San Diego Surf BU13 Academy Select Are Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXVI Champions
The Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXVI prides itself on being 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 beginning 36 years ago. Being crowned Dallas Cup Champion is a great achievement for any of the U13 to U19 teams competing and this year it was Cal South vs Cal South in the Final of the U13 bracket as San Diego Surf took on local, long-time rival Golden State for the honor of being Dallas Cup Champion.
The most competitive youth soccer teams in America travel to Dallas, Texas, to compete in the Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXVI. In fact, teams from all across the world seek the glory of becoming Dallas Cup Champions. Winning the Dallas Cup is a monumental achievement. The week-long event started on Palm Sunday and ended on Easter Sunday, the Dallas Cup prides itself on phenomenal soccer and giving back to the community. Related Article on 2015 Dallas Cup.
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. Alfredo Moran scored two goals and Zachary McGordon, known as Balo to his teammates, scored one to lead their team to victory against Golden State Academy (GSA).
“It is a cherished trophy won by some of the world’s greatest youth teams,” said Andy Swift, Dallas Cup Tournament Director. “This year, the Dallas Cup had 188 teams from 41 countries at our opening celebration.”
San Diego Surf Academy Select BU13 team was coached by Steve Hill and Melvin Cuellar. Surf SC Director of Coaching, Colin Chesters said, “A fantastic accomplishment by Steve, Melvin and the boys. This win cements the team as one of the best younger boys teams in the Surf Club’s history. We hope the group will go on to accomplish some great things in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy over the next few years.”
To travel to Texas to compete against another team from Cal South in the U13 final did not surprise anyone. Four youth teams from Cal South emerged from bracket play in the Dallas Cup to compete in the Quarter Finals; Surf SC, GSA, United FC and FC Los Angeles. Surf SC defeated Cedar Stars Academy in the Quarter Finals 2-1 and then eliminated United FC in the Semi Finals with the final score of 3-0.
Surf SC had just played GSA in the Cal South National Cup only a few weeks earlier and took them on again in the Final. Coach Hill said, “It is always a tough game when we play GSA. They are a fully funded club and they draw from LA, a much bigger area than San Diego. It is never an easy game against them but we played brilliantly in the second half and earned the title Dallas Cup Champions.”
This Surf SC BU13 Academy Select team has won numerous championships before including 2014 National Cup Champions, 2014 Far West Regional Finalists (losing to GSA), 2014/13 NHB Back-toBack Champions, 2014 Cerritos Champions, 2013 Surf Cup Champions, 2013 West Coast Champions among others and have won a high percentage of league matches. According to team manager Robert Uno, in the past two years, the team has scored 288 goals and only allowed a total of 83 goals in. The Dallas Cup roster also included several players from Cuellar’s Surf team as well as two additions to the roster from West Coast.
“With roster changes allowed all the way up to the day before the tournament, teams can make changes until Saturday’s registration,” added Swift. Many of the Surf SC team players had to work out independent academic projects to miss school to compete in the tournament.
After co-coaching the team at Dallas Cup, Cuellar said, “It was a good experience to watch this talented group of players compete in Dallas Cup. They were very disciplined. They deserved the win and I am very proud of all of them.”
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.
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.
All the 2015 Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXVI Champions:
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)
