EPL’s Southampton F.C. to Return to Dr Pepper Dallas Cup
Dr Pepper Dallas Cup has become one of the most prestigious international youth soccer tournaments in the United States gathering academy teams from all over around the world to compete. Dallas Cup welcomes back Southampton FC from the EPL for the 2016 edition of the tournament who are known for developing outstanding youth players including the likes of Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and numerous other stars in the Premier League.
Soccer News from Dallas Cup: The Dr Pepper Dallas Cup, the oldest and most prestigious international youth soccer tournament in the United States, has announced that Southampton F.C. of the English Premier League will participate in this year’s elite Gordon Jago Super Group. Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXVII will be held from March 20 through March 27, 2016.
Nicknamed “The Saints”, Southampton F.C. is recognized as having one of the top youth academies in Europe, having produced numerous international stars, including Arsenal’s Theo Walcott and Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale. Bale is considered the most-expensive player in the world due to his 2014 $100 million transfer fee. In 2015, NBC Sports Network released The Southampton Way, an hour-long profile of Southampton F.C., highlighting the club’s ability to produce an extraordinary amount of elite home grown players.
This will be the fourth overall Dr Pepper Dallas Cup appearance for Southampton F.C. In their three previous appearances, Southampton has at least advanced to the semifinal round. In 2007, the club, featuring future Liverpool and English World Cup midfielder Adam Lallana, claimed third place in the Super Group. Southampton’s 2008 Under-13 team, featuring current Saints star James Ward-Prowse and Manchester United defender Luke Shaw, made it to the championship match. The 2009 Under-13 team advanced to the semifinals, with the help of Matt Targett, who would go on to win Southampton’s 2014/15 “Young Player of the Season” award.
It was also announced that Japanese club Kyoto Sanga F.C. will compete in the Gordon Jago Super Group. Founded in 1922, Kyoto Sanga F.C. is the oldest club competing in the J League. While this will be Kyoto’s first Dr Pepper Dallas Cup appearance, it will mark the eleventh time in the last twelve years that a Japanese team has participated in the elite Gordon Jago Super Group.
Source: Dr Pepper Dallas Cup. Photo Credit: Southampton FC and Dr Pepper Dallas Cup
