Youth players on the big stage: how the Generation adidas Cup went in the USA

Football, Florida and a whole host of new experiences! Both the FC Bayern boys' U16 and girls' U15 teams competed at the 2025 Generation adidas Cup in the USA over the past few days. Around two months before the start of the FIFA Club World Cup, the German record champions' two youth teams took on international rivals at the renowned IMG Academy in Bradenton. fcbayern.com has summarised how the young talents fared for you.

Boys' U16s advance to the quarter-finals of the Silver Round

Head coach Can Ünal's team first faced New England Revolution in the group stage. Thanks to a strong battling performance, the Munich side celebrated a narrow but deserved 1-0 opening win. In the second game against the Portland Timbers, Bayern were also in for a close-run affair. It was all-square at 1-1 at the end of normal time, with FCB narrowly losing 4-3 in the penalty shoot-out. The same scenario was to befall the record champions' youngsters in their final group match against St. Louis City. FCB lost 7-6 in the penalty shoot-out after the game had finished in a 2-2 draw. As a result, Bayern missed out on a place in the last 16 of the tournament and went on to play in the Premier Round (Silver Round).

There, Ünal's team faced the Colorado Rapids in the round of 16. Thanks to a 1-0 win, the Munich side progressed to the last eight, where they were beaten 1-0 by Orlando City SC. Real Salt Lake won the tournament thanks to a 4-0 win over LA Galaxy in the final.

Ünal: “Tournament with incredible intensity”

"It was a very valuable experience for the boys both on and off the pitch. The tournament was a valuable opportunity to grow closer together as a team. On the pitch, it was a tournament with incredible intensity. We were challenged in every game and had to push ourselves to our limits. The boys did a good job, especially in the group stage where we had three good games," said Can Ünal, FC Bayern U16s head coach.

Clashes with top international teams for the girls' U15s

This year, for the first time, the youth tournament organised by Bayern partner adidas and the MLS also welcomed talented female players in the U16 age group, with the U15s competing for FCB. Ivon Karras' side faced two all-star teams in Bradenton, featuring talents from the American youth academies and Manchester City. The Munich side lost 4-2 to Girls Academy Blue in the opener and were also beaten in the other two group matches by Manchester City (4-0) and Girls Academy Red (4-0). In the third-place play-off, Karras' team again lost to Manchester City (6-1), with Girls Academy Red clinching the tournament victory.

Bishop: “Valuable experience”

"We had four intense and interesting clashes played at a high level, even if we ultimately had to admit defeat in the games. Our players continued to develop throughout the tournament and were able to gain a lot of valuable experience," said Nathalie Bischof, FC Bayern Women talent development coordinator.

Youth teams garner unforgettable impressions in the USA

In addition to exciting matches and intense competitions, the trip to the United States also afforded the FC Bayern youth teams valuable cultural experiences. On the match-free days, the focus was on getting to know the country and its people. The U16s immersed themselves in American sports culture at an ice hockey game and visited the world-famous Universal Studios. The girls' U15s enjoyed the sun and sea on the beach at Anna Maria Island and took a trip to vibrant Tampa. It was a trip that challenged them athletically - and enriched them personally.

FC Bayern Women will play the 2025/26 Bundesliga opener at the Allianz Arena: