Proud Champions, American Youth Soccer Players Win New Tournament hosted by FC Bayern & International Soccer Academy
Highly successful inaugural International Academy Cup 2024 hosted at FC Bayern Munich celebrates proven player pathway and great coaching. Hertha BSC Integrated U17s were the only undefeated team in the Cup.
The International Academy Cup, hosted by International Soccer Academy and FC Bayern, was a four day soccer tournament in Germany held in May, 2024.
The highly competitive matches were played at the prestigious FC Bayern Campus and FC Bayern’s Säbener Straße, where the stars of today and tomorrow hone their skills. After extremely tough competition, Hertha BSC Integrated Academy U17s were the only undefeated team and claimed the title of champions.
The U17/18 teams from FC Bayern, Schalke 04, Hertha BSC and Cádiz CF played three matches each. Hertha BSC’s Integrated Academy won every match, allowing only one goal in scored by FC Bayern’s Global Academy in the last match.
The team coached by Daniel Felgenhauer and Francis Kioyo finished in the International Academy Cup finishing with 9 points, and proudly lifted the trophy on May 11, 2024.
International Academy Cup 2024 Standings
Each youth soccer match was highly competitive. All teams were guaranteed three games, each with 30 minute halves. The matches were played on beautiful grass fields at FC Bayern’s Säbener Straße (where the FC Bayern pro team trains) with the exception of the matches on the last day of the International Academy Cup, which were played at the prestigious FC Bayern Campus.
What The Coaches Think ….
When UEFA PRO and A licensed youth soccer head coaches and their staff take on tough competition, there are always great moments of triumph, defeat and surprise. While the FC Bayern Global Academy team were the hosts and the favorites to claim victory, their determination was not a match for the grit, force and skill of the Hertha Berlin squad.
However, to keep this real, it would be misleading not to mention that Cadiz CF’s Integrated Academy team defeated them with a decisive shutout a month before in a pre-tournament friendly.
“The matches were very competitive and I truly saw some talents who can make it in the Bundesliga from all teams,” said World Cup Winner Klaus Augenthalter, FC Bayern Global Academy Head Coach. Augenthalter holds a UEFA Pro License.
“There is no way around hard work so if these players continue to take advantage of this pathway, there is no stopping them.”
World Cup Winner Klaus Augenthalter, FC Bayern Global Academy Head Coach
“This tournament was a fantastic end to our year,” said Bundesliga Pro Patrick Weiser, FC Schalke 04 Integrated Team Head Coach. Weiser holds a UEFA Pro License.
“At our final tournament in Munich, we experienced our past year in a condensed form in three games. Against the strong FC Bayern Global Academy team, our players learned that small details can decide the difference between victory and defeat. In our final game our team rewarded itself with two very nice goals against our friends from Cádiz CF.”
READ: FROM BUNDESLIGA STAR TO INSPIRATIONAL COACH: THE JOURNEY OF PATRICK WEISER
“I am incredibly proud of my boys,” said Bundesliga Pro Daniel Felgenhauer, Hertha Berlin Integrated Team Head Coach. Felgenhauer holds a UEFA A License.
“The hard work and trust have paid off,” continued Felgenhauer. “We performed as a team on and off the pitch and deserved to win the tournament. The boys impressed in all areas and confirmed our work. It was a great end to the program. Now the boys should enjoy their vacation. I wish them all the best and hope they can take a lot with them for their future.”
“Francis and I have always believed in the boys.”
Daniel Felgenhauer, Head Coach Hertha BSC Integrated Academy
“Being the winner of the International Academy Cup, means a lot to us,” said Bundesliga Pro Francis Kioyo, Hertha Berlin Integrated Team Performance Coach.”Not because of the results, but because of the way we played — so intense, so mature, so powerful and very disciplined throughout the tournament. Winning three games in three days, while the others neutralized themselves, confirmed the performance and how we grew up as a team … an amazing finish!”
“What a great game we played against FC Bayern, defeating their Global Academy team after our team only began training in January 2024.”
La Liga pro Pablo Sánchez, Cádiz CF Integrated Team Head Coach
“My players defended as a block in the first half and took a step forward in the second half, creating a lot of danger on the counter,” said La Liga pro Pablo Sánchez, Cádiz CF Integrated Team Head Coach. Pablo Sánchez holds a UEFA Pro License. “The goal in the last minute of the match against FC Bayern Global Academy was well-deserved. The players showed that with hard work and teamwork, everything is possible. Congratulations, warriors!”
Farewell Dinner & Bundesliga Match at Allianz Arena
The International Academy Cup concluded with a Farewell Dinner hosted by International Soccer Academy at the prestigious Paulaner am Nockherberg – a historic location where FC Bayern celebrates their Bundesliga title.
It was a wonderful event with all the teams, as well as scouts, coaches and many of the plaeyrs’ parents who chose to fly over to Munich for the tournament.
International Soccer Academy 2023/24 Awards
FC Bayern Global Academy and FC Schalke 04, Cádiz CF and Hertha BSC International Academy Head Coach awards were given as well as Player Recognition awards presented by each team for Top Goal Scorer, Best Overall Player and Top Student Athlete.
Then, the next day all of the participating teams attended the FC Bayern vs Wolfsburg match.
