GROUP STAGE 1: BSL leads in Group A, MLS leads in Group B

BOXSCORES

FC Dallas 12
Gateway United 6

Leading the way for the opening group stage matches was the game between Gateway United and F.C. Dallas. The Hoops shattered the scoreboard with 12 points in what may stand as the highest scoring Majors Cup game for a long time to come. The entire game posted 18 points which should also be a record for quite a while. Dallas got 6 goals from 5 different players and 5 assist from 4 other starters. They even left a 6th assist on the bench. How good of a night was it for F.C. Dallas, well the team even got an assist from an own-goal. The only positive news for Gateway United is the teams 6 offensive points gives them a great edge if tiebreakers become an issue down the line.

Chicago Fire  3
Garden State  1

The other BSL team in Group B did not fair much better. Garden State could only muster a goal from Chris Rolfe. The problem was the goal was generated by 2 assist from Banner and Pappa that helped Chicago build a 3-1 lead. The Fire did not score again leaving some possibilties for the Kickers to make the game interesting on Sunday. A combined 4 players were active for Garden State on Sunday and all of them came up empty.

D.C. Forever  4
Columbus Crew 2

Moving over to Group A, things looked a whole lot better for the BSL squads as D.C. Forever scored early and often to build a 4-0 lead before the Crew's Sunday game. The Bandits got contributions from 4 seperate players and had to feel good about their lead. However, Columbus possess a potent offense. Franie Hejduk goal early in the game cut the score to 4-1, but with no assists registered with the goal their was still an uphill climb for the Crew. In the 94th minute Columbus scored again on a penalty kick, but the team needed something with more player involvement. The game ended with D.C. Forever taking it 4-2.

Capital District  3
L.A. Galaxy       2

The most competive game of the week came between the Galaxy and the Gunners. Capital District was able to find the back of the net again and took an early 2-0 lead with a goal from Montero and an assist from Guevara. Then on Saturday night Los Angeles came back with a ton of drama. First, Delagarza scored an early goal, then it was taken away as an own goal, and then Delagarza scored again. Instead of a 2-2 tie, the Gunners still held a 2-1 lead at the Galaxy's halftime. Then Los Angeles scored again on a corner kick from David Beckham to Edson Buddle. The assist finally tied it up 2-2 for the Galaxy, but Buddle was a late substitute and could not give his team the lead. Then on Sunday afternoon Capital District got a 9th minute goal from Santos to give the Gunners the 3-2 win and 3 points in the standings.

Game two next weekend will be key for the teams at the bottom to get some wins with only the top 2 in each group moving on to the Semi-Finals.