2017 BSL Cup Preview

Gateway United is one match away from making BSL history to become the first club to win 2 BSL Cups. The Saints can also become the first club to win the BSL Cup back to back. Standing in the way is Gold Coast FC looking to put its first star above its crest to go along with its previous Honors Trophy and Majors Cup titles. These two clubs met 3 times in 2017 already. Both clubs tied 4-4 back in the first Majors Cup qualifier this season. Then in week 8 the Suns blew away the Saints by an 8-1 score. Finally in week 11 the Saints won in a high scoring 8-7 match. Historically, this rivalry tells a lopsided story, with the Saints leading all-time with a 13-3-3 record and outscoring the Suns 70-53 in these 19 meetings. The Final is set and begins September 6th.

2017 Playoffs: Semi-Finals Recap

Gold Coast FC won its 2nd playoff match this week upsetting the Honors Trophy Champion - Capital District to advance to the clubs 2nd BSL Cup Final in club history. A combined six players contributed to the scoresheet and a 7th score was waiting on the bench in case of a potential overtime.   For the Gunners, the loss was only the clubs 3rd in all competitions all season. Now the Gunners will have to regroup for the Majors Cup tournament and look to get a "double" that way.
In the other Semi-Final match, Gateway United held off a feisty Alamo City side 4-3 to advance to the clubs 2nd straight BSL Cup Final. Luis Silva was the man of the match with 2 goals. Can the Saints repeat as Champs? For Alamo City the club still has Majors Cup to earn some hardware this season, where the club is ranked #1 after going 4-0-0 in the qualifiers.

Playoff Semi-Finals Preview

The top four BSL clubs with the most trophies will compete in this years Semi-Finals. In the first match, 2017 Honors Trophy Champion - Capital District will compete against Gold Coast F.C. These two clubs have history against each other with the Gunners defeating the Suns in the 2011 BSL Cup Final. More recently, These clubs have played each other 3 times in 2017. Capital District won 6-3 in week 1 this season and both clubs tied 4-4 in week 10. Capital District won 5-4 in an MCQ week 4 match. The other match-up in this years Semi-Finals is between defending BSL Champs - Gateway United, who will look to be the first BSL club to repeat versus Alamo City. The two clubs also have history against one other. These clubs met in the 2009 Semi-Finals with Alamo City prevailing and then eventually winning the Cup. This is the Saints 6th time reaching the Semi-Finals and the Battle's 5th time. Gateway United has a record of 3-4 all-time in the playoffs. Alamo City has a record of 2-3 all-time in the playoffs. This year, Gateway United defeated Alamo City 7-3 in week 3, and then in week 14 Alamo City won 12-8. 

2017 Playoffs: Wildcard Recap

The mid-week Wildcard match-up between Hawaii and the Gold Coast was a low scoring nail bitter. Sebastian Giovinco got the scoring started with an impressive set piece goal to give the Islanders the 1-0 lead, but minutes later Jozy Altidore would equalize for the Suns. Then, in the nightcap Nicolas Loderio would be the hero with a PK goal that would prove to be the game winner and advance Gold Coast FC into the Semi-Finals for the third time in club history (2011 and 2015 previous). The turnaround will be short for the Suns as the Semi-Finals begin tomorrow versus Capital District.

Wildcard Round Preview

Gold Coast FC is 1-2 all-time in the playoffs, with the club advancing furthest in 2011 to the BSL Cup Final. Insulani Hawaii is 0-0 all-time in the playoffs. In 3 meetings Hawaii won 5-4 in week 5, 4-3 in the week 3 MC Qualifier, and 11-2 in week 15 to sweep the season series.

Alamo City Secures 3rd Place and the Bye

Alamo City picked a good week to be the league's top scorer defeating Cumberland 7-3, while both Hawaii and Gold Coast suffered defeats in their matches. The results to these three matches means Alamo City has secured third place in the league table and will have a bye from the Wildcard Round. Meanwhile Capital District got a late brace from David Villa to win the clubs 13th match on the season.

Islanders and Suns Clinch Playoffs!

The five clubs that will complete in this years BSL Playoffs have been determined. Who will be forced to play in the Wildcard Round is still to be determined, and next weeks final fixture will answer that question. Hawaii has clinched the clubs 1st playoffs, while Gold Coast has clinched the clubs 3rd appearance in the playoffs.

Bidding War: Krisztian Nemeth

Clubs involved (3):
Alamo City, Gateway United, Union SC.
Bidding will conclude on Friday 8/12 at 6pm (PT).

Bidding War: Carlos Vela

Clubs involved (4)

Gateway United, Alamo City, Union SC, Gold Coast.  

Bidding will conclude on Friday 8/11 at 5pm (PT).

Bidding War: Yoshimar Yotun

Clubs involved (2)

 Gateway United, Cumberland AC. 

Bidding will conclude on Friday 8/11 at 5pm (PT).

Bidding War: Paul Arriola

Clubs involved (2)

Alamo City, Gold Coast.

Bidding will conclude on Friday 8/11 at 5pm (PT).

Gunners / Mounties Advance to Majors Cup!

There is going to be a new Majors Cup champion in 2017 as Gateway United was eliminated from contention very late this weekend. Even though the Saints took care of business and came from behind to defeat Cumberland 4-3, the Mounties held on for a draw 4-4 against Hawaii to preserve 4th place in the MCQ table. For a while it appeared as if Tim Melia would have a clean sheet to win it for Hawaii and thus allow the Saints to advance, but a late goal sealed the result and push SC Canada into the tournament for a third straight year. Meanwhile, Capital District got a hat trick from David Villa to give the Gunners a late victory and clinched the clubs record best 8th trip to the tournament. The round robin beings 9/13.

Game 1: 9/13 - 9/17

FC DALLAS vs CAPITAL DISTRICT

SEATTLE SOUNDERS vs INSULANI HAWAII
TORONTO FC vs SC CANADA

NY RED BULLS vs ALAMO CITY

Game 2: 9/20 - 9/24
INSULANI HAWAII vs CAPITAL DISTRICT
SEATTLE SOUNDERS vs FC DALLAS
SC CANADA vs ALAMO CITY
NY RED BULLS vs TORONTO FC
Game 3: 9/27 - 10/1
ALAMO CITY vs TORONTO FC
SC CANADA vs NY RED BULLS
INSULANI HAWAII vs FC DALLAS
CAPITAL DISTRICT vs SEATTLE SOUNDERS