The U19s get off to a good start in the Dallas Cup

15/04/2019

The Yellows beat FC Dallas 3-1 in the competition’s opening match

The best possible start. The U19s beat FC Dallas 3-1 in the inaugural match of the prestigious Dallas Cup, which takes place until 21^st April. The Yellows beat the host team thanks to two goals from Jorge Galdón and another from Gonzaga Delage from the penalty spot.

Next up for the U19s is a match against Red Bull Brazil (Tuesday, 01:30am CEST). This match can be watched live on the following link: http://bit.ly/2U9wIPB

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 40^th 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.

Precisely in the last category, is where Villarreal U19s are competing. In the Gordon Jago Super Group, there are 12 teams divided in three groups of four teams. The three group champions and the best second-placed team will progress to the semi-finals. The Yellows U19s are in Group C alongside Queretaro FC (Mexico), Red Bull Brasil (Brazil) and FC Dallas (USA).

U19s Dallas Cup schedule:

U19s vs FC Dallas (3-1).
U19s vs Red Bull Brazil (Tuesday, 16th April at 1:30am CEST// Monday, 15th April 6:30pm local time). Link to watch the match: http://bit.ly/2U9wIPB
U19a vs Queretaro FC (schedule to be confirmed).

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 will become 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 will become part of this prestigious tournament’s history. An exciting challenge for the Yellows Academy.

Composition of the groups

Group A