The Blues will head back to San Diego for a third successive year this May as part of the Manchester City Cup, which will again be delivered with Surf Cup Sports.
Registration is now open for the 2017 instalment of the West Coast tournament, which welcomes boys’ and girls’ aged U8s-U19s on Memorial Day Weekend - 27-29 May.
With more than 350 teams expected to attend, this year’s Manchester City Cup is on track to be one of the most competitive youth tournaments in the US.
It’s had the backing of City boss Pep Guardiola, too, who believes its aim of providing teams from around the world with the opportunity to challenge themselves and make the most of their abilities is crucial to young players’ development.
“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”, he said.
“This is the ultimate test for any team and coach. These are the defining moments in soccer when bonds are forged among the group and you grow as one team.”
City will be represented in the competition by the 2002 age group Academy squad, who will feature in a ‘super group’, which pits elite academy teams against each other.
The young Blues will face off against fellow Premier League side, Spurs, as well as the defending champions from Mexico, Tijuana Xolos and a number of MLS clubs, as they do battle for the title.
Gavin Rhodes, Head of City Football Schools, is pleased to be revisiting San Diego and to have the opportunity to develop the Club’s relationship with soccer fans across the US.
“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,” he commented.
“This tournament represents a unique opportunity for young players to develop as footballers and for Manchester City to connect with soccer fans across America.”
In addition to improving young players, coaches will also have the chance to hone their skills when Manchester City Academy Director, Mark Allen, delivers a coaching workshop.
Introduced for the first time last year, the symposium is again included in the event itinerary as Allen revisits the Club’s Academy philosophy on Wednesday 24 May at the SoCal Sports Complex in Oceanside.
The Blues’ Academy boss will provide an in-depth take on City’s approach to youth development and will look at how its ideas work on a day-to-day basis and how this philosophy can be transferred to each coach’s individual training programme.
For more details and registration information, please visit www.manchestercitycup.com
