Whitecaps return to Dallas Cup

February 3, 2010

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 United States 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.

About Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
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.

ABOUT VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
In 1974, Vancouver Whitecaps FC played their inaugural season in the North American Soccer League, and in 1979, the club won the NASL Soccer Bowl championship. From 1987 to 1992, as a member of the Canadian Soccer League, Vancouver won four straight CSL titles. In 2002, the Whitecaps created a full club model that encompasses professional teams for men and women, extensive youth development and grassroots participation programs, facility development, and the Whitecaps Foundation to support specific initiatives related to health and wellness through soccer. Since 2004, the Whitecaps have won two United Soccer Leagues First Division championships and two USL W-League championships. As a member of the new NASL, the Whitecaps will play in a second division league established and administered by the United States Soccer Federation. In 2011, Vancouver will play their inaugural season in Major League Soccer. For more information, visit whitecapsfc.com.

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