Thirteen days rich in discovery | OneFootball

With the ADIDAS U.S. TOUR at an end, we take a look back at an eventful and successful time in Louisville and Philadelphia.

The ADIDAS U.S. TOUR 2025 has come to an end. After 13 intensive days in Louisville and Philadelphia, Dino Toppmöller was in a positive mood. “The team implemented what we worked on in training very well and always went above and beyond,” the head coach said. “Paxten Aaronson, Jonny Burkardt and Elias Baum fitted in no problems at all and were given a really warm welcome by the group. It leaves me feeling very optimistic.” “I’m not directly responsible for the sporting side of things, so that gives me a better chance to watch, listen and observe,” said CEO Axel Hellmann, who was equally enthused after the US trip. “What really impressed me was how close the group was and how well they all got on. Overall, I’m very happy.”

Down to business very soon

Eintracht kick off the 2025/26 season with their DFB Cup first-round tie against FV Engers 07 on 17 August, with the Bundesliga getting under way on 23 August at Deutsche Bank Park against Werder Bremen.

ADIDAS U.S. TOUR 2025 in figures

2 – The US tour enabled Eintracht to visit the football facilities at the University of Louisville and the training complex of the Philadelphia Eagles – giving them the chance to get a closer look at the best that college soccer has to offer and then the reigning Super Bowl champions.

2 – In conjunction with Louisville City FC and Philadelphia Union, Eintracht held two business events, entitled ‘The business of sports’ and ‘Sister cities on and off the pitch’, giving guests from the worlds of sport, finance and politics and the two cities in question a forum for discussion. “We wanted to build bridges and nurture friendships during our ADIDAS U.S. TOUR, and looking back over the two weeks, I believe that we did that very successfully,” said Hellmann, who was in Philadelphia on Saturday evening ahead of the friendly along with another six of his fellow founding members of the Eintracht Frankfurt Friends of U.S. This association works on building valuable ties and friendships in the USA while creating favourable and fruitful networks.

3 – The Eagles went unbeaten in their three friendlies, against Aston Villa (2-2), Louisville City (5-2) and Philadelphia Union (2-2).

9 – As a break from all the hard work at the training camp, the players, coaches and backroom staff went to Citizens Bank Park to see the Philadelphia Phillies take on the Detroit Tigers at baseball. The stadium was rocking, the US-style entertainment was on point and the home team emerged 5-4 victors after nine action-packed innings.

10 – The team completed no fewer than 10 training sessions in the USA. “We were giving it our all right from the off,” said Toppmöller, whose charges were put through their paces at the Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center in Louisville and then next to Subaru Park in Philadelphia. “We’re on the right track, but we’re also glad that we’ve got another two weeks ahead of us before things get under way,” the head coach explained.

15 – Fans in Louisville and Philadelphia were treated to no fewer than 15 goals across the three friendlies, nine of them courtesy of the Eagles. Elye Wahi and Ebu Bekir Is were on the scoresheet against Aston Villa, while Baum – back after his loan spell at Elversberg – Jonny Burkardt, Marvin Dills, and Niels Nkounkou (2) netted against LouCity. Burkardt and Wahi then made it two goals apiece on the ADIDAS U.S. TOUR against Philadelphia Union.

16, 18, 19 – Four youth players came along to the training camp in Louisville and Philadelphia: Bekir Is, Amil Siljevic, Dills and Noah Fenyö, who are respectively 16, 18, 18 and 19 years old. Dills (vs. Louisville) and Bekir Is (vs. Villa) celebrated their call-ups with a goal each.

30 – Eintracht took a 30-strong squad to the USA, although two of them – both Brazilians – left early. Kaua Santos had a reaction to the knee injury which he suffered last April and returned to Frankfurt as a precaution. After undergoing tests, the 22-year-old was able to resume training. Defender Tuta, meanwhile, was given leave to have talks with another club.

31 – For Frankfurt’s number 31, Aaronson, the trip to Philadelphia and the Union match held particular significance. “Going back to the club where it all began for me feels really special,” Aaronson said. When he made his appearance at the start of the second half, the US international was given a big round of applause.

35,457 – That is the number of fans who attended Eintracht’s matches – 11,239 at the first game, 8,000 at the second at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, then 16,218 at the 2-2 draw with Philadelphia at Subaru Park.