Dr Pepper Dallas Cup Kicks Off with Key Match Ups in Gordon Jago Super Group
The Dr Pepper Dallas Cup, the most prestigious international youth soccer tournament in the United States, will kick off its 35th anniversary tournament on Sunday, April 13, with games at the Cotton Bowl Stadium, the Classic League Soccer Complex at Richland, and the brand new MoneyGram Soccer Park in Northwest Dallas.
Which matches will lead off the tournament and who are the players to watch?
Game notes for opening day Gordon Jago Super Group games at the Cotton Bowl.
FC Dallas vs. FC Fulham at 12:30 p.m.
Fulham, reigning U18 Premier League Champion, returns to Dallas to defend their 2013 Gordon Jago Super Group title. Cottager midfielder Emerson Hyndman, a three-time Dallas Cup champion and Dallas native, will be facing his former team, FC Dallas.
Keep an eye on:
- Aaron Meyers – Solid, consistent defensive midfielder who participated this year in spring training in Florida with the senior team (FC Dallas)
- Moussa Dembele – Dangerous target forward with Didier Drogba-like potential (Fulham FC)
- Emerson Hyndman – U.S. Youth National Team and former FC Dallas Academy player, among the top prospects in the Fulham youth system
CD Guadalajara vs. Fluminense FC at 3:00 p.m.
Fluminense, one of the pre-tournament favorites, advanced to the semi-finals of the 2013 Dallas Cup before being eliminated by eventual Champion Fulham in penalty kicks. The Brazil vs. Mexico matchup will mirror the upcoming FIFA World Cup Group A game.
Keep an eye on:
- Daniel Rios – Mexico U20 National Team. Strong Target Forward (Chivas).
- Euller Rodrigues (Fluminense FC) – Speedy winger. Often plays with the Fluminense reserve roster.
CA River Plate vs. U.S. MU20 en’s National Team at 6:30 p.m.
Both River Plate and the U.S. National Teams have produced Major League Soccer (MLS) stars. Of the 22 players on the U.S. U20 Team, 16 are professional players and 8 play in MLS.
Keep an eye on:
- Juan Cruz Kaprof and Matías Santiago Sánchez – Regular first team reserve players and Argentine U20 National Team Players. (River Plate)
- Kellyn Acosta – 18 year old starting right back for Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas. (US Men’s U20)
- Lynden Gooch – English Club Sunderland FC Academy U18 Player, having a breakout season. (US Men’s U20)
The Dr Pepper Dallas Cup is respected throughout the world as one of the most elite tournament across the globe. Joining over 200 college scouts, several international scouts from some of the biggest teams in Europe and South America will travel to Dallas this week in hopes of finding their team’s next superstar. Scouts from the most important clubs in England, France, The Netherlands, Argentina, Mexico, and U.S.A’s Major League Soccer will be on hand to scout games from all age groups.
The Dr Pepper Dallas Cup is pleased to announce that a free internet stream will be made available on dallascup.com for the Fluminense (BRA) vs. LA Galaxy (USA) game at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, April 14. Later that same day, River Plate (ARG) vs. Tigres UANL (MEX) will be available.
Two former MLS All-Stars, Dante Washington (FC Dallas, Columbus Crew) and Diego Gutierrez (Sporting Kansas City, Chicago Fire), will participate in this year’s Opening Ceremonies, scheduled to begin on Sunday at 5:00pm at the Cotton Bowl. The Opening Ceremonies will be led by the Adamson High School Marching Band from DISD and the Jesuit Rangerettes Drill Team.
Reigning MLS Player of the Month, FC Dallas’ Mauro Diaz, will be recognized during the coin toss of Sunday’s marquee matchup of Argentina’s River Plate vs. the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team at 6:30pm. It will be a homecoming for Diaz, 23, who grew up playing in River Plate’s youth system and is scheduled to greet the team before the day’s match.
In addition to Diaz, throughout the years, several high-profile MLS players have come through River Plate before landing with a MLS club, including Juan Pablo Angel, Dario Sala, Pablo Ricchetti, Ferderico Higuain, and Juan Toja.
The Dallas Cup reach is truly global, as over 250 referees from 29 countries covering six continents will come to Dallas to officiate games during the tournament’s eight days.
About Dr Pepper Dallas Cup: Dr Pepper Dallas Cup is the most prestigious international youth soccer tournament in the United States, celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2014. Dallas Cup consists of eight age groups from U13 to U19 and entertains on average more than 100,000 spectators during the week. Since its inception in 1980, Dallas Cup has hosted teams and referees from across 47 states, six continents and more than 100 countries. Follow Dallas Cup on Twitter, Facebook and on Instagram.
