NEW YORK, NY – Major League Soccer today announced the itinerary and roster of players, including young Montreal Impact defender Zarek Valentin, that will travel to the Netherlands for this year’s Generation adidas tour. The 18 emerging stars, representing 12 different MLS clubs, will train at the world-renowned Ajax Academy in Amsterdam and compete in friendly matches against Ajax Reserves and Dutch second-division clubs FC Volendam and Almere City FC.

The tour itinerary and roster are below. Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes and his staff will coach the Generation adidas team during the tour.

“This annual offseason tour is invaluable for young players, and we are excited to see this talented group come together in the Netherlands,” MLS Executive Vice President Todd Durbin said. “Our players’ development is enhanced by their exposure to legendary clubs like Ajax and the opportunity to compete against their peers in other countries.”

The tour is part of the ongoing commitment that adidas has made to help advance soccer in the United States and Canada through MLS. Players who join MLS through the Generation adidas program are provided unique opportunities to hone their skills, develop as professionals, and receive educational grants. Generation adidas players do not count against an MLS team’s salary budget.

“The Generation adidas tour gives some of the top young MLS players the chance to train at high-profile facilities, compete internationally and gain valuable professional experience both on and off the field,” said Antonio Zea, director of soccer for adidas. “This year’s trip to AFC Ajax is the perfect platform for our future MLS stars to further develop their game and showcase their talent on an international stage.”

While in Amsterdam, the team will also attend a UEFA Champions League match between two of the most successful professional soccer clubs ever – Ajax and Real Madrid – on Dec. 7 at the Amsterdam Arena. Three days later, the team will travel to Alkmaar and watch Generation adidas graduate Jozy Altidore’s club, AZ, host De Graafschap in a top-flight Dutch league (Eredivisie) match at AFAS Stadion.

Tour Itinerary

Dec. 5 Generation adidas players depart for Amsterdam

Dec. 6 Training (Ajax Academy fields)

Dec. 7 Training (Ajax Academy fields)

Team to attend UEFA Champions League match – Ajax vs. Real Madrid

Dec. 8 Game 1: Generation adidas vs. Ajax Reserve team (Ajax Academy fields)

Dec. 9 Training (Ajax Academy fields)

Dec. 10 Training (Ajax Academy fields)

Attendance Eredivisie Match - AZ Alkmaar vs. De Graafschap

Dec. 11 Training (Ajax Academy fields)

Dec. 12 Training (Ajax Academy fields)

Team to attend match: Ajax U23 vs. PSV U23

Dec. 13 Game 2: Generation adidas vs. FC Volendam (in Volendam)

Dec. 14 Game 3: Generation adidas vs. Almere City FC (in Almere)

Dec. 15 Generation adidas players depart for U.S.

2011 Generation adidas Roster