Bacon Boys FC produced the opening round’s most dramatic result, edging baldwin 3 4:3 in a match that already carried more weight than the wider scorelines elsewhere. Nathan Edmonson scored twice, with Chris Lynch and Eri Baroni also on target. Champions FC SPIDERS Sydney started cleanly with a 4:0 win over Partizan Sydney FK, while CIKAR made a strong early statement by beating last season’s third-placed Diddillibah FC 1:0.
The next round keeps the pressure on Diddillibah, who now face Bacon Boys in the standout fixture. FC Anderson Park North Sydney and F.C.Formerly In Shape both opened with wins and now meet in a useful early test, while CIKAR can build momentum against Procrastinators FC.
丸男 and Albirex Niigata opened with a goalless draw, keeping last season’s top two level while the early table took shape elsewhere.
Aira FC made the sharper statement among the chasing group, edging Fairy Tail 2:1. Next, Albirex Niigata meet Aira FC in the round’s key test, while Fairy Tail try to recover against FC Kawasaki Tokyo, who started fast but still need proof against stronger opposition.
Wellington Phoenix made the cleanest meaningful start, beating Waiuku FC 3:0 while last season’s top three all opened with wins.
Just Vale and Waitakere United quickly moved into rhythm, but the next round brings the first major checkpoint: Waitakere United face cup holders Blue Pixies in a meeting that could shape the early chase. Just Vale will look to protect the pace against Waiuku FC.
Yeongjongdo Island made the round’s biggest statement, overwhelming former champions YooSin 태권도 13:0 as Jung Hee You led the way with five goals.
Swans FC, Andong Mackerels and fc olleh also started cleanly, but Yeongjongdo Island gave the table its early jolt. The next round looks more about consolidation, with YooSin 태권도 needing an immediate response while the leaders try to keep momentum.
Important games this round:
• Last seasons Top teams: 1st - Swans FC (60 points), 2nd - fc olleh (56 points), 3rd - YooSin 태권도 (54 points), 4th - Yeongjongdo Island (49 points)• Promoted this season: S.iron, SMDM, Korea Bany
The Academy, Dhaka Abahani Limited and Narayanganj FC all opened with commanding wins, quickly restoring last season’s hierarchy at the top.
Kaspar Moberg struck nine for The Academy, but the sharper storyline is already ahead: The Academy and Narayanganj FC are also paired in the cup, while the league’s leading trio look set to keep the early pressure on.
baobeiqiqi made the opening statement, beating lanxingxing 4:0 as Zhi Qiang Qiao and Wu Ti Yo both struck twice.
Tongzhou Lions were just as sharp in a 6:1 win over xiaotian-inter, with three players scoring two each. That sets up an immediate early summit test between baobeiqiqi and Tongzhou Lions, while xiaotian-inter must recover quickly against fast-starting Sydney Warriors.
FC Pune City made the louder opening statement, winning 21:0 while champions Rangdajied UFC answered with a controlled 10:0 start.
For now, the title race looks exactly where last season left it: Rangdajied UFC defending the crown, FC Pune City chasing hard. The next round should give both another chance to build rhythm before their first direct test arrives.
Important games this round:
• Last seasons Top teams: 1st - Rangdajied UFC (63 points), 2nd - FC Pune City (60 points), 3rd - Bengaluru (57 points)
Deportivo Dekara made the most meaningful opening statement, beating last season’s fourth-placed Nongneng 4:1. Jan Tanski scored twice, while Tahir Taner and Alparslan Demirer added the others, giving Dekara an ideal start before their Challenge Cup campaign resumes. Champions Atilico de nezzuri, Tak Tigers, Area6ten9okini., Uttaradit Blades and Bangkok Glass Football Club all opened with heavy wins, though the tighter Dekara result carries the stronger early signal.
The next round should provide a clearer picture near the top. Bangkok Glass Football Club meet Area6ten9okini. in a sharp early test, while Uttaradit Blades face Dekara in another important measure. Nongneng must respond quickly, but their task is demanding: Atilico are next.
Cittá Beland, Xagħra United and Birkirkara F.C. all opened with comfortable wins, keeping last season’s leading trio immediately aligned.
Cittá Beland made the loudest statistical start, helped by Matthew Saunders scoring 13, but the real picture remains familiar: champions Xagħra United defend the crown while juggling Champions Cup duty, with Birkirkara F.C. and Cittá Beland already in pursuit.
