Not the Usual Clubs Qualifying

The BSL offseason is in full effect, but its never too early to look ahead towards next seasons Majors Cup. With the New York Red Bulls winning the 2013 Supporters Shield, the club has just punched its ticket into the 2014 Majors Cup for the first time since 2010. This will be the Red Bulls 2nd appearance in the tournament. The Bulls went 0-3-0 in group stage in its previous attempt in the tournament. 

This makes 3 of the 4 MLS spots accounted for with D.C. United earlier in the year entering the clubs first ever Majors Cup after winning the 2013 US Open Cup and the Montreal Impact also entering its first ever Majors Cup after winning the 2013 Canadian Cup. The 2014 MLS entries look be a changing of the guard as many of the usual MLS clubs that have participated in the tournament will not be playing this time around. All that remains for available MLS spots is the next MLS Cup Champion to be determined in a few weeks. 

2013 Year in Review

The Bigtime Soccer League saw the return of 11 clubs, with the KC Quest the loan exception. The Orange County Zodiac would be the new entry into the fold and would sign Chris Pontius as the clubs first ever player in the expansion draft. The offseason began with a record high of 8 trades before the first round of the draft. The majority of the trades involved draft pick swaps as deep as the fourth round. A total of 24 players were signed during the offseason, but only one club, Rose City, had more than 2 Designated players by the deadline. 

Both of last years BSL Cup finalist (Rose City and Pennsylvania) struggled from the get go and failed to repeat the 2012 successes. Overall the league table was very competitive with several clubs fighting for the four playoff spots all the way to the final week of the season. 

The exception was Alamo City, who would end up clinching a playoff spot by week 17 and winning the Honors Trophy by week 19. The Battle’s record setting 16 wins and 52 points on the season made for many headlines during the year breaking the record of 47 points and 15 wins set by Capital District back in 2009. A key component to the clubs success was the infusion of some very productive young talent like Diego Fagundez. Alamo City would end up with

the league’s #1 offense by the seasons end also winning the Majors Cup Championship to go along with its Honors Trophy in 2013. It was the clubs 2nd straight Majors Cup title. 

The BSL Cup Championship went to Burud Town, who led the league in ties for the year with 7. The club also benefited from a strong youth movement including the free agent signing of DeShorn Brown who produced all season long. The title was Burud Town’s first league championship in its history. 

Other noteable storylines in the season was the strong 2nd half’s for the CD Gunners and Union SC. Both clubs found their form after slow starts to earn Majors Cup positions. Only Alamo City and Spartans 1612 were able to clinch both playoff and Majors Cup spots in 2013. Orange County advanced all the way as the BSL Cup Final as runner-up in its inaugural season. 
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