generation adidas Cup is a major milestone and validation of what we are building. Our academy is free, our players come from all over Connecticut, and now they have earned the chance to represent this state on one of the biggest youth stages in world football. This is exactly what CT United was created to do — build a real pathway for elite talent in Connecticut and prove that players from this state can compete with anyone.”

— Denis Hamlet, Sporting Director of CT United FC

What’s next

The CT United Academy U15 boys will compete in the Generation adidas Cup at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida starting on Friday, March 27, 2026.

The takeaway

This achievement by the CT United Academy U15 boys proves that elite talent exists in Connecticut and that the state's players can compete at the highest levels of youth soccer. The CT United Academy's free, inclusive model is empowering players from diverse backgrounds across the state to reach new heights on the national and global stage.