Dallas Cup 2015

Hello hello from the land of the Hobbit! How's the weather and all in Dallas? :-)

Oh come on people, I'm new here but totally harmless :-) My son and his team are on their way to Dallas as I type. My husband and I were unable to tag along so searched and found this forum, trying to get the feel even though from distance, from New Zealand to be exact. 8 days to go! :-)

Welcome! The weather is unusually cold and it's been raining a lot in the last days. By the time the Dallas Cup starts, the weather should improve. But you never know in Texas, the weather can change dramatically the same day! Which age group is your son playing? Which local team is hosting them?

Hi! I was starting to think I was somewhat invisible...hehe. My son is U16 and they are staying at a hotel, no homestay although would have been nice if they could have. I told him yes, games are of course important but to mix & mingle with locals and making friends with like-minded guys from there is equally important to make the most of this exciting opportunity. BTW, a mishap for his team already.. Flight from Sydney arrived a little late. 9 made it to their connecting flight to Dallas, rest didn't so a day in LA. My son is in Dallas since 130pm your time, trying very hard to stay awake til dark so jetlag won't be too bad..hehe. Yes, I hope the weather will improve and stay balanced this weekend! End of long summer here, Easter in 2 weeks. NZ is hosting U20 World Cup soon. I encouraged son to connect with locals and if any of them are coming to watch the Cup, we can be host even though we don't live in a 5 star castle..lol. So wish I was there, too!

Is staying at a hotel a choice of your team? Most foreign teams are hosted by local families, but they can be hosted for no more than ten days. Your team is here early!

Hi Laroja, I'm not too sure if it was a conscious decision or something out of our team management's control.. Team will spend their next few days resting, training, pre-Cup games then settle in the area of the Cup. Are you going to the game? Can I ask if players can purchase franchise Dallas Cup goods on site or are there shops they can go to near by? If so, what will be the price range for something like a T shirt? My son is wanting to buy a pair of boots, too, as they are said to be slightly cheaper in US..any sprot shops you could recommend? Sorry for all these questions but I'm in the dark here..hehe, another reason why I'd have loved the home-stay option! :-D

soccer corner and soccer city are good stores for soccer boots. Cavenders for cowboy boots

Thank you for the info, Randy :-) Are these shops close to the venue? Team have two vans to drive around but this is the first time for all of them. Just read in another Topic in regards to home-stay. Is it true that hosts (winning teams) are "required" to host regardless and with no cost reimbursement? As much as I love the idea of my son be hosted for many healthy reasons, I think it's unfair if this was to be made compulsory for all. From visitors' prospective, we'd want the hosts to want to host our boys and we'd be more than happy to pay own son's keep because the experience gained from home-stay would be priceless. And let's face it, adolescent boys do graze like there's no tomorrow!

Kicking kiwi wrote:Thank you for the info, Randy :-) Are these shops close to the venue? Team have two vans to drive around but this is the first time for all of them. Just read in another Topic in regards to home-stay. Is it true that hosts (winning teams) are "required" to host regardless and with no cost reimbursement? As much as I love the idea of my son be hosted for many healthy reasons, I think it's unfair if this was to be made compulsory for all. From visitors' prospective, we'd want the hosts to want to host our boys and we'd be more than happy to pay own son's keep because the experience  gained from home-stay would be priceless. And let's face it, adolescent boys do graze like there's no tomorrow!

the boys are definitely wanted by the host families. there are many other teams that would take the place of a local team that did not want to host.is your sons team WAITAKERE CITY F.C.?

Kicking kiwi wrote:Thank you for the info, Randy :-) Are these shops close to the venue? Team have two vans to drive around but this is the first time for all of them. Just read in another Topic in regards to home-stay. Is it true that hosts (winning teams) are "required" to host regardless and with no cost reimbursement? As much as I love the idea of my son be hosted for many healthy reasons, I think it's unfair if this was to be made compulsory for all. From visitors' prospective, we'd want the hosts to want to host our boys and we'd be more than happy to pay own son's keep because the experience  gained from home-stay would be priceless. And let's face it, adolescent boys do graze like there's no tomorrow!

email team1@thesoccercorner.com and ask where they will be set up for Dallas Cup. your son should be able to purchase from the fields at a remote location.

Ahh, that sounds more comforting if my boy were to be hosted, again..shame he isn't :-( Yes, Waitakere :-) If you're going to be there and if nearby our team, please show them what Texas boots can do! ;-) Actually, he's on one of the pin-up photos n instagram.

