By Albatross
April 15 2003

Hartlepool United's youngsters are taking part in the prestigious Dallas Cup - but what's it all about? And how are we doing? The answer is, pretty well so far. Let's have a look at the competition Paul Stephenson and the lads are involved in.

The Dallas Cup is in its 24th year, and has traditionally attracted teams from all over the world; this year is no exception. There are six competitions and five age ranges (the top range has two competitions), and Pools are competing in the u16 competition. The tournament rules state that games for this age range are 40 minutes each way instead of 45; and with the temperatures in the high 80s, that's no bad thing.

32 teams are competing at this level, and they are quite literally from all over the world. The majority of the teams are from the US, but as well as Pools there are teams from Ireland (Shelbourne), Canada (Ajax Gunners, Dixie Vipers and Woodbridge Strikers) and Mexico (Tigres and CD Guadalajara). We are in Group D alongside Dallas side Solar SC, United 87 from Las Vegas, and Chicago Magic. This last side actually won the u16 competition back in 1997; last year's winners were Guadalajara. The u16 competition has in the past been won by teams from El Salvador, Georgia, Czechoslovakia and Canada as well as the USA - but in recent years the age group has been dominated by Mexican teams, who have between them won three of the last four competitions. Mexico in general seems to do well in the Dallas Cup, and in 2001 won every age group!

Only the top team in each group will qualify for the next phase, and at the moment Pools are handily placed. A 0-0 draw with Solar in the first game on Sunday was followed by a 2-1 win over United 87 yesterday. In the other group match played so far, Chicago Magic also drew 0-0 with Solar, and are due to play United 87 today (Tuesday). At the moment, that leaves Hartlepool top of the group, and with a great chance of reaching the quarter finals. Their final group game against Chicago Magic will take place on Wednesday Night UK Time.

While Pools may be the only English team competing in the u16s, they are far from being the only English team out there. Newcastle United have a team in the u19 "Super" Competition, Manchester United have sent an u14 team, and Bolton Wanderers have sent an u12 team. There are also teams representing Wolverhampton Schools and the borough of Knowsley, near Liverpool. At other age levels there are also prestigious names such as Sporting Lisbon, UNAM Pumas (Mexico), and two US National Youth squads that are taking part in the u17 and u19 tournaments.

For more information on the Dallas Cup, try visiting their Official Site - Pools are in the u16 Group, Bracket D.