Dallas Cup XXXI Super Group play opens

The opening day of Dallas Cup XXXI Super Group play is over and despite the howling winds of Sunday there were 8 wonderful matches played.  The highlight of the day was the feature match between the USA 91/92 national side and the Mexico 91/92 nationals.  Unfortunately, a referee decision played a major role in how the game would play out.  A very questionable penalty kick was given midway through the opening half as a Mexico player went down easily at the top of the US 18.  Not only did the referee give the foul, he also awarded a penalty kick.  To further compound things, he sent the American player off.  Poor decisions from a referee that did not have to have so much influence on the match at all.

My opinion, but 90% of the time that would not have been even a foul, much less a penalty.  And then to send the player off was larceny.  The US were forced to play 60 minutes a man down.  On the ensuing penalty kick, American keeper Zac McMath made a great save to keep the game tied.  Mexico scored a nice goal to open the second half on a header off a corner kick.  The Americans hung in though playing shorthanded and pushed hard at the end for the tying goal.  In the 90th minute, Kofi Sarkodie pounded a header clean off the crossbar and the match ended 1-0 to Mexico.

In other Super Group action, Chelsea opened strongly taking out FC Dallas Youth 4-2 while Tottenham Hotspur defeated Dallas Texans Academy 2-1.  The Japan 91/92 national team opened Dallas Cup with a solid 3-2 win over Tigres.  The other two Mexican pro sides opened with wins.  Chivas defeated Hoffenheim of Germany 4-2 and CF Monterrey beat CD Alajuelense 3-0.  Eintracht Frankfurt from Germany looked very strong as they crushed the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0.  Finally, CZ Elite of the US put up a strong fight, but fell to Brazilian powers Cruzeiro 2-1.

All the teams arre back in action on Monday.  The premier games on the docket are unbeaten Tottenham facing the Japan national side with control of Bracket C on the line.  Eintracht Frankfurt and Mexico will face off for control of Bracket D.  The USA will play Vancouver with the winner eliminated from contention for a semifinal berth.