GROUP STAGE 3: Stoners and Battle Advance for BSL

PENNSYLVANIA 5 
TORONTO      3 

The Stoners got 3 assist from Fabian Espindola to lead the club to advance the club to its first Majors Cup semi-finals. The loss did not hurt Toronto too bad. Thanks to the result in the other group A match, Toronto also will be advancing to the semi's for the first time. BOXSCORE: Stoners- Kamara(A), Gspurning(CS), Espindola(A A A), Bruin(Y). Reds- Johnson(G), Lambe(A), Hall(SP), Maund(Y). 

GATEWAY UNITED 5 
HOUSTON        5 

Kenny Cooper had 2 goals and a assist for the Saints, but the Dynamo's stoppage time score ruined the party as both clubs settled for a tie and were both eliminated from Majors Cup action. BOXSCORE: Saints- Cooper(G G A), Nielson(CS), Jackson(A Y), Donovan(Y). Dynamo- Clark(G), Garcia(G), Davis(A), Ching(A), Hall(CS), Boswell(Y), Bruin(Y). 

ALAMO CITY  7 
LA GALAXY   1 

The Battle easily defeated the high powered Galaxy to take first place in group B. The reward is the club gets to play Toronto in the semi's instead of Pennsylvania. The Galaxy advanced last week and were only playing for position. BOXSCORE: Battle- Henry(G A A A), Perez(G G), Gruenebaum(A Y). Galaxy- Sarvas(G), Magee(Y), Donovan(Y). 

CAPITAL DISTRICT 3 
SEATTLE          1 

Last years Majors Cup Finalist were both eliminated this time around, but the Gunners once again claimed victory over Seattle. The score could have been alot worse. The Gunners left 4 points on the bench. BOXSCORE: Gunners- Mirosevic(G), Garcia(G), Morales(A). Sounders- Gspurning(CS), Parke(Y).

MATCH PREVIEW: Majors Cup Game 3

GROUP A
SAINTS vs DYNAMO
Both clubs are 0-1-1 in group stage, but the winner could be advancing since the current group leaders play each other in the other match-up.
STONERS vs REDS
Who would have guessed that Toronto would be the team to beat. The Stoners will have their hands full.

GROUP B
GUNNERS vs SOUNDERS
The Sounders still have a slim chance of advancing, but will need Alamo City to lose as well in the other group B match. The Gunners are playing for pride.
BATTLE vs GALAXY
The Galaxy have already advanced, while Alamo City needs to win to stay ahead of Seattle.

GROUP STAGE 2: Stoners Give Hope to the BSL

PENNSYLVANIA    6 
GATEWAY UNITED  5 

Two of the BSL's best went head to head trying to take control of group A in the Majors Cup. Both clubs went back and forth all game long. The game winner finally came when Will Bruin scored an assist on Sunday. BOXSCORE: Stoners- Espindola(G), MacDonald(A), Bruin(A), Keane(G G), Kamara(G). Saints- Neilsen(CST), Rolfe(G G), Donovan(A A), Carr(Y). 

TORONTO   4
HOUSTON   3

The Reds pulled the upset taking down the Dynamo and is in position to advance out of the group stage for the first time. BOXSCORE: Reds- Silva(G A), Avila(A), Dunfield(G), Johnson(Y), O'Dea(Y), Morgan(Y). Dynamo- Garcia(G), Bruin(A), Sarkodic(A), Davis(Y), Hall(Y), Carr(Y), Farfan(Y). 

LA GALAXY         8 
CAPITAL DISTRICT  6 

The Galaxy offense once again proved to be too much, as the MLS champs poored on 8 points to defeat the Gunners and clinch a spot in the Majors Cup Semi-Finals regardless of what happens next week. The Gunners fought hard and did score an impressive 6 points, but are now 0-2-0 in group B. BOXSCORE: Galaxy- Juninho(G G), Franklin(A), Keane(G G), Donovan(A A), Magee(A). Gunners- Dawkins(G), Santos(A), Morales(G A), Garcia(G), Hamid(CST). 

SEATTLE     2 
ALAMO CITY  2

Even though Seattle only managed to score 2 points again, this time will was enough to capture the tie. Alamo City suited up several players that were not expected to play. Henry was absent. Boyd is injured. Hassli and Johnson were not present either. The result puts Alamo City at 1-0-1 in group play. BOXSCORE: Sounders- Zakuani(G), Ochoa(A), Tiffert(Y), Alonso(Y). Battle- Boskovic(G), Gruenebaum(SP).

MATCH PREVIEW: Majors Cup Game 2

GROUP A
SAINTS vs STONERS
Every club in this group tied last week with the same 3-3 score, meaning the next 2 games will make all the difference. These two BSL clubs will go head to head and the winner will have a serious edge afterwards.
DYNAMO vs REDS
Both of these MLS clubs will be playing road games this week. Toronto will be at the HDC and will the definite underdogs. Houston will be on the road in PPL Park, so this might be a tight match. Houston also will be tired playing on short rest with a mid week CCL game.





GROUP B
BATTLE vs SOUNDERS
Alamo City played its best game in weeks in the opener of this tournament. Seattle got blown away by the Galaxy in its opener and will need to win to stay in contention. The Sounders will be at Century Link on the weekend.
GUNNERS vs GALAXY
The defending Majors Cup champions are in a must-win situation coming into this match against a Galaxy club that sits a top Group B. Besides LA playing their best football at the moment in 2012, the club will also be on its home pitch.

