By Tom Burton
David Beckham and Wayne Rooney have played in it, Liverpool and Real Madrid have won it.
But in just three weeks’ time, Kinetic’s U16s will kick off their quest to bring The Dallas Cup back to the UK.
An 18-strong squad from Croydon will jet off to the USA for the invite-only, international tournament.
And the talented U16s, who remain unbeaten in the league this season, cannot wait to test themselves against some of the best youth teams in the world.
Cameron Willoughby, who plays as a number 10, said: “I think it’s an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“I am very grateful to have the chance to go to Dallas and do what I love the most, which is play football.”
Striker Jack Sims, who will captain the side, is hoping to impress watching scouts.
He said: “I’m expecting to play against teams which will get the ball down and play football just like we do.
“And I’m looking forward to playing against teams from around the world and showing what I’ve got to scouts from American colleges.”
Box-to-box midfielder Tyrese Ogunmekan said: “I think it is a great opportunity and I’m really excited to be going to a different country to compete in the sport I love.”
And left-back Dean Davis said: “It will be a whole new experience for me as I’ve never been to America.
“I can’t wait to get over there and impress. I’m looking forward it and I’m ready to win the cup.”
The Dr Pepper Dallas Cup has taken place in Texas every Easter since 1980.
It sees 180 youth teams from across the globe go head-to-head in different age groups from U13s to U19s.
Real Madrid, Manchester United, Barcelona, and Arsenal have all sent teams to Dallas in the past.
And players who have played there, including Raul, Ross Barkley and Javier Hernandez, have gone on to make more than 400 World Cup appearances.
England captain Rooney played in the 1999 Dallas Cup for Everton and Beckham represented an Essex Schools side in 1990.
This year, reigning U18s Premier League champions Middlesbrough and Fluminense, Brazil’s best academy, will be in Dallas.
The Kinetic boys fly in for the tournament, which runs from March 20 until March 27.
And they fly back via New York, for a clash with state cup champions The Massapequa Aces and another top US club.