23 Jun 2025
MLS x HASHO EMBROIDERY
1. About the Client
Major League Soccer (MLS) is the leading professional soccer league in North America, celebrated for its competitive men’s division and strong focus on youth development. Through numerous initiatives aimed at nurturing emerging talent, MLS continues to expand its impact both nationally and internationally.
A flagship youth program is the Generation Adidas Cup, a global U17 tournament that attracts top academy teams from MLS clubs alongside elite international football programs. The competition provides a critical platform for young athletes to test their skills against top-level opponents and showcase their abilities to scouts, coaches, and the wider soccer community.
For these players, the tournament is more than just a game. It represents a key career milestone, an opportunity to compete at a professional standard, and often their first experience in a championship environment.
2. Client Needs
Ahead of the 2024 U17 Generation Adidas Cup, MLS approached HASHO EMBROIDERY with a clear and ambitious objective: to create custom die-struck medals that reflected the significance of the event and honored the achievements of its participants.
These medals were intended to go beyond simple giveaways, serving as lasting symbols of excellence for podium presentations, locker rooms, and years of personal remembrance.
MLS specified the following requirements:
A high-relief metal design to capture intricate details such as logos, tournament titles, and the event year
A fully metallic finish without enamel or printed elements, maintaining a timeless and premium aesthetic
A solid, weighty feel to convey value and permanence
High-quality woven jacquard ribbons that looked elegant while remaining secure during ceremonies and celebrations
The medals needed to balance visual impact with practical use, appearing striking under stadium lights while serving as meaningful keepsakes for every athlete who earned one.
3. Our Solution
HASHO EMBROIDERY partnered with MLS to design a series of shield-shaped, die-struck medals that celebrated both the league’s legacy and the ambitions of its young athletes.
Each medal included:
A bold front design with raised and recessed metal detailing, highlighting the iconic MLS shield and tournament identity without using color
A clean, engraved reverse side reading “2024 U17 Generation Adidas Cup Champion,” marking the event and title in timeless relief
A durable brushed and polished metal finish, providing visual depth and a satisfying tactile weight
The medals were paired with custom-woven jacquard ribbons, designed to reflect the event’s professionalism and remain secure during active movement. The woven texture and structured pattern enhanced the high-end, ceremony-ready presentation without any printed elements.
Photo samples were shared throughout production, allowing MLS to approve detailing, finishes, and logo accuracy before full-scale manufacturing.
4. Final Outcome
Presented immediately after the final match, the medals were received with excitement and admiration. Their shield shape and monochrome metal detailing gave them a striking presence on stage. The front-facing MLS identity provided instant recognition, while the engraved reverse side offered a personal mark of victory and memory.
As players stood together with medals around their necks, the craftsmanship was clear. Coaches and staff highlighted how the medals added emotional significance, turning a strong performance into a tangible milestone.
These were not generic awards—they were custom-forged symbols of a journey, presented at one of the most important stages in a young athlete’s path to professionalism.
5. Results
The 2024 Generation Adidas Cup medals became standout elements of the tournament. Coaches, players, and organizers praised the design, feel, and meticulous attention to detail, especially the elegant treatment of both the front and back, as well as the lasting quality of the die-struck metal.
Each medal told a story of preparation, perseverance, and peak performance. For HASHO EMBROIDERY, it was a privilege to contribute to such a defining moment in the careers of tomorrow’s soccer stars.
We’ll help you get fancy with custom pins
Partner with HASHO EMBROIDERY and our expert team will guide you through
every step—from design and customization to production and delivery.