Straw Hat Pirates delivered the most meaningful opening statement, beating Puddlemere United 4:1 with Mohamed Raouf Adjissa scoring twice and Richard Jeseneky and Thomas Regnier adding the rest. FC Păduricea also started sharply, defeating FC Sheriff Tiraspol 2:0 through Unal Oguzbas and Rastislav Kovac, a result that immediately pushes them into the early chasing conversation.
Dacians White Wolves and FC Petrolul Ploiesti both opened with heavy wins, though their real tests are still to come. One arrives quickly for the champions, as Dacians now face Straw Hat Pirates in the round’s standout fixture. Puddlemere must respond against Păduricea, while Petrolul carry Challenge Cup duties into a favourable-looking league assignment.
Newcomers Shake the Champions as Triton Start Fast
Triton FC made the loudest opening statement, beating East Strike4:1 on their top-flight debut. Sabin Suziu scored twice, with Maxime Marin and Ionut Comanescu adding the others, while Xaviar Victorson replied for East. The promoted side now visit champions Abatorul Slobozia, who already need a reaction after a surprise 1:0 defeat to Universitatea Cluj. Cristian Bughianu scored the only goal, giving Cluj a perfect return and leaving Abatorul with early pressure before their Champions Cup tie with Xagħra United.
F.C.PRETOR also began cleanly, edging AFC Atletico Mangalia1:0 through Noah Eskildsen. Last season’s runners-up now face VITEZISTII4S™, who lost 2:1 to FC Univ. Craiova despite Mecit Egilmez scoring. Mate Jung struck twice for Craiova, making their upcoming trip to Navigator one of the most interesting early tests between first-week winners.
Navigator earned their own dramatic start with a 3:2 win at promoted FC Caracal. Vasilica Galeteanu scored twice and Radu Butnaiu added the decisive third, after Caracal had answered through Waschinho Fonseca and Tristan Kostner. Elsewhere, Podgoria Murfatlar and Soimii I.P.A. Sibiu shared a 1:1 draw, leaving both with something to build on before matches against East and Atletico. It is only the start, but Romania already has champions under pressure, promoted sides making noise, and a compact group of early winners trying to turn one good result into momentum.
• Last seasons Top teams: 1st - Aris Thessalonikis (66 points), 2nd - FC Rotor Volgograd (60 points), 3rd - Torpedo Vladimir (51 points)• Promoted this season: Plan 9 Iz Kosmosa, Russtart, FC ZOG
Beringen Make Champions’ Start as Atletico Stumble
Beringen United Mightyred opened their title defence with the clearest statement of the round, beating Atletico De Madrid3:0. Kjell Valstad, Mattie Wragge and Coen Groenwoud all scored as the champions immediately reminded the league why they start as the team to catch. Atletico, third last season, now already need a response away to Heeley Harriers, while Beringen travel to Phantom Force FC looking to keep control before the table has settled.
Gravediggers also began strongly, beating Phantom 2:0 thanks to two goals from Bert Danell. Last season’s cup winners have a Challenge Cup tie against Celtic waiting, but domestically their next test at crystal palace f.c should say more about their early ambitions. Palace held promoted NOMADS to a goalless draw, so this is a useful chance for both sides to sharpen their opening impression.
Rougemont Rovers, last season’s runners-up, were checked immediately by promoted carter city. Neo Merrick scored from the spot for Rougemont, but Tuncel Yozgatli gave carter a valuable 1:1 draw. Rougemont now host another promoted side, The Tea Garden, who also drew 1:1 with Merlin Magic XI after goals from Alwyn Michaelson and Flavius Mocanu. With Albion Allstars and Heeley also starting with a goalless draw, England’s first weekend left Beringen and Gravediggers ahead, but plenty of clubs close enough to make the second match feel immediately important.
Football club Valur made the sharper opening statement, while champions Oldboys United also began with a routine win.
The first real direct test is still ahead, but both have already set the expected pace. Football club Valur now try to keep pressure on Oldboys United, who must balance the defence of their title with Champions Cup duties.
