The growth of the Bigtime Soccer League continued into its third season. After two steady years playing with 8 clubs and a 3 team playoff format, the league expanded to become an 11 team league and to accommidate this growth added a 4th playoff spot. 6 of 8 clubs from 2010 returned and the 20 game regular season schedule was extended from 20 weeks to 22 weeks. For the first time the BSL had a balanced schedule with each club playing each other twice. The only new rule added to the league in 2011 was the "Saves Rule" allowing BSL Keepers to earn a point for 5 saves or more on gameday. The regular season was extremely competitive with many of the expansion clubs showing impressive strength. Some new clubs like Second City SC obtained wins fairly quickly, while others like Alliance FC began the season poorly with a 1-5-0 start before finding form to eventually win 10 games on the season. Veteran BSL clubs found an array of fortunes. Clubs like CD Gunners, Gold Coast FC, and Gateway United enjoyed success, while other familiar clubs like Alamo City SC and even the defending BSL Champion, Union SC struggled to keep up. The playoff and Majors Cup race came down to the final week to determine the qualifiers.
PLAYOFFS
Only two clubs, the CD Gunners and Second City SC, clinched both the playoffs and Majors Cup. The other playoff partipants were Gateway United and Gold Coast FC. In the first round of the BSL playoffs the CD Gunners became the first Honors Trophy Champion to win a playoff game defeating Gateway United in the Semi Finals. Meanwhile Gold Coast FC defeated Second City in the other Semi Final match. The BSL Final gave the CD Gunners the league's first "Double" with a 5-1 win over Gold Coast FC.
MAJORS CUP
The 2011 Majors Cup saw new clubs Pennsylvania Stoners and Alliance FC as the other qualifiers. In the Group Stage, the BSL clubs to advance were the CD Gunners and Alliance FC. These two BSL clubs met each other in the Semi Finals where the Gunners prevailed 5-4. The Majors Cup Final pitted the CD Gunners against the Seattle Sounders who for the second year in a row represented the MLS in the Final. The CD Gunners completed a stellar season winning the Majors Cup Final 7-6 in overtime.
MINOR TROPHIES
In the leagues derbies, Gold Coast FC nabbed the California Cup over Union Southern California. The CD Gunners nabbed the BSL Classic over Alamo City. Gateway United took the Barium Cup over Alliance FC. Click on the boxes to see complete season stats, scores, and standings.
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