Dallas Cup XXXII Super Group roundup Day 1

A couple of big upsets defined the opening day of Dallas Cup XXXII Super Group play. The biggest upset saw FC Dallas take out a very ordinary looking FC Barcelona side 3-1.  The home side looked eager and energized while Barca looked like they had just gotten off the plane from Europe.  Barcelona had the first chance of the game in the 17th minute, but after that there was very little as they clearly lacked that dynamic attacking players. 

FC Dallas made them pay in the 23rd as they countered off a Barcelona corner kick.  Jonathan Top got in behind the Barca defense where he slid a nice square ball to Daniel Garcia who rifled off the crossbar.  Barcelona were unable to clear and the ball found its way to Top who finished himself for the 1-0 lead.  Just 10 minutes later FC Dallas made it 2-0 as once again they got in behind the Barca backline.  Jose Perez raced in and finished smartly sending the game to halftime 2-0.

Barcelona made several subs at the half and came out more determined, but it was shortlived as FC Dallas made it 3-0 in the 55th when Top found Garcia for the goal.  Barca ended the match with a flurry earning a penalty kick in the 89th, but it was too little too late as FC Dallas pulled the 3-1 upset.

Another of the favorites also went down Sunday as the Vancouver Whitecaps defeated SC Corinthians from Brazil 3-2.  A hattrick from Vancouver's Ben Fisk ruled the day and allowed the Whitecaps were able to see out the upset.

Arsenal cruised to a 5-1 thrashing of Dallas Texans.  The Texans scored first when a perfectly executed set piece left Eduardo Aranda for an easy tapin.  That would be that though as Arsenal turned the screws and completely bossed the match from there.  Conor Henderson evened the game in the 40th minute as he swerved home a freekick and Roarie Deacon put the Gunners ahead for good a couple of minutes later.  The second half was all Arsenal as the Texans had Caleb Richardson was shown his second yellow card in the 47th minute forcing the Texans to play short the rest of the way.  Arsenal would add three more as it was all one way traffic the final 45 minutes.

The Japan U18 National Team got off to a rousing start as they took care of CS Cartagines from Costa Rica 3-1.  Tigres broke open a 1-1 tie with two second half goals to beat Real Salt Lake 3-1 while Eintracht Frankfurt were particularly impressive in a 4-0 win over Alajuelense of Costa Rica.

Monday will show the Super Group back in action as teams fight to advance from group play.  Group C could be decided tomorrow as Tigres face Vancouver Whitecaps at noon. We will see if Barcelona can bounce back as they face a tricky match against the Japan U18s and FC Dallas will look to continue their impressive play as they face CS Cartagines.