The U19s beat Querétaro 2-1 and will play in the semi-finals of the Dallas Cup against New York City
Villarreal’s U19s (Juvenil A) will play for the chance of getting into the Dallas Cup final after beating Querétaro FC (2-1) in the final match of the group stage, which allows the Yellows to qualify for the semi-finals as group leaders, thanks to goals from Carlo Adriano and Álex Baena.
Miguel Ángel Tena’s side will face New York City on Friday at 7pm Dallas Time (2am CEST on Saturday), while the other semi-final is between CF Monterrey and CF Tigres.
With their latest win against the Mexican side, the U19s have sealed a perfect group performance, with three wins, against FC Dallas (2-1), Red Bull Brasil (4-1) and Querétaro FC (2-1).
Miguel Ángel Tena has taken 20 players to Dallas for the competition. The squad is made up of the following players: Filip Jorgensen, Javier Cendón, Miguel Operé, Vadik Murria, Izan Morcillo, Dani Pereiro, Gonzaga Delage, Rodrigo Robles, Javi Comeras, José Luis Blanco, Alejandro René, Borja Marzá, Álvaro Santos, Dani Tasende, Jorge Galdón, Álex Baena, Fer Niño, Carlo Adriano, Diego Collado and Iván Morante.
The Dallas Cup is a tournament of massive proportions which is celebrating its 40th edition. There are a total of ten different competitions within the same tournament. A total of 248 different teams will take part in the Dallas Cup, divided in the following categories: U12s, U13s, U14s, Univisión Deportes Super U14s, U15s, U16s, U17s, U18s, U19s and U19s Gordon Jago Super Group.
The matches will take place in impressive facilities. There are a total of four stadiums: Toyota Stadium, Cotton Bowl Stadium, MoneyGram Soccer Park (named ‘Pitch of the Year’ by Sports Turf magazine) and Richland College.
Five ‘groguets’ have already taken part in the tournament
It will be the first time a team from Villarreal CF will take part in the tournament, although a number of players with a past or present linking them to the Yellows have already been involved. That includes Ramiro Funes Mori, who played in the 2008 edition, Mexican brothers Giovani and Jonathan dos Santos (2001), American forward Jozy Altidore (2004) and the Submarine’s all-time top LaLiga scorer, Giuseppe Rossi (2006).
Fifth Spanish club to take part in the Dallas Cup
Villarreal are the fifth Spanish club to take part in this prestigious tournament. Real Madrid last took part in 2006, FC Barcelona in 2011, Valencia CF in 2015 and Real Oviedo in 2018. Real Madrid won the tournament in 1993 and 1994.
Dallas Cup is the oldest and most prestigious youth football tournament in the US. With groups from U12s to U19s, the Dallas Cup averages more than 100,000 spectators throughout the tournament week. After its start in 1980, the Dallas Cup has hosted teams and referees from 47 states, six continents and over 100 countries. Villarreal have become part of this prestigious tournament’s history. An exciting challenge for the Yellows Academy.
