The Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXVI Inside Scoop
The Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXVI prides itself on being the window to the world of international youth soccer. Ever since it first kicked off the tournament in 1980 with three international teams competing against American youths, the Dallas Cup has been a crowning jewel on the landscape of youth soccer.
Always known as one of the most competitive tournaments in the country, the Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXVI is the most prestigious international youth soccer tournament in the USA and has hosted teams and referees from across 47 states, six continents and more than 100 countries since its 36 years. The Dallas Cup is for teams U13 to U19 and usually attracts more than 100,000 spectators to its week long tournament.
“After 36 years, every year’s tournament is special and unique in its own way,” said Andy Swift, Dallas Cup Tournament Director. “This year, the Dallas Cup had 188 teams from 41 countries at our opening ceremonies — we had a very high percentage of international teams plus the MLS Generation adidas Cup for U-17 MLS academy teams.” This is Tournament Director Swift’s third year running the tournament.
The most competitive youth soccer teams in America travel to Dallas to compete. Even U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams come to play in the Dallas Cup as it is one of their approved rare tournaments. And, there are the teams from all across the world seeking the glory of becoming Dallas Champions. Winning the Dallas Cup is a monumental achievement. “It is a cherished trophy won by some of the world’s greatest youth teams, including Manchester United’s Academy who proudly display their ‘Boot and Ball’ championship trophy.” said Swift.
The Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXVI Champions are:
Gordon Jago Super Group: Coritiba FC (Brazil)
Under 19: Jaguares de Chiapas (Mexico)
Super 17’s: Santos Laguna (Mexico)
Under 17: FC Dallas Youth 98B Premier (Texas)
adidas Young Champions
Under 16: Seattle United 98B Copa (Washington)
Under 15: Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany)
Under 14: AC Brea B00 (California)
Under 13: San Diego Surf SC Academy Select (California)
Special @ The Dallas Cup:
A week-long event which always starts on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday, the Dallas Cup prides itself on phenomenal soccer and giving back to the community with teams visiting hospitals, participating in camps and generally Paying It Forward. “The Dallas Cup is a holistic experience; it provides a wide range of on and off field experiences as well as educational opportunities for the teams participating. On top of the high level of competition on the field, teams visit hospitals and shelters — giving players the chance for community involvement – often, it is the fist time a player has participated in anything like this,” said Swift.
How competitive are the brackets? TSG 1899 Hoffenheim from Germany, the current Under-19 Bundesliga Champion, was added to the Gordon Jago Super Group just before the tournament kicked off. They replaced Evergrande Taobao FC from China, who played in the Under-19 age group. Evergrande Taobao FC was unable to put together a roster that would challenge in the elite Gordon Jago Super Group and the last minute change allowed for a more competitive bracketing of teams. “With roster changes allowed all the way up to the day before the tournament, teams can make changes until Saturday’s registration,” added Swift.
The 2105 VIP was Howard Webb and he was in splendid action, referring a match at this year’s Dallas Cup. Ask yourself how often is it that the man in charge of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final ever officiates a youth soccer match? The answer is obviously not often, yet those players in Dallas Cup’s match between Prepa Tec from Monterrey and Jacksonville FC Boys Elite, which Prepa Tec won, 4-0 have experienced this honor. Howard’s appearance was a hit with the Dr Pepper Dallas Cup referees and fans alike. Swift said, “Webb was our special guest and he was so great with the players, it took him a half hour to walk from one side of the hotel lobby to the other as he as so swamped with questions from players.”
CONCACAF, soccer’s governing body for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, once again partnered with the Dr Pepper Dallas Cup this year to host an international referee symposium during the youth tournament.
For the seventh year, Time Warner Cable Sports Channel broadcast selected Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXVI tournament games — this year eleven were in HD. All Dr Pepper Dallas Cup games aired on Time Warner Cable’s sports networks were also streamed live and fans from all across the planet watched games.
