As part of the Homegrown Initiative, the Generation Adidas Cup focused on player development while providing elite competition for those involved.

[1] The tournament served as a springboard into the professional game for some top prospects, such as Tristan Bowen (Los Angeles Galaxy), Julien Ngoy (Stoke City), Andy Najar (D.C. United), Bryan Leyva (FC Dallas), Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Victor Ulloa (FC Dallas), and Sebastian Saucedo (Real Salt Lake).

A second "domestic" division is contested for MLS clubs with did not qualify for the finals proper.

Seattle Sounders FC became the first MLS team to win the new Champions Division, defeating Valencia CF in the 2019 final.

In the group stages, when there is a draw, a penalty shoot out is held to award an extra point.