Dallas Cup Memories

We're very lucky to live in a place where within a quick drive you can take in every major professional sport, including Nascar (I've been to a race but still haven't figured out that one yet)! Once a year one of the best amateur sporting events in the world comes to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, the Dallas Cup Soccer Tournament. Teams from around the world come in and compete in this youth soccer event in what is a truly unique showcase of the sport's international flavor. This year was no different as Liverpool, yes that Liverpool from England, beat Tigres of Mexico in the finals of the Super Group yesterday at Pizza Hut Park.

I always love this tournament as I was lucky enough to get to participate in 2 U19 Dallas Cups, including the 1993 Super Group, as a member of the La Jolla Nomads. There's nothing like it as an 18-year-old walking out in front of 6,000 screaming fans with drums beating and chants going. I played teams from Mexico, Russia, South America, Italy and England. Two of the highlights included getting to play against future Italian National Team player Dino Baggio (Roberto his brother made world cup history the following year missing a penalty in the world cup final) and losing a tight quarterfinal match in Lake Highlands Stadium in front of a packed house to favorite Tahuichi who went to lose to Real Madrid in the final!

Brings back some great memories, but time to get back to reality and go have a run to realize I'm definately not 18 any more!