Post by QPR Report on Mar 31, 2010 8:09:37 GMT
Amazing guy (and of course coming to QPR for the End of the year dinner) 
Goal.com/ By J.R. Eskilson
Mar 24, 2010
En Route: The Prestigious Dallas Cup
Ahead of Sunday’s Opening Games, Dallas Cup Executive Director Gordon Jago talks with Goal.com about the youth tournament.
This week, 180 teams from all over the globe will gather in Dallas, Texas to take part in one of the most revered youth tournaments in the world. The exclusive invitation-only tournament had over 300 applications this year. Established in 1980, Dallas Cup has a very high level of competition as well as a good diversity of teams, 30% international, 55% American, and 15% local, that makes it so appealing to players, coaches, and fans alike.
Through the years, the Cup has hosted some of the top international teams from Spain’s Real Madrid to Brazil’s Sao Paolo. It has showcased amazing talent from English striker Wayne Rooney to Brazilian fullback Maicon. It is a one-week event that puts some of the best youth players in the world on display deep in the heart of Texas.
At the pinnacle of the competition is the U-19 Super Group, the most elite youth competition in this country. This year the tournament expanded the group from 12 to 16 teams to accommodate the extra interest from top clubs in the world such as Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea FC, and Cruziero among others.
Dallas Cup executive director Gordon Jago points to the “high quality” of the Super Group where, a few years ago, Manchester United brought their U-19s to Texas. Now, three members of that team are breaking through to first team action. One of those players is Giuseppe Rossi who was sold just days after returning from Texas to La Liga side Villarreal for six millions pounds.
Also, the 2010 Dallas Cup welcomes, for the first time, three international teams to the Super Group: Japan, Mexico and the United States. Jago stated, “These teams are using this competition as preparation for their U-20 World Youth Championship qualifying.” The quality of opponents in this tournament provides a good tune up for the coaches and players before they embark in their confederation games.
Jago went on to say that one of his most anticipated games of the tournament this year is the opening night game between the U.S.’s U-19s and Mexico’s U-19s. “It is just tremendous to have both those teams in one bracket.”
U.S. head coach Thomas Rongen brought in a solid group of players for the Cup including Notre Dame standout and local product Dillon Powers, recent Houston Dynamo addition Francisco Navas Cobo, and Philadelphia Union rookie Amobi Okugo.
Among the long list of future stars that will be playing at Dallas Cup this year is Ruben Luna. Luna is an original member of the FC Dallas juniors program. The 18-year-old striker featured with FC Dallas' first team during the pre-season and looks like a strong possibility to sign with them this season. Last year, he was voted the Development Academy Player of the Year for the U-15/16 age group for the 2008-2009 season. He will play for the FC Dallas Academy team in the Super Group, which opens group play against Chelsea FC on Sunday.
Beyond the Super Group, there are six groups from the age U-13 up to a regular U-19 bracket adding to a wide variety of nations that send clubs to the event. From New Zealand to China, there are 54 international club teams that will take part in the festivities this year. Including one peace team that is made up of half Israeli and half Palestinian players. Jago described the team as one of the “very rewarding experiences" during his eight years in charge of the event.
Possibly the best initiative that makes Dallas Cup such a unique experience is the HomeStay program. It is designed to help alleviate some of the costs for international teams by having the local clubs host them. Jago estimated that it cuts down the cost for international teams by $2500-3000 making the event a more viable option to various countries. He went on to talk about how he sees the amazing long-standing friendships that develop between the boys in the HomeStay program.
Making a return to the competition this year is women’s soccer. After a thirteen-year hiatus from Dallas Cup, the tournament brought in the U.S. U-17s and Brazil U-17s for an exhibition. The game will benefit the Susan G. Komen charity. Jago explained, “With three of the board members and my wife as breast Cancer survivors, it made sense to put on this game for a great cause.” The game will be the highlight of Saturday’s championship fixtures.
Another new experience that Jago was looking forward to this year was the South African club team, Archbishop Tutu’s Ikapa United, joining Dallas Cup. It is a multiracial team that had to work very hard to get to Dallas. Jago explained, “I am really looking forward to meeting them. These are the kids that would never have this chance without the Archbishop Tutu’s academy (and the HomeStay program).” Archbishop Tutu’s Ikapa United will play in the U-19 regular group and be the only club to march in the opening parade. Jago said that with it being the World Cup year, it was fitting to recognize the visitors from South Africa in the opening ceremony.
Dallas Cup kicks off Sunday with the host club, Dallas Texans, facing Tottenham Hotspurs in the Super Group. The games will take place over a week at Pizza Hut Park and Richland College Complex with the finals on Saturday and Sunday. For more information about tickets and schedules, visit www.dallascup.com
J.R. Eskilson is the youth soccer editor at Goal.com Follow him at twitter.com/NCAAsoccer
goal.com/en-us/news/145/goalcom-features/2010/03/24/1848250/en-route-the-prestigious-dallas-cup
Goal.com/ By J.R. Eskilson
Mar 24, 2010
En Route: The Prestigious Dallas Cup
Ahead of Sunday’s Opening Games, Dallas Cup Executive Director Gordon Jago talks with Goal.com about the youth tournament.