Important games this round:
• Last seasons Top teams: 1st - Oldboys United (64 points), 2nd - Football club Valur (61 points), 3rd - Junkers United (51 points), 4th - Vikingur (51 points)• Promoted this season: Nothing Hill, Vikings Football Club, Skytturnar
Villa Start Like Champions as Red Forest Shake fast n fit
Irish Villa Mob opened their title defence with the round’s clearest win, beating promoted Killarney Ravens FC6:0. Kevin Leddy and Finn McChesney both scored twice, while Andrew McHugh and Padraig Wilson added the others. With a Champions Cup tie against Linceo also waiting, Villa could hardly have asked for a cleaner domestic start.
The more revealing result came at Red Forest, where the former champions beat last season’s runners-up fast n fit3:1. Adriano Goncalves scored twice and Reyner Da Mata added the third, while Binyamin Cohen replied for fast n fit. That result immediately puts pressure on fast n fit before they host Leinster Lions, while Red Forest now visit Killarney looking to turn a strong first impression into momentum.
Hibernia also started well, beating promoted B LANCHESTER UTD™3:0 through goals from Joaquin Segura, Ryan Mamo and Alexandru Achim. They now travel to SportingHaroldsCross, who lost narrowly to dubs4sam after Marcus Laland scored the only goal. dubs4sam’s next meeting with Knockea United is one of the sharper early fixtures, especially after Knockea’s 2:0 win over Vanilla Bears.
Myaella Fc and Leinster shared a 1:1 draw, with Ion Moldoveanu and Alistair O'Brien trading goals. Myaella’s Challenge Cup tie against Grosuplje FC adds extra weight to their early rhythm, but for now the league story is simple: Villa started like champions, while several challengers already have something to prove.
Wallace Army F.C began their title defence with a narrow but valuable 1:0 win over Macduff Lions, a stronger signal than the bigger scorelines elsewhere. Tarmo Veskis scored the decisive goal against last season’s fourth-placed side, giving the champions an early advantage in the direct battles. Kirn FC also made a sharp start, beating Celtic 1:0 through Jamie Mclean, while Bingolspor FC edged Huntly FC by the same margin.
Dundonald Bluebell opened with a huge win and now face promoted Orkney Otters, who impressed with a 3:0 start of their own. The next round also gives Celtic a quick chance to respond against Bingolspor, while Kirn’s meeting with Macduff should further test two sides expected to stay near the upper half.
FC Lazies produced the opening round’s biggest statement, beating last season’s runners-up Kasovac Maratonci4:1. The promoted side arrived with serious history behind them, and goals from Marko Kantar, Darko Mikse, Amadeu Ministro and Ale Lopes made the performance impossible to ignore. Ion Fanaru replied for Kasovac, but they now already need a reaction before their Challenge Cup tie with F.C. Viktoria Plzen.
Belgrade City began their title defence with a composed 2:0 win at FK Radnik Bijeljina. Marko Jemc and Luke Gallivan scored for the champions, who now host Shooting Stars SC in one of the most interesting early fixtures. Shooting Stars opened even more sharply, beating Club de Futbol Dve Sarme4:0, with Kemal Alaomerovic scoring twice and Orcun Sarialp and Dorian Croitoru adding the rest.
F.C. Mali Supermeni also started with a strong result, edging FK Lokomotiva United3:2 despite two goals from Grey Samson. Mads Nystad, Tadeusz Witek and Milan Bibercic answered for Mali, setting up a sharp meeting with Lazies next time out.
FK Hajduk Sydney 06' and Mocni Veprovi shared a lively 2:2 draw, with Costel Dares scoring twice for Hajduk and Aleksander Zagar plus Pavel Marin replying. Hajduk now face Radnik, while Kasovac meet promoted FK Spartak in a match both sides will already feel they cannot afford to waste.
Olimpija Held as Kapfenberg and BLλCK MESA Gain Early Ground
NO MA´AM and Olimpija FC delivered the opening round’s headline result, drawing 2:2 in a rematch of last season’s top two. Imad Eddine Oussalah and Tobiasz Cyran struck for NO MA´AM, while Dagoberto Bueno and Viktor Simsek replied for the champions. BLλCK MESA took full advantage with a tight 1:0 win over Maribor FC, and Kapfenberg SV started strongly as Milos Kamnar scored three in a 3:1 victory.
The next round keeps the pressure high. BLλCK MESA now face Olimpija in a major early test, while NO MA´AM meet TRABZONSP0R, another side coming off a narrow win. Wolfsberger and Kapfenberg also collide after both opening with victories, giving the table another quick shake-up opportunity.
