Cotton Bowl Stadium Matches and Whataparade of Teams Highlight Day One of the 2025 Dallas Cup presented by Coca-Cola

Total attendance of 23,134 breaks single-day Dallas Cup attendance record

DALLAS, Texas (Sunday, Apr. 13) – The 2025 Dallas Cup presented by Coca-Cola is officially underway, as 450 participating boys and girls teams took the pitch Sunday throughout the Greater Dallas area. On a warm and windy spring day in North Texas, the tournament’s Opening Day festivities at the historic Cotton Bowl Stadium were headlined by a triple-header of international matches and the “Whataparade of Teams” and Opening Ceremonies.

6:30PM – Gordon Jago Super Group – Real Madrid vs. CF Monterrey In front of a single-day attendance record of 23,134 at the Cotton Bowl Stadium, Spain’s Real Madrid CF squared off against Liga MX side CF Monterrey to wrap up the action on Opening Day at the 2025 Dallas Cup presented by Coca-Cola. The highly anticipated clash between the Spanish and Mexican giants was a physical, hard-fought affair. The first half was marked by scrappy midfield battles and tightly contested duels, with neither side able to break through and put their name on the scoresheet. With solid defensive play and few clear chances, the match went into halftime locked at 0-0.

Early in the second half, Real Madrid went down a man as Luis Paulo was sent off after being issued his second yellow card of the match. Despite the man-disadvantage, the Spanish side remained compact, fending off several promising attacks from Rayados. Both teams pushed for a late winner, but the final whistle confirmed a scoreless draw, with each side earning a point in the Gordon Jago Super Group standings.

3:00PM - Gordon Jago Super Group – São Paulo FC vs. Newcastle United Earlier in the day, the defending Gordon Jago Super Group champions São Paulo FC of Brazil squared off against Premier League side Newcastle United. São Paulo wasted no time making a statement. In just the 2nd minute, Felix Felisberto — who scored the winning goal in last year’s final — capitalized on a defensive miscue and calmly finished into the far post. The Brazilians doubled their lead in the 15th minute when Otavio Garcia tucked away a pass in the middle of the box. In the 39th minute, Luis Osario De Oliveira headed home a third goal after an initial attempt rattled off the cross-bar. In the second half, São Paulo FC continued to apply pressure. Just four minutes into the second half, Felipe Silva buried a stunning long-range free kick from 35 yards out to make it 4-0. Perivan Dos Santos capped off the commanding performance in the 61st minute with a well-placed strike from the edge of the 18-yard box. São Paulo's 5-0 win marked an emphatic start to their title defense.

12:30PM – U19 Girls – Australian School Girls vs. FC Dallas Girls ECNL G07 The day kicked off with a competitive U19 girls match between the Australian School Girls — back for their third consecutive year and defending champions — and FC Dallas ECNL G07, who entered the tournament having won three straight Dallas Cup titles at the U15, U16, and U17 levels. In the 20th minute, Australia struck first, as Ruby Jones headed home a cross from Sophie Meaden to take the lead. In the second half, FC Dallas found the equalizer in the 69th minute thanks to Natalie Wagner, who recovered a loose ball near the top of the box and delivered a right-footed strike into the left corner of the net. The entertaining match ended in a 1-1 draw, with both teams earning a point in Bracket A.

5:00PM – Whataparade of Teams & Opening Ceremonies At 5:00pm, the “Whataparade of Teams” and Opening Ceremonies brought together over 10,000 athletes at Cotton Bowl Stadium. With 21 participating nations represented, the international spirit of the tournament was on full display. Monica Paul, Executive Director of the Dallas Sports Commission, provided the ceremonial first kick to help usher in the week-long celebration of global youth soccer. With additional referees representing countries around the world, more than 30 nations are present at the 2025 edition, once again making Dallas Cup one of Dallas’ most internationally diverse annual events.

Additional games were played throughout the day at MoneyGram Soccer Park, Dallas College at Richland Soccer Complex, Toyota Soccer Center and Ross Stewart Soccer Complex. The 2025 Dallas Cup presented by Coca-Cola will run through April 20, featuring boys and girls competing in under 10 through under 19 age divisions. The finals of all age groups will conclude Friday through Sunday in Frisco, TX at Toyota Soccer Center and Toyota Stadium.

Fans and teams alike can learn more about the tournament by visiting www.DallasCup.org or following us on social media @dallascup.