Players That Impressed: Girls Academy Spring Showcase + Girls Gen Adidas Cup

Top teams and players from across the Girls Academy (GA) have competed in major tournaments over the last couple weeks, including the Generation Adidas Cup and the GA Spring Showcase.

At the Generation Adidas Cup, four teams of GA All-Stars competed against each other and against top international opponents, including Real Madrid (Spain), We League (Japan), Club America (Mexico) and FC Bayern Munich (Germany). Ultimately, the Girls Academy Gray Team captured the championship in the U16 Girls Division of the Generation Adidas Cup.

From April 9-13, the Girls Academy hosted its annual Spring Showcase in North Carolina, featuring teams across the U15-U19 age groups. The tournament was held at Bryan Soccer Park in Greensboro, and provided cross-conference competition with dozens of college coaches on hand. (College Coaches)

Below are some of the top players from the events, sorted by graduation year. You can also nominate a player who stood out during the events through the following link.

2030

Olivia Jones | Forward
Indy Premier 2011 (IN)

The U.S. U-15 Girls National Team forward was unstoppable for the GA All-Star Gray Team during their championship run at the Generation Adidas Cup. Jones earned Player of the Match honors for her dominant performance in the Gray Team’s 5-0 rout of Mexico’s Club America. The sky’s the limit for Jones, who led Indy Premier to the GA National Championship last season, and her overall talent combined with relentless motor on the field have made her a valued member of the USYNT roster pool.

2029

Juliana Malekzadeh | Forward
SYC Soccer 2011 (VA)

Juliana (Jules) competed fiercely to help SYC Soccer 2011 finish undefeated, scoring 3 out of the 4 goals for her team. Jules scored goals in every game and hit game-winners against IMG Academy and Long Island SC.

2028

Graduation: 2028

Gabby Gjeldum

Goalkeeper

Galaxy SC

Girls Academy

The U.S. Youth National Team goalkeeper served as the anchor between the posts for the Girls Academy All-Star Gray Team at the GA Cup. Gjeldum’s steady presence helped guide the Gray Team to the U16 Girls Division championship, which was highlighted by multiple clean sheet efforts, including a dominant 4-0 effort in the title match against the GA Red Team.

Graduation: 2028

Shepherd Atkiss

Midfielder

McLean Youth Soccer

Girls Academy

Racked up 3 goals during the GA Spring Showcase in North Carolina, serving as a spark plug on the attacking side for McLean Youth Soccer 2010. Atkiss scored in a variety of ways, including a surprise long range bomb from way outside the box, as well as a tough goal off a corner kick amid heavy traffic. (WATCH)

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Isabella Ortiz | Midfielder
Florida United 2008/2007 (FL)

Delivered a signature performance in the Generation Adidas Cup U16 Girls Final, as she helped lead the GA Gray All-Star Team to a 4-0 victory over the GA Red All-Stars. Ortiz earned Player of the Match honors in the Final, after helping carry a star-studded offense which piled on the goals throughout the tournament. A well-established U.S. Youth National Team roster pool member, Ortiz was one of several USYNT players to step up for the Gray Team.

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Nora Eitz | Midfielder / Forward
Sockers FC 2009 (IL)

With her active recruiting window quickly approaching, Eitz picked a great time to deliver some big time results in a national showcase event. Eitz racked up 5 goals over the course of 3 straight wins in North Carolina, including a hat trick in Sockers FC 2009’s 4-1 victory over United PDX.

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Porter Shields | Forward / Winger
Sockers FC 2009 (IL)

Working in tandem with teammate Nora Eitz, Shields made some serious waves for Sockers FC 2009 throughout their perfect 3-0-0 run at the GA Spring Showcase. Shields found the net 4 times, scoring at least once in every game, and she closed the tournament with a brace in a 3-1 win over ALBION SC Las Vegas.

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Maya Matthews | Midfielder
McLean Youth Soccer 2010 (VA)

Matthews served an important piece of the McLean Youth Soccer 2010 attack during the GA Spring Showcase, contributing 3 assists on her team’s 8 total goals. Her assists came on both set pieces and in the run of play, with the most impressive one coming on a dish-off inside the box to Elsa Dowd, after she made a brilliant move to beat a defender and dribble the ball deep into the 18. (WATCH)

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Sydney Thomas | Forward
Columbus United SC 2010 (OH)

One of the top attacking players from the Class of 2028 in the entire Girls Academy, Thomas stepped up for the Team Navy All-Stars during their run at the Generation Adidas Cup. She fueled a scoring frenzy during their final game against FC Bayern Munich, earning Player of the Match honors as they ended the event on a high note.

2027

Jadyn Allen | Forward
Baltimore Armour 2008/2007 (MD)

Allen is a Class of 2027 forward who has verbally committed to play NCAA D1 soccer for Longwood University. She showed why she’s a D1 recruit with a strong all-around effort at the GA Spring Showcase, highlighted by a brace during Armour’s 4-2 comeback win over Charlotte DA. (WATCH)

2026

Emma Fuchs | Midfielder
Baltimore Armour 2008/2007 (MD)

Playing in some of her final club games before starting her college career at East Carolina University, Fuchs showed that she’s in excellent form with her performance at the GA Spring Showcase. She turned in a prolific all-around effort which included a brace during her team’s 4-2 comeback win over Charlotte DA. (WATCH)