Everything, as they say, is bigger in Texas, and now that includes the size of the AKFC traveling party. In all five squads will be making the trip from Alaska to the second-largest state, each taking part in the Dallas Texans Fall Festival over the weekend of November 18-20.
Midfielder Drini Redzepi puts in a tackle during semifinal action at the Las Vegas Mayor's Cup.
Matches will take place at the Texans’ Ross Stewart Soccer Complex, with our teams playing some of the best from throughout Texas and the Southwest.
On the boys’ side, the well-traveled AKFC 98 United squad will compete in the U14 division, which is already filling up with top competition, including the 2010 Dallas Cup finalists, Houstonians FC 98 Red, as well as the state champions from both Kansas and Oklahoma. Also traveling to Dallas–for the first time as an AKFC squad–are the 96 United boys. Led by club captain Ben Atkinson and a potent attack, the U16 team promises to turn plenty of heads in Dallas. Rounding out the group, and returning to action in AKFC colors after a great experience in Arizona last spring, the 00 United boys bring together one of the most diverse squads in Alaska, including players from Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley, Kenai and Fairbanks.
Leading the AKFC girls’ contingent is 96 Aurora, a team comprised of high-school sophomores who are already well into the college recruitment process. The Dallas tournament is yet another step in their development cycle, as the team also prepares for college-showcase participation in February.
Last but certainly not least, the AKFC 01 Aurora girls will again be taking the field in our navy-and-white strip. After an extremely impressive start in Las Vegas last fall, and absolute domination in the 2011 Nike Crossfire Challenge this past July, the team is hoping to build on their success and continue to develop at an accelerated rate. This team currently features the largest player pool within AKFC and remains one of the most exciting age groups within the program.
For more information, or to follow the teams in Texas, click here.
