Madison's Takumi Ikeda was part of the Generation Adidas Elite Soccer Program last month in San Jose, Calif., one of two representatives from the Chicago Fire Academy to participate in the five-day event.
This year's ESP was held July 25 to 29, in conjunction with the Major League Soccer All-Star Game against English club Arsenal FC. The 48 players, which included two from each MLS academy program, played an East vs. West game at Avaya Stadium before the MLS Homegrown Game against the Mexican Under-20 national team on July 27.
Ikeda, a midfielder, previously played for SC Waukesha and was part of two U.S. Under-15 boys national team camps last year.