Belfast warriors delivered the opening round’s biggest result, beating defending champions BH Dragons1:0. Clotario Pardo De Aguiar scored the only goal, giving one of the promoted sides a perfect start and leaving the 21-time champions with immediate work to do before their Champions Cup tie against SSSE. Dragons now visit another promoted side, Zvijezda Gradacac, who also began with a win, edging F.C. Imperial2:1 through goals from Salko Rahmic and Krunoslav Latkovic.
FC Peacocks almighty made the loudest scoring statement, beating Borac 19269:0. Mijodrag Renci and Edvinas Butenas both scored hat-tricks, Ismar Sisic added two, and Gildemar Benedetti completed the win. The cup holders and Challenge Cup entrants now face The Nobles, who opened with a narrow 2:1 defeat to Dinny. Dinny’s Ayhan Baydogan scored twice in that win, setting up a sharp next test away to FK Sarajevo 1946.
Sarajevo were on the wrong end of the round’s thriller, losing 4:3 to PARTIZAN FK. Stjepan Kranjer scored twice for Partizan, with Nikifor Bulikowski and Aid Dautovic also on target. Sarajevo answered through Zulfo Prskalo, Dino Nuhanovic and Elvir Suljagic, but start the season with pressure already attached.
Blaugrana F.C also impressed, beating FK Ljiljan3:0, and now host Belfast in one of the round’s most interesting early unbeaten meetings.
Lazio_1900 delivered the round’s defining result, beating reigning champions Vereya F.C. 2:0 through goals from Roni Reis and Sotir Popov.
CSKA Sofia, Val United and Kazanlŭk Thracians FC also opened with wins, but the next round quickly raises the pressure: CSKA Sofia meet Vereya F.C., giving the champions an immediate chance to answer or risk an early wobble.
Football Club SKA-Khabarovsk produced the round’s sharpest result, beating Al Nassr Riyadh 3:1 as Altemar Dutra scored twice and Gabor Jurak added the third.
Champions Hunyadi János also opened cleanly, with Oszlar Lorenz leading their 4:0 win over Football club Pécs. Next, Paksi Sportegyesület face Football club Pécs in the most useful early measure, while Hunyadi János, Szeged and FTC Isti look to keep control.
Alliance Strike First as San Stefano Survive Werder Test
For The Alliance made the strongest opening statement, sweeping past STORMWIND6:1. Momcilo Stankovic scored a hat-trick, while Aizik Allard, Cvetko Vujosevic and Fausto Segata added the rest. After missing last season’s title on a tiebreak, Alliance have started with exactly the sort of authority they needed, especially with a Challenge Cup tie against Mauá Futsal also waiting.
San Stefano FC had to work harder for their first win as champions, edging promoted S.V. Werder Bremen2:1. Pawel Kaczmarski scored both goals for the holders, while Falco Meyer replied for Werder. San Stefano now face an early test away to Returnees, who began well with a 2:1 win over Club Atlético de Madrid S.A.D. through goals from Mariusz Kazmierczak and Jose Bennet.
Nottingham Forest FC, last season’s third-placed side and current Challenge Cup entrant, were held 1:1 by O.F.K. Ostrog. Cristiano Bautista scored for Forest, with William Mabel replying. Their next match against OFK BAR should be a sharper measure after BAR opened with a 2:0 win over promoted Yellow Pillow, thanks to Mihail Cristescu and Toia Barreto.
Grobari Berane also started with a narrow win, beating promoted Shamrock Rovers2:1. With Alliance already flying and San Stefano facing a tricky second match, Montenegro’s title race has begun with pressure in all the right places.
Grosuplje Dreamteam made the loudest opening statement, beating Inter Miami CF4:1. Fuad Stitkovic, Jalen Smic, Mans Johansson and Milorad Nikolic all scored, while Paun Rujak replied for Inter. Dreamteam now host FC Loče Soccer Academy, who were edged 2:1 by FC Podgurje despite a goal from Eling Woude.
FC Soccer Academy Red Bull began their title defence with a tighter 1:0 win over Olimpija 1911. Filipo Reynoso scored the only goal for the league and cup holders, who now face promoted F.C.Barcelona. before turning attention to their Champions Cup tie against FC Seher Bosna. Barcelona showed they will not be easy opponents, losing only 2:1 to Grosuplje FC after Dario Cendon had scored their first top-flight goal.
