Up-and-Coming Soccer Player Looking for Sponsorship to Attend 2025 Dallas Cup
Cape Town – A talented young footballer from Cape Town is eager to advance his football career, which leads him to Dallas in the United States.
At just 14 years old, Lincoln van Zilla has been chosen to represent Table View FC at the 2025 Dallas Cup, a highly esteemed youth soccer tournament recognized worldwide.
In 2024, Lincoln captained his Hellenic U14 Academy team to victory in the Tygerberg Local Football Association (LFA) league championship.
As he prepares to transition to U16 in 2025, Lincoln is set to take part in the Dallas Cup.
In 2025, Table View FC is set to make its fourth appearance at the Dallas Cup, sending teams to compete in the U15 and U17 categories.
Participating teams for 2025 include renowned clubs like Newcastle United from the UK, Real Madrid from Spain, Botafogo and Sao Paulo from Brazil, and Eintracht Frankfurt from Germany, among others.
In previous tournaments, premier teams such as Manchester United, Liverpool, Fulham, and Arsenal from England, Tigres from Mexico, and Boca Juniors from Argentina have participated in the Dallas Cup.
These, along with elite academy teams from the US, contribute to making the tournament one of the most competitive in the world.
Craig Barrows, an organizer from Table View who is attending his fifth Dallas Cup, stated: “Our teams will be competing against some of the best academies globally. This includes the top teams in the US, and the standard of competition is incredibly high.”
Due to the intense competition, Table View has decided to scout and invite players from nearby regions to represent the club at the Dallas Cup.
“The level of competition is so elevated that we realized we needed to broaden our talent pool to remain competitive,” Barrows mentioned.
For the 2025 tournament, the club will feature players from Table View, Hellenic FC, Cape Town Spurs, and other local football clubs.
For Lincoln, participating in the Dallas Cup is a significant milestone in his football journey.
“I have played with various clubs and academies, and each experience has contributed to my understanding of the game and my development as a player,” he shared.
“The Dallas Cup presents an incredible opportunity for me and my teammates, and we are all excited about it. However, we have a lot of hard work, training, and preparation ahead to maximize our chances of success on an international stage.”
Playing as a No8 midfielder, Lincoln can operate as a double pivot or as a box-to-box midfielder depending on the match context. He looks up to Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne and Rodri as role models.
Lincoln finds the US collegiate system appealing as a potential goal because playing soccer on a scholarship while achieving an academic degree would provide a valuable foundation for his future.
When asked about the possibility of facing some of the top young talents globally, Lincoln expressed: “We have immense talent and potential in South Africa, and I have been fortunate to learn from excellent coaches.
“Now we have the chance to train together, prepare, and showcase our capabilities on an international platform.”
“I’m genuinely looking forward to the rigorous training and preparation in the upcoming months as we gear up for the Dallas Cup.”
According to Barrows, the Dallas Cup stands out from most other youth tournaments worldwide because it is invite-only.
Thus far, only two teams from South Africa have received invitations, and Barrows emphasized Table View’s determination to build upon the groundwork laid.
The tournament is limited to 32 teams per age group, with a straightforward format – only the first-placed teams in each group progress to the next round.
In 2024, two Table View teams, the U13 and U18 sides, successfully advanced past the group stages for the first time. “This was a substantial accomplishment for us as a club and as a representative of South Africa, and we aim to build on this success with the 2025 teams,” said Barrows.
The estimated cost for the two-week trip is R64,000, covering flights, accommodation, meals, transport, and training and match kits. This does not account for other trip-related expenses, including obtaining a US visa.
Lincoln’s father, Lindiz van Zilla, mentioned that the tournament represents a major financial commitment, and their family would appreciate any support to help realize this dream.
He has initiated a Back-a-Buddy campaign where all contributions will go directly to Table View FC in support of Lincoln’s journey to Dallas.
“We kindly ask businesses and individuals to consider supporting us in any way. Every contribution, regardless of size, brings us closer to making this dream a reality.”
Support Lincoln van Zilla: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/lincoln-van-zilla-dallas-cup-2025
For more information, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/tableviewfootballclub