Toronto FC sends four youth sides to tournaments in Texas

Toronto FC will have four teams in Dallas for a pair of competitions beginning this weekend.

Two sides will be playing in the 2018 Dallas Cup, which kicks off on March 25: Toronto FC III (U-19) in the Gordon Jago Super Group and Toronto FC Academy U-16 (2002) in Bracket G of their age group. Another two will represent the club in the 2018 Generation Adidas Cup, beginning on March 22 — Toronto FC Academy U-17 (2001) in Group A of the Champions Division and Toronto FC Academy U-12 (2006) in a seven-a-side tournament.

The birth year notations are a little imprecise as it is not unusual for players to play up a year or two at TFC.

On the coaching front, Danny Dichio will lead TFC III, Benoit Cheyrou the U-17 side, Gianni Cimini the U-16s, and Jonathon Mondino and Michael Stefano the U-12s. Luciano Lombardi will be the goalkeeper coach for all four sides in Dallas.

TFC III will open against Japanese side Higashi Fukuoka FC on Sunday (March 25 at 2:30 p.m.) before facing Manchester United on Monday (March 26 at 3 p.m.), their final group match against familiar Mexican foes Tigres UANL is scheduled for Wednesday (March 28, time TBD).

Toronto are sending a talented group, drawing age-eligible players from TFC II, including Shaan Hundal, Julian Dunn, Noble Okello, Rocco Romeo, Dante Campbell, Luca Petrasso and Malyk Hamilton, though Greg Vanney alluded that with II set to play the Charlotte Independence on Saturday night, some of that group may be joining up with the rest in Dallas later.

Also in the Dallas Cup, TFC Academy U-16 will open against Kansas-based Southampton Pro Academy on Sunday (March 25 at 12:30 p.m.) and will then face Californian side CZ Elite on Monday (March 26 at 1 p.m.). They close the group stage on Wednesday against Mexican opposition Regios FC (March 28 at 5 p.m.).

In the Generation adidas Cup, TFC Academy U-17 will open their group with a match against Eintract Frankfurt of Germany on Friday (March 23 at 3:30 p.m.) and then face fellow MLS side D.C. United on Sunday (March 25 at 5:45 p.m.), before closing against River Plate of Argentina on Tuesday (March 27 at 7:15 p.m.) – early word is this match will be streamed (further details to follow).

Also at the GA Cup, TFC Academy U-12 will face NYCFC and LAFC on Thursday (March 29 at 10:40 a.m. and 1:20 p.m., respectively) and then square off against the Colorado Rapids and the Portland Timbers on Friday (March 30 at 12 p.m. and 2:40 p.m., respectively).