Whitecaps Return To Dallas Cup
February 3, 2010 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that the Whitecaps Residency program are returning to the Dr Pepper Dallas Cup U-19 Super Group for a third consecutive year.
The young side will be looking to emulate the efforts made by the Residency team a year ago when they reached the Super Group final before falling 4-0 to Sao Paulo FC of Brazil. 2010 sees the prestigious youth tournament celebrate its 31st anniversary, and the Super Group will once again be well represented by top clubs from around the world. This year's tournament will include Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur from England, Eintracht Frankfurt and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim from Germany, Cruzeiro Esporte Clube of Brazil, as well as the Mexican national team (91/92), the Japanese national team (91/92) and the USA national team (91/92).
"The Dallas Cup tournament has become somewhat of an annual event for our program and we are very excited to participate in it once again," said Whitecaps Residency managing director and head coach Thomas Niendorf. "Although this is the program's third year in Dallas, it will be a new experience for a number of our players, and I believe it will prove to be extremely valuable. We are also looking into bringing a couple former Residency players that are currently training with the Whitecaps men's team for additional depth."
Dallas Cup XXXI will take place from March 28 to April 4 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas, and Richland College in Dallas, Texas. Last spring, the Residency team impressed many by their run to the Super Group final. The 'Caps won Bracket C after victories over Mexico's Club Futbol Monterrey, Argentine giants Club Atletico River Plate, and Texas club Andromeda SC U-18 Academy. The Residency squad then set up a final clash with Sao Paulo FC after defeating Germany's Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 in the semifinals.
First held in 1980, the Dallas Cup is one of world soccer's most recognized youth tournaments, with numerous clubs invited to compete each year. In 2009, Dallas Cup XXX held seven tournaments in the U-13 to U-19 age groups, with the Super Group being the tournament's marquee competition.
The Super Group, which first took place in 1990, has seen some of the world's most famous clubs win the tournament. Previous champions include England's West Ham United in 1992, Spain's Real Madrid in 1993 and 1994, Mexico's Club Universidad Nacional AC (UNAM Pumas) in 2001, England's Liverpool FC in 2008, and Sao Paulo FC in 1995, 2007, and 2009.
The Super Group has also featured some of world soccer's top stars in the formative stages of their career. The likes of Freddy Adu, David Beckham, Michael Carrick, Landon Donovan, Rafael Marquez, Michael Owen, Raul, and Wayne Rooney are all past participants.
Additional information about the Dr Pepper Dallas Cup can be found at dallascup.com.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency is based out of the Whitecaps Training Centre at Simon Fraser University, with a number of the players attending Burnaby Central Secondary School.
The elite youth program - for players from U-17 to U-19 - provides a development gateway through to professional opportunities with the Whitecaps men's team and European clubs. The program uses the European club model of identification, development, and placement.
Whitecaps Residency and the Whitecaps youth prospects programs are committed to cooperation and communication with the provincial and Canadian national team programs. Each player's professional commitments, education, club, and national or provincial team responsibilities are carefully considered and coordinated for optimal periodization.
North American Soccer League Stories from February 3, 2010
- Whitecaps Return To Dallas Cup - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Forward Roberto Brown Returns In 2010 - Montreal Impact
- FC Tampa Bay Rowdies Sign Iconic Japanese Midfielder Takuya Yamada - Tampa Bay Rowdies
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
