Everton FC Returns to Dr Pepper Dallas Cup
England’s Toffees will seek to become UK’s fifth Gordon Jago Super Group Champion
The Dr Pepper Dallas Cup is one of the most prestigious and highly competitive youth soccer tournament in the USA. Held annually just before Easter, the tournament’s reputation for excellence is unchallenged. Youth soccer teams travel from around the country and across the Atlantic to compete. While many teams want to compete in the Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXVI, only teams invited can attend. This year, the tournament will be held will from March 29 through April 5, 2015.
Seeking to become the Dallas Cup’s Gordon Jago Super Group Champions, England’s Everton FC has officially accepted the invitation to participate in this 2015 elite tournament. The Everton FC team is the current Barclays U18 Premier League Champion.
Many world famous players when they were youths competed in the Dallas Cup. In fact, there were 39 Dallas Cup alums on the 2014 World Cup rosters. Returning for a third time to the Dallas Cup, the Merseyside Club is recognized as being one of the premier developmental academies in England. Two of their esteemed graduates, 2014 FIFA World Cup players Wayne Rooney and Ross Barkley, appeared with Everton in the 1999 and 2012 Dallas Cup tournaments, respectively.
How competitive are these teams from England? In May of this year, Everton defeated Manchester City 1-0 to win the Barclays U18 Premier League, the highest level of youth soccer played in England. In consideration to represent the club in Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXVI are many of the players from that championship team, including Harry Charsley, who scored the championship-clinching goal, along with English U18 national team players Ryan Ledson, who recently captained England to the European U17 championship, Callum Connolly, and Jonjoe Kenny.
The Toffees upcoming trip to Dallas continues the long-standing relationship between the world-renowned tournament and the English Premier League. Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Manchester City are among the Premier League teams that have competed in past Dallas Cups. Fulham FC was the last English side to claim the Gordon Jago Super Group, hoisting the “Boot and Ball” trophy in 2013.
One of the oldest and most established football clubs, Everton was founded in 1887. Based in Liverpool, England and playing their games at historic Goodison Park, Everton is a highly respected member of the EPL. Known to their fans as the Toffees, Everton has produced several FIFA World Cup players, including Wayne Rooney and Ross Barkley. Having only been relegated to the second division twice in their 127-year history, Everton is one of the most consistent teams in English soccer. It is the current club for U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Did you know … Dr Pepper Dallas Cup is unique in the world of youth soccer tournament in the United States. It is the most international and draws teams from around the globe to come to the USA to compete. Consisting of age groups from U13 to U19, Dallas Cup averages more than 100,000 spectators during tournament week. Since its inception in 1980, Dallas Cup has hosted teams and referees from across 47 states, six continents and more than 100 countries.