Thank you Randy, I shall email them right now!

soccerdadrandy wrote:

Kicking kiwi wrote:Just read in another Topic in regards to home-stay. Is it true that hosts (winning teams) are "required" to host regardless and with no cost reimbursement? As much as I love the idea of my son be hosted for many healthy reasons, I think it's unfair if this was to be made compulsory for all. From visitors' prospective, we'd want the hosts to want to host our boys and we'd be more than happy to pay own son's keep because the experience gained from home-stay would be priceless. And let's face it, adolescent boys do graze like there's no tomorrow!

the boys are definitely wanted by the host families. there are many other teams that would take the place of a local team that did not want to host.

yes, the homestay program is mandatory for local teams even if they qualified for the DC by winning a tournament or the local league. If a team can't host, their spot will be given to another team. Local teams have to pay the registration fee, too! Also, all FC Dallas teams have to volunteer for the event, six hours for each player. Let's say it's mandatory volunteering and don't even start the discussion if it's fair or not to the local families!

Hi Laroja, I can understand your frustration. Every family's circumstances are different and shouldn't be used as a measure to test their loyalty or commitment, let alone ability to the sport or club or to regional body. This only highlights the fact that we all share this world of imperfection. Anyhow, our team is playing a friendly in Austin somewhere right now, 6pm kick-off, wish I was there!! Told him to take some cash next week to buy some DC shirts on the field. Here's a question if you don't mind. If had to choose only one, what should he buy that truly represents Dallas, bear in mind luggage limits etc.. He can't bring home most food items unless commercially packaged like chocolate, no seeds or nuts. Thank you for your help in advance. 4 more days to go!!

Kicking kiwi wrote:Told him to take some cash next week to buy some DC shirts on the field. Here's a question if you don't mind. If had to choose only one, what should he buy that truly represents Dallas, bear in mind luggage limits etc.. He can't bring home most food items unless commercially packaged like chocolate, no seeds or nuts. Thank you for your help in advance. 4 more days to go!!

I don't see which kind of food you would want to buy in Texas to bring home!
Regarding shirts, I would think a t-shirt of the Dallas Mavericks, the NBA team. Some may like a Cowboy shirt (football). Or even an FC Dallas shirt, the MLS team. Or you may like college stuff, with shirts from the several Universities and colleges in the area. Any sport store will have most of them.

Hiya, sorry, I only mentioned food as an example. Just want him to buy something that is truly Dallas.. :-)

Kicking kiwi wrote:Hiya, sorry, I only mentioned food as an example. Just want him to buy something that is truly Dallas.. :-)

HOOTERS!!

soccerdadrandy wrote:

Kicking kiwi wrote:Hiya, sorry, I only mentioned food as an example. Just want him to buy something that is truly Dallas.. :-)

HOOTERS!!

He's not talking about the restaurant . A blonde with fresh nails . big hair and a big pair . That about sums Dallas up!

LOL Actually team went to Hooters on their first day for meal. (Perhaps their manager's choice??) A nice photo of him with a gorgeous girl there on his FB, I can tell he's already loving his time in Dallas!!

Kicking kiwi wrote:LOL Actually team went to Hooters on their first day for meal. (Perhaps their manager's choice??) A nice photo of him with a gorgeous girl there on his FB, I can tell he's already loving his time in Dallas!!

so, they went to Hooters on their first day? this is funny! I doubt our team manager would choose Hooters for one of the meals when the team travels.

Well thats because they know one of the boys would tell his psyco mom about it and she would flip out.

maybe NZ moms are more open minded than US moms!

Waking up to this, 7:30am, I'm not sure whether to laugh or flip out.. What you don't know won't hurt may apply here..? :O Ignorance could be a blessing, hehe! We have no Hooters here but how about Fish & Chips followed by an ice-cream on the beach sound? ;-D Team is in Austin since yesterday, have two more friendlies before back to Dallas for the Cup. Can't wait, been searching on Youtube for news coverage or something but so far unsuccessful.. I envy you people who are going to be there!!

Just laugh! You are too far away.
And you know what, after reading about the 16 German students (10th graders) who lost their lives in the aircraft crash on the French Alps, you should be happy that your son going to Hooters is what may have you flip out ...
BTW, "Fish & Chips followed by an ice-cream on the beach" sounds awesome!!!

Went to Auckland 13 years ago for 1 1/2 days on business.
Beautiful weather and friendly people.
Bought an "All Black" rugby jersey.
I wish I had stayed the weekend.