Grosuplje FC took that match through Caleb Warburton and Rok Hrvatin, and they now meet Inter while also preparing for a Challenge Cup tie with Myaella Fc. Neverwalkalone also started cleanly, beating promoted Grosuplje United FC1:0 through Aljaz Svete.
The most balanced result came between Alkosi i drogeraši and Borussia Dortmund. Sas Lap scored twice for Alkosi, but Borussia answered through Lucan Arcuri and Joao Palts for a 2:2 draw. Next up, Neverwalkalone host Alkosi, while Podgurje’s meeting with Borussia should tell us whether Arlan Junior’s opening double was the start of something bigger.
YPRES FC produced the opening round’s headline result, beating defending champions FC Goldstar3:2. Damiano Cioccardo scored twice and Stenio Torrens added the other, while Tuncel Gokcin struck both Goldstar goals. For a promoted side, it was a major statement; for Goldstar, it is an early warning before their Champions Cup tie with Mighty Bears F.C. and a home match against A.C. Milan 1899.
Fc Bijou also started powerfully, beating promoted Milan 4:1. Patric Gerard opened the season with a hat-trick and Saul Estrada completed the win, while Elizeu Lessa replied from the spot. Bijou now host promoted eendracht, who began with a 1:1 draw against kfc de preistampers after goals from Marek Mik and Renato Cadete.
hammertime were held 2:2 by EA SERREKES, despite goals from Omar Pinzon and Noe Guilllaume. SERREKES answered through Ralfs Reders and Luke Quintano, making their next trip to SC Betekom an interesting test after Betekom opened with a 1:0 win over cup holders Merchtem2016, decided by Jelle Rombaut.
THE VILLABOYS and Sasboys shared a goalless draw, and Villaboys now face hammertime in one of the sharper second-week fixtures. The first round already turned the expected order upside down: Goldstar are chasing, YPRES have announced themselves, and Bijou have started like a side ready to climb.
Futebol Clube do Porto delivered the opening round’s sharpest result, beating defending champions Galacticos C.P.1:0. Pascual Marques scored the only goal, leaving last season’s league and cup winners with an early setback, even if their Champions Cup path begins with a bye. Galacticos now face promoted New Order, where anything less than a response would make the start feel genuinely uncomfortable.
FC Saense made the loudest scoring statement, beating last season’s runners-up S. C. Pena d´Alva5:2. Alcides Silvana scored twice, with Alexandre Lage, Selcuk Kayin and Lino Zacarias also on target. Pena replied through Piotr Reetz and Joaquim Pardal, but they now have to regroup quickly before facing Porto and a Challenge Cup tie with Nottingham Forest FC.
Sá FC also began with authority, beating New Order 3:0 thanks to a Matej Volko hat-trick. Their Challenge Cup meeting with KS Mosquito Zabrze adds extra weight to a strong start, while their next league match against Vale Pisão offers a chance to keep early pressure on the rest.
Sá City Futebol Clube earned an important 3:1 win over Sumolix Stars, with Marinel Olaru scoring twice and William Aberg adding the third. They now meet promoted alfistas, who opened with a tight 1:0 win over Sport Machados da Surriba. ODC WaRrIoRz v2 also made a strong top-flight entrance, beating Vale Pisão3:1, and their trip to Machados should show whether that first result was more than just a bright debut.
Norrlands Open With Authority as IFK Edge Thriller
Norrlandsfotboll FC began their title defence with a strong 6:2 win over last season’s fourth-placed Eneby BK, led by five goals from Kleuber Araujo. It was the clearest meaningful statement of the opening round, even as Slovenia Dreamteam, Bałtyk Gdynia and Uppsala Kickers also started with big wins. IFK Hägersten delivered the tightest success, edging SuperIbra 3:2, while Nordic Vikings beat Rutger Boll Klubb 3:1.
The next round gives SuperIbra an immediate chance to respond against Bałtyk, who will be looking to prove their opener was more than a fast start. Eneby face another demanding test against Slovenia Dreamteam, while Uppsala meet Rutger in a useful early measure of both sides’ direction.
FC Albisrieden opened with a strong 4:1 win over FC Appenzell, matching champions The steelheads at the top after their own 4:1 start. Luis Portal Frias struck three times for the title holders, while Albisrieden spread the goals around through Joaozinho Guerreiro, Wolfgang Dahnke, Josua Andres and Jason Walter. The tightest top-four signal came from Fc Black Panther and FC KOFA, whose 0:0 draw left both with work to do after last season’s third-versus-fourth meeting.