When asked what Swift liked best about the Dallas Cup, he responded, “I like best that — for one week — all these kids come together from all these counties to share this amazing experience that will last their lifetime.”
“So many successful professional players shared in this experience,” said Swift. “1 out of every 19 players at last year’s World Cup had played in Dallas Cup. We added all the transfer fees paid in last 30 years and the total topped 1 billion dollars.” Who are some of the famous professional players who competed in Dallas Cup when they were youth soccer players? Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Brian McBride, David Beckham, Marco Etcheverry, Raul, Wayne Rooney and Michael Bradley are just a few of the many pro players who participated in Dallas Cup when they were youth players.
Game Recaps
Gordon Jago Super Group
In an exciting game worthy of deciding the Gordon Jago Super Group Final, both Coritiba and Monterrey showed fantastic on-the-ball skill which produced numerous scoring chances, and great goals. Coritiba struck first in the 8th minute, when Forward Thiago Lopes received a cross in the penalty area. Instead of trying to get off a difficult shot, Lopes laid off a beautiful ball onto the path of an onrushing Evandro da Silva, who blasted his shot past the Monterrey goalkeeper. Monterrey responded in the 26th minute, when Erick Amaro beat the Coritiba goalkeeper to the ball on a corner kick, and flicked the ball into the net to tie the score.
Coritiba quickly responded when Lopes and da Silva teamed up again, this time on a free kick which da Silva headed home for the 2-1 lead. Both teams continued to dazzle the boisterous crowd with entertaining soccer. In the 68th minute Coritiba midfielder, Vitor Vieira, played a quick give-and-go with a teammate to give himself space in Monterrey’s half of the field. While his long-distance shot was not strong, it was perfectly placed, and rolled in just inside the near post. With less than 10 minutes remaining, Coritiba lost a player to yellow card accumulation, and defended with 10 men for the remaining portion of the game. Monterrey had several excellent chances, but was unable to score again, giving Coritiba its second Gordon Jago Super Group championship in four years. The win is the twelfth Super Group championship by a Brazilian club since the elite division was founded in 1990.
Under 19
Jaguares de Chiapas denied FC Dallas their second Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXVI Championship of the day. FC Dallas 97B Premier had the lead until a 77th minute Jaguares strike tied the game, and a blistering left-footed shot was the game winner for Jaguares on the last kick of the game.
Super 17’s
The Super 17’s championship game featured two Mexican rivals, Monterrey Rayados and Santos Laguna. In the 76th minute Santos’ Jesus Ocejo Zazueta rose above his defender to head home the game’s only goal, and give Santos their first “Boot and Ball” trophy.
Under 17
Golden State finished the Under 17 Championship match with just 9 players, as FC Dallas Premier used goals in each half to give FC Dallas their third overall Dallas Cup Championship, and the second one claimed by Head Coach Scott Dymond.
Under 16
Washington club rivals, Seattle United Copa and Crossfire Premier Pre-Academy, battled for the U16 adidas Young Champions title. Seattle United’s captain, Jackson Ragen, struck in the 12th minute on a well placed header. Seattle United would add another first half goal to give United all the goals they would need, in a 2-0 victory.
Under15
Eintracht Frankfurt of Germany defeated FC Golden State USSDA U14 Academy, 2-1, to claim the U15 Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXVI title. Eintracht Frankfurt had a seemingly comfortable lead late in the game, until FC Golden State got on the scoreboard and then missed an empty netter at the end of regulation.
Under 14
AC Brea defeated FC Dallas Pre Academy 3-1 in penalty kicks after they were tied 1-1 at the end of overtime. AC Brea Captain, Tye Herandez, scored in the 13th minute, and FC Dallas’ Luis Pacheco followed with a goal just seven minutes later.
Under 13
San Diego Surf SC Academy Select beat their Southern California rivals, FC Golden State PDA, by a score of 3-1, to take home the club’s first “Boot and Ball” Championship trophy, in the Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXVI Under-13 final. Related Article on San Diego Surf SC Are Dallas Cup Champs