This week, 180 teams from all over the globe will gather in Dallas, Texas to take part in one of the most revered youth tournaments in the world. The exclusive invitation-only tournament had over 300 applications this year. Established in 1980, Dallas Cup has a very high level of competition as well as a good diversity of teams, 30% international, 55% American, and 15% local, that makes it so appealing to players, coaches, and fans alike.
Through the years, the Cup has hosted some of the top international teams from Spain’s Real Madrid to Brazil’s Sao Paolo. It has showcased amazing talent from English striker Wayne Rooney to Brazilian fullback Maicon. It is a one-week event that puts some of the best youth players in the world on display deep in the heart of Texas.
At the pinnacle of the competition is the U-19 Super Group, the most elite youth competition in this country. This year the tournament expanded the group from 12 to 16 teams to accommodate the extra interest from top clubs in the world such as Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea FC, and Cruziero among others.
Dallas Cup executive director Gordon Jago points to the “high quality” of the Super Group where, a few years ago, Manchester United brought their U-19s to Texas. Now, three members of that team are breaking through to first team action. One of those players is Giuseppe Rossi who was sold just days after returning from Texas to La Liga side Villarreal for six millions pounds.
Also, the 2010 Dallas Cup welcomes, for the first time, three international teams to the Super Group: Japan, Mexico and the United States. Jago stated, “These teams are using this competition as preparation for their U-20 World Youth Championship qualifying.” The quality of opponents in this tournament provides a good tune up for the coaches and players before they embark in their confederation games.
Jago went on to say that one of his most anticipated games of the tournament this year is the opening night game between the U.S.’s U-19s and Mexico’s U-19s. “It is just tremendous to have both those teams in one bracket.”
U.S. head coach Thomas Rongen brought in a solid group of players for the Cup including Notre Dame standout and local product Dillon Powers, recent Houston Dynamo addition Francisco Navas Cobo, and Philadelphia Union rookie Amobi Okugo.
Among the long list of future stars that will be playing at Dallas Cup this year is Ruben Luna. Luna is an original member of the FC Dallas juniors program. The 18-year-old striker featured with FC Dallas' first team during the pre-season and looks like a strong possibility to sign with them this season. Last year, he was voted the Development Academy Player of the Year for the U-15/16 age group for the 2008-2009 season. He will play for the FC Dallas Academy team in the Super Group, which opens group play against Chelsea FC on Sunday.
Beyond the Super Group, there are six groups from the age U-13 up to a regular U-19 bracket adding to a wide variety of nations that send clubs to the event. From New Zealand to China, there are 54 international club teams that will take part in the festivities this year. Including one peace team that is made up of half Israeli and half Palestinian players. Jago described the team as one of the “very rewarding experiences" during his eight years in charge of the event.
Possibly the best initiative that makes Dallas Cup such a unique experience is the HomeStay program. It is designed to help alleviate some of the costs for international teams by having the local clubs host them. Jago estimated that it cuts down the cost for international teams by $2500-3000 making the event a more viable option to various countries. He went on to talk about how he sees the amazing long-standing friendships that develop between the boys in the HomeStay program.
Making a return to the competition this year is women’s soccer. After a thirteen-year hiatus from Dallas Cup, the tournament brought in the U.S. U-17s and Brazil U-17s for an exhibition. The game will benefit the Susan G. Komen charity. Jago explained, “With three of the board members and my wife as breast Cancer survivors, it made sense to put on this game for a great cause.” The game will be the highlight of Saturday’s championship fixtures.
Another new experience that Jago was looking forward to this year was the South African club team, Archbishop Tutu’s Ikapa United, joining Dallas Cup. It is a multiracial team that had to work very hard to get to Dallas. Jago explained, “I am really looking forward to meeting them. These are the kids that would never have this chance without the Archbishop Tutu’s academy (and the HomeStay program).” Archbishop Tutu’s Ikapa United will play in the U-19 regular group and be the only club to march in the opening parade. Jago said that with it being the World Cup year, it was fitting to recognize the visitors from South Africa in the opening ceremony.
Dallas Cup kicks off Sunday with the host club, Dallas Texans, facing Tottenham Hotspurs in the Super Group. The games will take place over a week at Pizza Hut Park and Richland College Complex with the finals on Saturday and Sunday. For more information about tickets and schedules, visit www.dallascup.com
J.R. Eskilson is the youth soccer editor at Goal.com Follow him at twitter.com/NCAAsoccer
goal.com/en-us/news/145/goalcom-features/2010/03/24/1848250/en-route-the-prestigious-dallas-cup