The youth academies of Primeira Liga’s FC Porto (Portugal) and Liga MX’s Club Tijunana (Mexico) have signed on for the inaugural edition of the LA Galaxy Cup, joining Premier League (U.K.) side Swansea City A.F.C. for the club’s new international youth tournament that will see world-class teams from across the globe competing in Southern California with Boys' & Girls' Development Academy & Club teams at the U-12 – U-19 level. Along with the LA Galaxy Academy sides, the LA Galaxy Cup will feature Premier League side Swansea City A.F.C. among other youth sides from European, Mexican and Major League Soccer clubs.
Teams can still register to participate in the LA Galaxy Cup at www.lagalaxycup.com.
“As this country continues to invest in soccer at the youth level, it is paramount that we provide opportunities to play against the best competition throughout the world, and there is no better area in the United States than a soccer hotbed like Southern California to host a tournament like this,” said former MLS goalkeeper and current LA Galaxy Youth Development Ambassador Dan Kennedy at the time of announcement. “We are extremely excited to launch the LA Galaxy Cup and provide our Academy athletes, along with youth athletes from across the United States, with the chance to compete against youth sides from world-class teams. We are committed to making the LA Galaxy Cup a premier youth soccer tournament in this country as we continue to raise the level of competition at the earliest possible ages.”
LA GALAXY CUP:
- The LA Galaxy Cup will showcase athletes from Boys' & Girls' Development Academy & Club teams at the U-12 – U-19 level
- The LA Galaxy Cup will be held from Wednesday, March 28 through Sunday, April 1 at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California.
- The Great Park has 18 fields, including a soccer-specific stadium with 5,000 seats to showcase top matches all in one location.
In addition to the LA Galaxy Academy teams, which compete in the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy, the tournament will feature numerous LA Galaxy Alliance Clubs from Southern California. The LA Galaxy Alliance Club Program is an extensive soccer development initiative for youth clubs that gives its members the best resources to reach their soccer and community potential.
The LA Galaxy Cup, supported by Welch’s Fruit Snacks, was created to offer a premier international competition for Boys’ and Girls’ Development Academy teams. The Galaxy plan to host a mix of European, Mexican, and Major League Soccer Academy teams to increase competition and provide a unique playing experience for each participating team.
