FRISCO, Texas (April 3, 2018) – Four North Texas Soccer teams reached the knockout stage of Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXIX, which took place March 25- April 1 in Dallas. The Dallas Cup is one of the oldest and most prestigious international youth soccer tournaments in the United States.
Defending US Youth Soccer National Champions Solar 02 Stricker reached the Under-16 final after advancing to the semifinals last year, while Under-13 Dallas Kicks 05 Selecao, Under-17 FC Dallas 01 Central and Under-19 FC Dallas 99 Premier reached the quarterfinals of the prestigious tournament.
Under-13 Boys
Dallas Kicks 05 began the tournament with a convincing 4-0 win over CHS Battery SC 05 USL (SC) and drew FC Wichita 05 Academy (KS) 2-2 in the second match of group play. Dallas Kicks secured first place in its group after defeating Mexican side Delfines S.D. 4-1 on the final day of group play. Kicks would fall to eventual finalists Ryados Mcallen 05 (TX-S) 3-1 in the quarterfinals.
Under-16 Boys
Solar began Dallas Cup play by defeating FC Dallas Mexico 02 2-0 before earning a 1-0 over Tuzos Academy (AZ) in a rematch of the 2017 National Championships final. Solar would earn a spot in the quarterfinals with a 3-1 win over Chicago Blues FC (IL) in the final group match. Solar would return to the semifinals courtesy of a 3-0 win over Prepa TEC out of Mexico. Solar then secured a second-straight win by three goals in the semifinals with a 4-1 victory over Albion SC 02 DA (CA-S). In the finals, Solar would score the first goal against Mexican side Queretaro Gallos Blancos in the tournament, but Queretaro would ultimately win 2-1. Defending National, South Region and North Texas State Cup champions Solar 02 Stricker secured its first National League title in March, and with it the opportunity to defend its national title at the 2018 National Championships in Frisco, Texas this summer.
Under-17 Boys
FC Dallas 01 Central began its Dallas Cup tournament in style with a 4-0 over Prepa TEC 4-0 before edging out Santa Clara Sporting 01 Green (CA-N) 1-0 in the second group play match. FC Dallas rounded out group play with a 4-1 win over Downtown LVSC 01 Academy (NV) to advance to the quarterfinals. FC Dallas would be the only team to net two goals against eventual champions Maebushi Ikuei, but FC Dallas would fall to the Japanese side 3-2.
Under-19 Boys
Three-time defending North Texas State Cup champions FC Dallas 99 Premier defeated Korea Sports Academy 3-1 in the opening Dallas Cup match. The 2017 Southern Regional semifinalists drew SC del Sol 99 (AZ) 1-1 in the second match, but FC Dallas would win the group after a 2-0 victory over Placer United 99/00 Gold (CA-N). FC Dallas was narrowly defeated by eventual champions FC Golden State White 99 (CA-S) 1-0 in the quarterfinals.