GROUP STAGE 1: Alamo City Only BSL Club to Win

TORONTO         3 
GATEWAY UNITED  3 

Toronto FC is never easy in Majors Cup action. Despite the teams struggles, the club puts up a fierce fight in this tournament. This time the Reds had the Saints trailing the entire match. If not for 2 yellow cards allowing Gateway United to use a sub off the bench, Toronto could have won. BOXSCORE: Reds- Hassli(G Y), Silva(A), O'Dea(A), Hall(Y). Saints- Donovan(A), Rolfe(A), Camara(A). 

PENNSYLVANIA  3 
HOUSTON       3 

The Stoners got a late equalizer from McDonald to earn a crucial point in this group stage match. Trailing 3-1, the club got a rare keeper assist from Gspurning as well. Tally Hall had 7 saves for Houston. BOXSCORE: Stoners- Keane(G), Gspurning(A), McDonald(A), Farfan(Y). Dynamo- Davis(G), Garcia(A), Hall(SP), Camargo(Y). 

ALAMO CITY       5 
CAPITAL DISTRICT 3 

Even with a lineup failure from the club operator, Alamo City ended its losing streak with a wonderful performance from Thierry Henry who had 2 goals and a assist. The scoring opened with the Gunners getting a score from Garcia, and later the Gunners extended the lead to 2-0 when Montero scored. Gruenebaum's 5 saves began the comeback for the Battle and Boskovic added into the scoreline as well. BOXSCORE: Battle- Hassli(Y G -1LF), Grenebaum(SP), Henry(G G A), Boskovic(A), Johnson(Y). Gunners- Garcia(A), Montero(G), Mirosevic(G), Martinez(Y), Santos(Y). 

LA GALAXY   6 
SEATTLE     2 

The best performance for game 1 goes to Los Angeles who made easy work of the Sounders. The newcomer, Wilhelsson, got his first goal for the Galaxy. BOXSCORE: Galaxy- Keane(G), Wilhemsson(G), Donovan(A), Sarvas(A A), Saunders(CS), DelaGarza(Y). Sounders- Montero(G), Gspurning(A), Johnson(Y), Martinez(Y). 

MATCH PREVIEW: Majors Cup Game 1

GROUP A

SAINTS vs REDS

This will be Gateway United's first match since losing 7-0 in the playoff semi-finals. The Honors Trophy Champions are expecting Landon Donovan to be ready for this match. Toronto FC will be playing at BMO Field on short rest. The Reds score more at home and could pose a real challenge despite their league record.

STONERS vs DYNAMO

The Stoners might benefit the most from the schedule as the Dynamo will be on the road in KC. Livestrong Sporting Park has not been kind to road teams in 2012 for wins or goals. So Houston will have its work cut out for them.

GROUP B

BATTLE vs GUNNERS

The two BSL rivals meet again. The Gunners are the reason Alamo City is not the Honors Trophy Champs this year. But, even before that result, the Gunners have been tormenting Alamo City. Capital District is riding a 7 game winning streak from league play, and won 2 more unofficial friendlies since then. Alamo City has lost 3 matches in a row, the last 2 regular season matches, and a playoff semi-final.

SOUNDERS vs GALAXY

The Sounders are almost unbeatenable in Majors Cup group stage games, but will have a tough opener against the MLS' prolific scoring offense, the LA Galaxy. Both clubs are playing very well and are both serious contenders to win this years Majors Cup. 

2012 BSL Cup Champions

Congratulations to the owner/operator of Rose City FC. In the clubs inaugural season, the Flyers have won the BSL Cup. In retrospect it was a dream season for the new club. After an aggressive preseason, the club debuted with a line-up failure in week 1. After the early mistake, the owner got organized and won 3 straight matches including a win over the 2011 BSL Champions (CD Gunners).  Rose City made the most of its early offense, or lack of it, by winning 4 games between weeks 6 and 11, without scoring more than 2 points. Three of those matches were 2-0 wins, and one was a 1-0 win. While hardly impossing, these wins allowed the club to stay in the top 4 of the standings. Lucky? That's up to the fans to decide. What those early wins did do is give the Flyers time to improve on the clubs offense which it did to close out the year. The stats don't lie. Rose City in 2012 is a great club. Cleverly built and consistent and highlighted by its ability to avoid a losing streak. In the playoffs, the Flyers dominated outscoring its opponents 11-2. Rose City are the first BSL Champions since 2009 to not qualify for the Majors Cup in its championship season.

No Pity As Rose City Wins Championship

2012 BSL CUP CHAMPIONSHIP

ROSE CITY       4

PENNSYLVANIA    2

The 2012 BSL Cup Final began when the local player, Darlington Nagbe, continued his recent good form by getting the games first point with his assist. Then the Flyers mid season transfer signing, Marco DiVaio, came through with a goal to build the lead up to 2-0. Two major forces in the Rose City line-up coming through in the big game. Pennsylvania countered when Robbie Keane, the clubs leader, popped in an assist to cut the lead to 2-1. He could have scored a goal too on a few occassions, but did not find the back of the net. His LA teammate, Josh Saunders delivered a clean sheet for the Flyers, building the lead back up to a 3-1 score for Rose City to conclude Saturday action. On Sunday Mauro Rosales added in a goal for the Flyers, while Pennsylvania got 5 saves from Michael Gspurning. The final score 4-2. Rose City is the 2012 BSL Cup Champions.

BOXSCORE:

FLYERS-

Scoring Summary: Nagbe(A), DiVaio(G), Saunders(CS), Rosales(G)

Card Summary: None

STONERS-

Scoring Summary: Keane(A), Gspurning(SP)

Card Summary: Kamara(Y)