Dallas Cup adds Atlanta United Academy, Queretaro FC for 2018 event
DALLAS, Texas (Via Dallas Cup) – The Dr Pepper Dallas Cup has announced two more additions to the 2018 Gordon Jago Super Group: Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United FC and Queretaro FC of Liga MX will compete in the elite bracket at Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXIX.
Atlanta United FC joined Major League Soccer in 2017 and have made great strides at both the professional and academy levels since the club’s inception. The fledging club, which led Major League Soccer in attendance last season, has a distinct focus on the development of young players in their academy, taking full advantage of the surplus of homegrown talent in the Atlanta metro area.
In their inaugural US Soccer Development Academy campaign, the U15/16 Atlanta United team was crowned national champions. The U17/18 team finished atop the table after the regular season, but bowed out during the elimination stage. The academy hopes to add to its impressive resume with a Dallas Cup Super Group title in their tournament debut, becoming the second consecutive MLS academy team to hoist the iconic trophy and the third U.S. Super Group champion overall (2017- FC Dallas; 2006- Dallas Texans).
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“It’s important that our best groups of players get the most challenging games that they can for their development,” said Atlanta United Academy Director Tony Annan. “To be able to play against international teams like Arsenal, Manchester United, Tigres, Monterrey –– that caliber of teams that have a different style and way of playing is the most important thing for our academy players that want to move on to the next level.
Also joining the 2018 Gordon Jago Super Group is Liga MX’s Queretaro FC. Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXIX will mark the second Super Group appearance for the Mexican side, who last appeared in 2016. The club claimed two championship trophies at last year’s Dallas Cup, winning the U14 and U17 titles. They hope to add a Super Group “Boot and Ball” trophy to their collection this spring to become the first Mexican Super Group champion since Tigres in 2011. The team is likely to include U18 Mexico National Team members Jesus Perez and Jose Blandina.
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Atlanta United FC and Queretaro FC join a Super Group composed of several elite teams, including the academies of Premier League giants Manchester United and Arsenal, Liga MX champions Tigres, MLS champions Toronto FC, and defending Super Group champions FC Dallas, among others. Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXIX will be held from March 25 through April 1, 2018.
