38th Annual Dr Pepper Dallas Cup Pre-Tournament News and Notes
The annual Dr Pepper Dallas Cup opening day match-ups feature some of the world’s top young talents.
Related Article: Dr Pepper Dallas Cup Super Groups
Youth Soccer News: The Dr Pepper Dallas Cup — the most prestigious international youth soccer tournament in the United States — will kick off its 38th edition this Sunday with games at the historic Cotton Bowl Stadium, the Classic League Soccer Complex at Richland College, and MoneyGram Soccer Park in Northwest Dallas. Games will conclude next weekend with all eight championship matches played at Toyota Stadium in Frisco.
The Dr Pepper Dallas Cup joins adidas, Major League Soccer, and FC Dallas to host Soccer Week in North Texas as soccer fanatics turn their eyes to the region.
Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXVIII kicks off on April 9 with a full day of soccer action at the historic Cotton Bowl Stadium. The marquee game of the opening day’s triple header features a battle between the world-renowned Manchester United academy and prestigious Mexican side C.D. Guadalajara “Chivas”.
The festivities begin at 12:30pm with the FC Dallas Academy facing off against the 2016 Gordon Jago Super Group champion Everton FC.
At 3:00pm, a rematch of the 2011 Super Group final takes place between Mexican side Tigres and Germany’s Eintracht Frankfurt. The annual “Welcome World” Opening Ceremonies and Parade of Nations, featuring all 200 Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXVIII teams, will start at 5:00pm.
Everton FC (England) vs FC Dallas (USA) at 12:30pm:
Everton, the defending Super Group champion, looks to become the fifth club to win the Gordon Jago Super Group in consecutive years and the first since 2004-2005. FC Dallas is the current U-18 U.S. Development Academy national champions and in a recent ranking of MLS academies by Top Drawer Soccer, FC Dallas took the top spot.
At the Dr Pepper Dallas Cup — Look For:
- Delial Brewster (Everton): Strong and pacey forward with a great eye for goal. Helped Everton clinch U-18 premier league title in 2014. Found the back of the net 5 times during the 2016 Dr Pepper Dallas Cup
- James Yates (Everton): The young full back has 5 caps for England youth sides. Yates has had impressive years for club and country, helping win league titles and aiding England’s U17 team that qualified for the U-17 World Cup.
- Paxton Pomykal (FC Dallas): Pomykal made his MLSdebut on March 17, 2017. He is a member of the U18 USMNT. The young, Texas native is a composed and creative player, who makes smart and timely passes.
- Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas): Ferreira has 48 goals in 50 starts since joining FC Dallas Academy in 2013. Son of former FC Dallas David Ferreira
Tigres UANL (Mexico) vs. Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany) at 3:00pm:
Tigres and Eintracht Frankfurt were named co-champions of the Super Group in 2011 after inclement weather cut the match short. Tigres won the Super Group outright in 2003. Dallas Cup XXXVIII will mark the eleventh time for Eintracht Frankfurt to compete in the Gordon Jago Super Group, and the club’s 20th Dallas Cup appearance overall.
- Hector Montalvo (Tigres): Montalvo was called up to the U19 U.S. Youth Soccer Team. He was part of the 2015 FC Dallas U.S. Soccer Development Academy Championship team.
- Arlex Hurtado Cortez (Tigres): The young prospect was called up to the Colombian U20 international team in the summer of 2016.
- Raffael Cvijetkovic (Eintracht Frankfurt): The German forward leads his team in goals scored and sits just outside the top 10 of the top goal scorers in A-Junioren Bundesliga.
- Lukas Rodwald (Eintracht Frankfurt): Rodwald is a creative midfielder who leads his team in assists.
Manchester United (England) vs. CD Guadalajara “Chivas” at 6:30pm:
Manchester United will make their fourth Gordon Jago Super Group appearance at Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXVIII, still seeking their first championship. In 2012, they reached the final, but lost to Coritiba 2-1. Chivas has a rich history at Dallas Cup having won seven “Boot and Ball” championship trophies across all age groups since 1998, but they are still seeking their Super Group title.
- Callum Gribbin (Manchester United): Highly-rated midfielder who returned from injury suffered in the 2015/16 season. The 18 year-old returned to form with a hattrick against Liverpool that propelled him to the U23 teams
- Lee O’Connor (Manchester United): Republic of Ireland Under-16 captain. The 16-year-old is the youngest player in the Manchester United Dallas Cup team.
- Alejandro Zendejas (C.D. Guadalajara “Chivas”): USMNT U17 during the 2015 FIFA U17 World cup. FC Dallas’ 13th Homegrown player after joining the academy in 2012. Made his MLS debut on May 1st 2015 versus Houston Dynamo
- Ivan Gutierrez Lopez (C.D. Guadalajara “Chivas”): Called up to Mexican National team for CONCACAF U17 Championship in 2015. Born in California, he stood out during his time at the Chivas USA academy
Gordon Jago Super Group Team Notes for Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXVIII
- Coritibais seeking their third Super Group championship in just five appearances.
- CF Monterreyholds the Dallas Cup record for the most “Boot and Ball” championship trophies, winning sixteen across all age groups.
- Red Bull Brasiland Macabbi Haifa are both making their Dr Pepper Dallas Cup debut. Macabbi Haifa is the first Israeli Super Group team in the history of Dallas Cup.
- Real Salt Lake have reached the U17/U18 U.S.S.D.A playoffs every year since 2011-2012.
- Mexican clubs CF Monterreyand Tigres and are in first and second place, respectively, in Liga MX U-20.
- Eintracht Frankfurt has a long history at Dallas Cup having made eleven Super Group appearances and twenty Dallas Cup appearances overall.
As far as youth soccer teams, San Diego’s Albion SC has 4 teams competing, the most of any youth soccer club in the tournament.
