Arsenal began the long flight to Texas this morning ahead of the clubs first visit to America in the Arsène Wenger era, as a squad made up of Under 19 players challenges for the Dallas Cup.
The Gunners will take part in the competitions show piece, the Gordon Jago SuperGroup, which sees some of the most prestigious names in world football go head-to-head. Arsenal know they could face Barcelona or even the Japan national team if they progress to the knock out stages.
The first of three games in four days kicks off on Sunday, against local side The Dallas Texans. Panama’s Chorrillo FC and Bolivia’s Club Bolivar make up a challenging start to the competition.
To shed some light on what the Dallas Cup is all about, Young Guns caught up with Chief Executive and the man behind the famed SuperGroup, Gordon Jago. He began by giving an introduction to the tournament.
“The Dallas Cup was started by the local Texas Longhorns Soccer Club in 1980 with a total of 36 teams. A far cry from today, which restricts its entry by invitation to 180 teams.”
“We have seven age groups. The SuperGroup Under 19’s, Under 19 and then every age group from Under 17 to Under 13. The SuperGroup attracts the top clubs from around the world, with previous winners including Sao Paulo, Liverpool FC, SC Corinthians, Nottingham Forest FC, Real Madrid, West Ham United FC and Dynamo Moscow.”
“Some of the past players to feature are David Beckham, Robinho, Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Edu, Peter Crouch, Jermaine Defoe, Landon Donovan, Javier Hernandez, Clint Dempsey and Guiseppe Rossi”.
Arsenal were invited to the competition last year, as a special agreement the organisers have with the Premier League. Gordon went to explain a little more about that, and how he found Arsenal to deal with.
“We have an arrangement with the Premier League whereby the winners each year of the Premier Academy League receive an invite to play in the tournament. Arsenal FC being the winners in 2010, accepted the invitation for this year. They couldn’t come after winning it in 2009, due to other commitments.”
“We contacted Liam Brady the Academy Director and the cooperation from all at Arsenal FC has been first class.”
The Dallas Cup is regarded by many as one the top tournaments in youth football. However, running such an expansive operation on and off the pitch is hard work. Gordon revealed some of the logistics he and his team deal with.
“The logistics are just unbelievable. The Dallas Cup employs four people but has just over 2000 volunteers organized by 32 Committee Chairpersons.”
“We have 180 teams, over 200 referees and 360 games. That works out as 8000 hotel room nights needing to be booked. There is 30 visiting overseas teams involved in our home stay program, whereby the teams players stay with the families of the local Dallas teams that are playing in the tournament. There is around $500,000 in air tickets sold by American Airlines, just for the Dallas Cup.”
“International teams, like Arsenal, will visit Children’s Hospitals, visit local schools for meet and greet, and take advantage of social activities like Pro Baseball and Basket ball games. There is a tour of the New Cowboys Stadium and JFK Memorial center, all organized by the Dallas Cup.”
“As stated, it is incredible that it all comes together, especially as I am supposed to be retired!”
Gordon completed the interview with his view on Arsenal’s new owner, Stan Kroenke.
“It’s a great move by Arsenal. Mr Kroenke will bring all the promotion, marketing and sales expertise from his ownership of American sports teams to Arsenal FC. It’s a very positive move.”
You can follow all the latest on the Dallas Cup right here on Young Guns.
Good post. Answered all my questions on the competition.
Any where to watch these games live?
Check out the website Ustream for coverage of Dallas Cup and Fox Soccer as mention! Enjoy!
also any confirmation on this J – http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_6872680,00.html
As someone who does not know much about the youth teams what type of players are going to play?
Anyone give me a heads up on the players and if there is anywhere that I can watch some games?
To clear up some points:
The knock out phase is being streamed online by Fox Soccer TV. The group stages are not streamed at present.
You can view the squad, minus Miquel and Aneke, here: http://younggunsblog.co.uk/2011/04/arsenal-confirm-dallas-cup-squad
About the Jenkinson stuff, its nothing new from what I reported a couple of weeks ago. Arsenal have agreed a deal with him, but are still sorting out compensation.
Cheers
I will be very suprised if we dont make the finals of this tournament
why? Many are from the U18 squad and they are not top of the table. Obviously only a few of them will get much playing time but it’s not like we will face bad teams. You are not invited to the top group if you are not a great team. I expect Barca to be in the final though.
I hope you are right b/c it’d be great for the lads’ confidence and exposure of our club. But how can you possibly know the level of the competition?! We won’t get Barca or Corintians until the Final, but even getting out of the group could be difficult or getting past Coritiba. There is a “home” team to play against in our group who will have a vocal backing, there is the jet-lag to deal with. There is the fact that over the last 6 years a Brazilian team has won every time bar 2008 when Liverpool won it. There is an English team involved most years who doesn’t win, and both Chelsea and Tottenham failed to win it last year.
Way too many variables to predict.
Yep fox soccer. for once it pays to be state side.
http://www.dallascup.com/home/516339.html
coquelin was extremely good against rennes, played 81 mins and scored.
his dribbling skills have certainly improved and we just have to sign kevin gameiro, he´s a mixture of villa and nasri, amazing striker!
15 mill plus sunu would be a great deal!
@Al i agree…i would like to see some full higlights of him playing though…I like what i see from kevin gamiero…we need someone like him to just score goals…he is amazing…