Seattle Sounders midfielder Josh Atencio has enjoyed plenty of success at Generation adidas Cup.
Billed as the premier youth soccer tournament in North America, GA Cup brings together all of the U-15 and U-17 MLS academies to compete with top international clubs like Manchester United, FC Porto, A.S. Roma, River Plate, and more. Atencio, 20, was part of two Sounders Academy teams to secure silverware at the event, winning the Premier Division in 2018 before becoming the first MLS side to win the prestigious Champions Division in 2019.
With the 2022 edition of GA Cup set to get underway this weekend, MLSsoccer.com is analyzing down some of the great breakout performances over the years. On Friday, they released the GA Cup all-time Best XI, with Atencio earning a starting spot alongside the likes of Borussia Dortmund's Gio Reyna and Juventus' Weston McKennie.
"Atencio was part of a Seattle squad that won back-to-back trophies at the Generation adidas Cup," wrote MLSsoccer.com's Travis Clark. "The midfielder played at the 2018 edition of the tournament, helping Seattle win the Premier Division. The following year, Seattle became the first MLS team to win the Champions Division, defeating Valencia by a 1-0 score. Current Sounders first-team players Danny Leyva and Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez were also crucial in 2019."
The Sounders Academy U-15s and U-17s will face off against Sporting Kansas City, Charlotte FC and Austin FC at GA Cup this week, as well as international sides Celtic FC and Santos Laguna. You can find a full preview for the event HERE.
