San Diego Surf SC Teams Shine at 2017 Manchester City Cup
San Diego Surf SC continues to be one of the most successful youth soccer clubs in the country with top talent hoisting trophies at tournaments throughout the year. Internationally acclaimed, Surf SC’s elite boys and girls teams competed in a total of 12 finals at the third annual Manchester City Cup.
Related Article: 2017 Manchester City Cup Recap
Youth Soccer News: San Diego Surf SC had a standout performance at 2017 Manchester City Cup Presented by Nexen Tire held over Memorial Day weekend at SoCal Sports Complex in Oceanside and Surf Cup Sports Park in Del Mar.
With 422 teams competing from 8 states and two countries, this international, high caliber youth soccer tournament captivated soccer players, families and coaches.
The world-class youth tournament welcomed over 25,000 players, coaches, spectators and scouts from across the country and abroad, including two academy teams from England and two from Mexico.
Hosted by Surf Cup Sports, the professionally organized youth soccer tournament received a lot of local publicity — ABC, NBC and KUSI all sent TV crews to the fields — and Univision Deportes set up their multi-camera TV crew and televised 9 SuperGroup matches.
“Our partnership with Manchester City is helping grow the game of soccer in the USA,” said Jeremy McDonald, President of San Diego Surf SC. “This is about playing great soccer, competing and kids having fun.”
“As with all Surf Cup Sports events, the Manchester City Cup was well organized, the fields were in great condition, the competition was good, and the atmosphere is all about the game,” said Matt Bradbury, Executive Director of SGV Surf.
“Univision broadcasting the Man City Cup’s SuperGroup matches brings a new level of exposure to this high quality, internationally acclaimed youth soccer tournament,” says McDonald, who is also Vice-President of Surf Cup Sports. “Soccer fans were able to watch these highly competitive games on TV and see that they were played on pristine soccer fields that are as good, or better, than in any professional stadium.”
“This is an amazing youth tournament. Highly competitive games with kids really working hard to play great soccer. I am very proud to be here,” said Josh Henderson, Director of the Surf SC. “This is definitely one of the best youth soccer events in the country.”
The highly competitive international SuperGroup included academy teams from Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspurs, Club América, LA Galaxy, Seattle Sounders, San Jose Earthquakes, Houston Texans, Crossfire Premier, Pateadores SC, FC Golden State, San Diego Surf and the 2016 defending champions Xolos Academy — who earned the title of Champions again this year.
Benoit David‘s 2002 U.S. Soccer Development Academy team competed well, defeating Club América. “The Man City Cup is a great experience for all the players and a chance for our boys to challenge themselves and see how they measure up — playing against big name professional clubs they look up to. And, our boys did great. They got the chance to test themselves and see that their level is just as equal.”
In an international tournament that welcomed youth academies from abroad, SD Surf SC dominated the age brackets with eight titles hoisted during the event.
The winning squads included:
- SAN DIEGO SURF ACADEMY 2001 BOYS ACADEMY.
- SAN DIEGO SURF ACADEMY GIRLS SELECT 2007.
- SAN DIEGO SURF GIRLS 2005 EGSL.
- SAN DIEGO SURF ACADEMY GIRLS 2005.
- SAN DIEGO SURF USSDA G04.
- SAN DIEGO SURF 2003 ECNL.
- SAN DIEGO SURF ECNL ACADEMY GIRLS 2002.
- SAN DIEGO SURF ECNL ACADEMY GIRLS2000.
“Man City FC cup was a wonderful event driven by many wonderful and diverse teams traveling from across the globe,” said Mark Spooner, San Diego Surf Girls Director of Coaching.
“It was a great experience for our girls, one that kicked off the season for our younger program and some playoff preparation for our older girls before ECNL playoffs,” said Spooner.
“To do so well winning in so many age groups is a testament to our program, our staff and the work being done behind the scenes,” said Spooner.
“It was great effort from the 03s after a long ECNL season to come out with such a
tremendous attitude and professional approach to the weekend,” said Paul Dolinsky, SD Surf G03 and G04 head coach.
“We were able to win the tournament without conceding a goal,” said Dolinsky.
“I am also very proud of the effort the 04s gave all weekend after a slow start in the first game,” said Dolinsky. “We got a late winner in the 3rd group game that moved us into the semifinals against a tough Crossfire team and eventually played a very good Earthquakes team. The girls really performed well and executed the game plan extremely well. The looks in the girls faces and their non-stop effort showed how badly they wanted it. It was a great weekend for us leading into Regionals.”
The Surf SC boys teams also performed well at the Manchester City Cup.
“These 2001 boys have spent this past season preparing to join the USSF Academy system in the coming year,” said Melvin Cuellar, SD Surf 2001 Academy head coach. “Throughout the year, they were exposed to international competition as well as top ranked teams in the nation.”
“It was an amazing feeling to have won the Manchester City Cup and culminate the national competition coming out on top,” said Cuellar. The only thing left for this group this year, before joining the Academy system is Copa Chivas in Guadalajara in Mexico were they will compete in July.”
“What a great experience to see teams come play from England, Mexico and MLS and let our kids see the culture and standards they set and level of play at the youth level,” said Steve Hill, SD Surf Assistant Director of Coaching.
What is up next?
San Diego Surf clubs prepare for a busy summer as Surf Cup is now on the calendars of the teams. The event will be held July 28-31 for the older age groups and August 5-7 for younger teams.
More San Diego Surf Finalists and Champions
Here is a video recap of the 2017 Manchester City Cup Presented by Nexen Tire held over Memorial Day weekend.
