TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League, one of the most prominent Division II leagues in the world, announced on Tuesday a new agreement with internationally renowned youth competition the Dallas Cup that will see USL Academy teams enter the event in the 2018 season.

USL Academy teams from the Charleston Battery, OKC Energy FC, Orange County SC, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Rio Grande Valley FC, Saint Louis FC and San Antonio FC will all compete at the 2018 Dr Pepper Dallas Cup, with the 39th edition of the tournament set to be held between March 25 and April 1, 2018, in Frisco, Texas.

“We are delighted to establish this relationship with one of the most prestigious Academy events in the world,” said USL VP of Competition and Technical Development Gordon Bengtson. “Providing a platform for the top teams from professional USL academies to go head-to-head against elite competition from around the world is a tremendous step forward. Offering opportunities such as this on an annual basis provides crucial experience and important reference points for young, aspiring players as they compete to reach the professional ranks with their hometown USL clubs in the future.

“As a league, we are always looking for new approaches that will help grow local talent in our teams’ markets. Working alongside the Dallas Cup creates significantly more opportunity for those ideas to come to fruition in the immediate future.”