GAME 1: Missed opportunities highlight the first weeks matches

BOXSCORES

First kick 2010 is in the books and were there some surprises to start the season. We will start with the game of the week featuring Montgomery County vs Union S.C. The scoring got off to an early beginning thanks to a Keller clean sheet for the Monarchs and a Zakuani assist for the Blues on Thursday night. Union S.C. could have taken the lead, but Evans goal laid wasted on the bench. On Friday the champs took a 2-1 lead when Omar Cummings struck a magnificant wrap around shot from around 15 yards out. Then on Saturday afternoon Schelotto took over with a goal and assist to build the champs a 4-1 lead. Union S.C. fought back with 2 scores, but never did get the desired yellow cards from the Monarchs to use its substitutes and thus Evans wasted goal cost the Blues a point in the standings. Montgomery County won 4-3.

So how did the 2009 Honor Trophy winners fair on opening day? In the beginning things looked very good for the Gunners when they took a 2-0 lead on Thursday courtesy of Freddy Montero. However, Collin Clarks assist was useless as a substitute, while the rest of the starting line-up forgot to show up. This left the door open for St.Louis. The Cure began its comeback on Friday with a clean sheet from Pickens. Then the club began its onslaught on Saturday when its Salt Lake connection pounded 3 goals to give the Cure the lead. Edson Buddle added another late score at night and when the smoke cleared it was St.louis that ended up with an impressive victory at 5-2. The Cure's 5 points also ended up being the league high for the week.

Two newcomers going head to head to start the season ended up in a dogfight. New York opened the scoring with an Atiba Harris goal, but also was racking up the yellow cards. The Greeks had a total of 3 yellows for game one leading the league. Burud Town found its form when Roger Smith scored both a goal and a assist to give the Stags their first lead. Hesmer's clean sheet added another score, but Kamara's goal and Auvray's assist each would not count with them in the 2nd and 3rd sub spots. Even with all the yellow cards the Greeks were picking up, a 4th one would be needed for another score to count. With the score 3-1 instead of 4-1 or 5-1, The Greeks goal from Lindpere and Clean Sheet from Rimando tied the score up 3-3. New York avoided any more cards and walked away with a tie to the game.

Finally we come to the match between the Suns and the Saints. Gold Coast came into the game wanting the keep the score close and that is exactly what happened. The club scored first on Thursday with Alonso's assist. Then amazingly the scored held up through most of the weekend against what many believe to be a strong Gateway United side. Jack Jewsbury's goal doubled the lead 2-0, while the Saints continued to have no response. Finally Landon Donovan's assist gave the Saints some offense in the 5th minute of the last game of the weekend. Near the end of the night Donovan had a breakway that looked like a for sure equalizer, but he opted to pass instead of shoot and the play never materialized. Gold Coast managed to hold on and defeat Gateway United 2-1.