GK MacMath included in 2011 Generation Adidas Class

The 2011 Generation Adidas class includes one goalkeeper, Zac MacMath. The program, sponsored by adidas, encourages early entry (without college graduation) of American players into MLS. Joining MacMath is eight other underclassmen and four seniors for which the MLS has signed early.

MacMath is considered to be a bright young prospect on equal footing to Cody Cropper (Ipswich Town and my former club, Bangu -MN). MacMath recently recorded two shutouts during both starts of the U20 Milk Cup in Northern Ireland and spent some time training with Everton and US Senior Team GK Tim Howard.

Until 2005, the program was sponsored by Nike and was called Project-40. Generation Adidas players do not count against the MLS senior roster and usually earn a much higher salary than the league minimum . Entering into the program automatically classifies a player as professional and thus, disqualifies them from playing college soccer. As a result, Generation Adidas players are guaranteed scholarships to continue their college education.

Other notable Project-40/Generation Adidas goalkeepers include Tim Howard (Everton), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Stefan Frei (Toronto FC), and Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake).

Zac MacMath - GK
Age: 19
Hometown: St. Petersburg, FL
College/Club: University of Maryland
U.S. Nat'l Team: U-17, U-18, U-20, U-23

- 2010 NSCAA First Team All-American
Joined the U.S. Soccer U-17 Residency Program in 2006 and started two games in the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

- Led the U-20 team to a Milk Cup Championship in the summer of 2010 in Northern Ireland

- Earned lowest goals-against average in NCAA (.44 GAA) in 2008 as a freshman and set a program record for shutouts in a season with 15 in 2010