In the ultimate U-16 soccer tournament on Saturday, four premier teams from Texas took on the best Mexican soccer clubs in the finals of Red Bull Battle del Toro. After three scorching days of competition, Atlas from Guadalajara (team pictured below) took the trophy and won the opportunity to travel to Red Bull Arena to take on the Red Bull New York academy team.
This tournament afforded teams from both sides of the Rio Grande the opportunity to compete against foreign talent in a setting that fostered sportsmanship and an opportunity to assess strengths and weaknesses among players and teams from another training regimen.
“We practiced for three weeks to prep for this tournament,” said Classics Elite player Luis Aviles. “However, we’ve never played these Mexican teams before, so we didn’t know what to expect. Next year, we’ll come even more prepared.”
“To be successful, these kids need to play with passion, drive, discipline and the belief they can make it,” said two-time World Cup goalkeeper for Mexico, Jorge Campos. “My dream was always to play professional soccer, so I went out each day and fought with everything I had.”
Ian Fohrman/Red Bull Photofiles
Representing Texas:
Classics Elite/San Antonio
Dallas Texans/Dallas
FC Dallas/Dallas
Albion Hurricanes/Houston
Representing Mexico:
Mexico Club America/Mexico City
Tigres UANL/Monterrey
Atlas/Guadalajara
Chivas de Guadalajara/Guadalajara
Final Match: Atlas v. Chivas
Atlas wins 2-1
Atlas goals: Huber Axel Lopez Castro & Daniel Yair Delgadillo Pulido
Atlas assist: Huber Axel Lopez Castro
Chivas goal: William Guzman
Mike Arzt/Red Bull Photofiles
Adidas Golden Boot (top goal scorer): Huber Axel Lopez Castro of Atlas, who scored six goals in three games
Adidas Golden Glove (top goal keeper): Hector Armando Lomeli De Anda of Atlas, who allowed just two goals in three games.
Final Standings:
1st – Atlas
2nd – Chivas
3rd – Tigres
4th – FC Dallas
5th – Dallas Texans
6th – Club America
7th – Classics Elite – San Antonio
8th – Albion Hurricanes – Houston
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