PRESS RELEASE
Friday, February 17th 2017
Manchester City and San Diego Surf Cup Sports Announce
the Return of Their Annual Youth Soccer Tournament
THE MANCHESTER CITY CUP
- The Manchester City Cup returns to San Diego for third consecutive year
- Tournament to include ‘Super Group’ competition, featuring Manchester City’s (2002) squad, among other elite academy squads
- Coaching workshops to be delivered to participating coaches by Manchester City Academy Director Mark Allen
San Diego, CA – Manchester City, one of the world’s most successful soccer teams, and Surf Cup Sports, one of the most influential and recognized youth soccer and events management programs in the United States, have today announced open registration for their annual youth soccer tournament, the Manchester City Cup.
The third annual Manchester City Cup delivered by Surf Cup Sports will be held Memorial Day weekend, May 27 – 29, 2017, and feature boys’ and girls’ teams competing in all age groups from U8s right through to U19s. Last year 316 teams took part and with more than 350 teams expected to participate in 2017, the tournament is on pace to be one of the largest and most competitive youth soccer tournaments in the United States.
Commenting on the importance of the Manchester City Cup to youth and coach development, Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola said:
“One thing my career has taught me is that to become the best player or manager you can possibly be; you need to play against the best. This is the ultimate test for any team and coach. These are the defining moments in football when bonds are forged among the group and you grow as one team.”
The goal of the Manchester City Cup is to provide a forum within which international teams, national teams and local teams can play each other, challenge themselves, and test their abilities to help them become the best they can be; all whilst providing aspiring young players with a variety of pathways to help them achieve their goals.
A unique component of the tournament is the ‘Super Group’ competition, featuring 2002 age group academy players from a range of international clubs, including Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur FC, and the Tijuana Xolos, as well as a selection of MLS and US Soccer DA clubs.
Jeremy McDonald, President of the San Diego Surf Soccer Club, said:
“We are incredibly proud of the partnership we have with Manchester City. Over the past three years, we have worked together to host the Manchester City Cup and the success of the tournament has helped further cement Surf Cup Sports’ reputation as the leading brand for development of youth soccer players in the San Diego area and across the country.”
Gavin Rhodes, Head of City Football Schools, added:
“This is the third year Manchester City is partnering with Surf Cup Sports to host the Manchester City Cup and we are delighted by the growth of the event since 2015. This tournament represents a unique opportunity for young players to develop as footballers and for Manchester City to connect with soccer fans across America.”
To build on the success of last year’s inaugural symposium, Manchester City Academy Director, Mark Allen will once again be returning to the SoCal Sports Complex in Oceanside on Wednesday, May 24 to deliver a coaching workshop to all participating coaches. The 2017 event will revisit the Academy philosophy and look at how it works when implemented on a day-to-day basis and how the basic tenants of the philosophy can be transferred to each coach’s individual training programme.
This is a Class I tournament, open to USYSA, US Club Soccer, Super Y League and FIFA affiliated teams. All champions and finalists out of the first place pool will receive automatic acceptance into the summer Surf Cup tournament. All games will be played between two locations: San Diego Polo Fields in Del Mar and the SoCal Sports Complex in Oceanside.
For more details and registration information, please visit www.manchestercitycup.com
Press contact
Mercedes Antrobus
Mercedes.Antrobus@cityfootball.com
+44 161 438 7781
+44 7525 613068
About Manchester City Football Club
Manchester City FC is an English Premier League club whose roots began in East Manchester in 1880 as St Mark’s West Gorton. It officially became Manchester City FC in 1894 and has since then gone onto win the European Cup Winners’ Cup, four League Championship titles, including two Premier League titles, and five FA Cups. Manchester City FC is one of four teams comprising the City Football Group and counts New York City FC, Melbourne City FC and Yokohama F-Marinos among its sister clubs.
Under manager Pep Guardiola, one of the most highly decorated managers in world football, the Club plays its domestic and UEFA Champions League home fixtures at the Etihad Stadium, a spectacular 55,000 seat arena that City have called home since 2003. Today, the Stadium sits on the wider Etihad Campus, which also encompasses the City Football Academy, a world-leading first team training and youth development facility located in the heart of East Manchester. Featuring a 7,000 capacity Academy Stadium, the City Football Academy is also where Manchester City Women’s Football Club and the Elite Development Squad train on a daily basis and play their competitive home games.
For more information, please visit: www.mancity.com
About Surf Cup Sports
Surf Cup Sports is one of the most influential and recognized soccer programs and event organizers in the nation. Established in 1977, and celebrating its 40th Anniversary, as an all-star club for San Diego’s best youth soccer players. It has since evolved into a national powerhouse in the youth soccer community, combining a successful club and a world-class sports event management company. The organization produces the nationally renowned Surf Cup tournament, bringing together the “best of the best” youth soccer players and their families to compete in “America’s Finest City.” By producing more than 35 sporting events per year, Surf Cup Sports is the second largest filler of hotel rooms in San Diego County, as confirmed by a San Diego State University report published in 2015.