The next round quickly sharpens the picture, with Albisrieden facing KOFA in a major early test. fc walhalla, fresh from a 2:1 win over fc schönspieler and with Challenge Cup football ahead, meet AC TORINO, who also started with a narrow victory. The steelheads will aim to keep momentum before their Champions Cup campaign resumes.
M.C.Algiers and USM Alger Set Up Early Statement Match
RC Kouba began their latest title defence with control rather than fireworks, edging EL KSEUR STARS FC1:0 through Constantin Valmar. The 21-time champions remain the standard in Algeria, but their next match away to MPAlger should offer a clearer test, especially with a Champions Cup tie against Lexeros Futbol Club also on the horizon.
The sharpest upcoming match is between M.C.Algiers and USM Alger, two sides who both opened with 2:1 wins. M.C.Algiers came from the round with Luka Boh already on two goals after their victory over The Black Pearl, while USM Alger beat Mouloudia Club Oran through goals from Jeroen Smets and Musa Tumer. With both clubs sitting just behind Kouba in the early chasing group, their meeting already feels like a useful measure of ambition.
Banu Zayan FC also made a strong start, beating last season’s runners-up alger united2:1. Antoni Smolinski and Leon Japelj scored for Banu, while Nacir Bouaicha replied for alger united, who now face Itihad.Riadi.Ouled.Nail with early pressure and a Challenge Cup tie against Athletic Valhalla waiting.
Elsewhere, Itihad and MPAlger shared a 1:1 draw, as did USMKouba and cup holders USM.GAZA. That leaves the second round with a compact pack behind Kouba, and with M.C.Algiers against USM Alger, Algeria already has a headline clash before the table has had time to settle.
Juan Carlo Balón and Club Bolívar played out the round’s most telling result, a 0:0 draw that left both chasing from the start.
Blooming and Royal Pari opened with comfortable wins and already look set to renew last season’s title duel. The next round should favour both leaders again, while Club Bolívar and Juan Carlo Balón need cleaner responses.
Important games this round:
• Last seasons Top teams: 1st - Blooming (61 points), 2nd - Royal Pari (61 points), 3rd - Juan Carlo Balón (54 points), 4th - Club Bolívar (51 points)• Promoted this season: c2h5ohhh, F.C. LEONES del ORIENTE, F.C. LEONES SANTA CRUZ
São Paulo F.C. made the clearest opening move in Brazil, beating promoted Big Soccer FC3:1. Cleber Granemann scored twice and Filippe Godoi added the third, putting São Paulo top after the first match and giving them early confidence before a trip to promoted Atlético Potiguar. Atlético showed some resistance in their own opener, with Carney Clark scoring in a 2:1 defeat to Na Canela™.
For the defending champions, the start was more cautious. Udi City F.C were held 1:1 by Touro do Sertão, with Tulio Pinero and Ramiro Guia trading goals. Udi now visit Avanti Palestra!, needing a first win before attention turns toward their Champions Cup meeting with Insomniac FC. Last season’s runners-up Guará E.C also opened with a draw, sharing a goalless match with Nivek United, and now face a useful test against Geny F.C.
Geny’s start was efficient rather than spectacular, as Karl Ramsland scored the only goal in a 1:0 win over Avanti. That makes their meeting with Guará one of the round’s sharper early fixtures, especially with Guará also preparing for Challenge Cup duty against Dhaka Abahani Limited.
Candal FC and promoted Desportivo Sol also shared a 1:1 draw, with Dan Pelliza Pueyrredon and Samir Das Chagas on target. Desportivo now meet Touro in a match between sides trying to turn solid starts into momentum, while Nivek United against Na Canela should give the second round an early table-shaping edge.
The Lads made the most meaningful opening statement, beating FC Newmarket 3:0 with Beto Unquera scoring twice and Elliott Huard adding the other goal. NorVan FC also started sharply, edging former champions Étoile Bordjienne 1:0 through Ahmed Spijodic. The larger wins elsewhere were expected, though champions North Mississauga SC, Bulletproof Monks, Football club de Taher and Quebec Football Club all did what they needed to do.
The next round should give the table a better shape. The Lads face Quebec in the standout fixture, with both sides unbeaten and Quebec carrying Challenge Cup duties ahead. NorVan’s meeting with Football club de Taher is another useful test, while Étoile must respond quickly against Bulletproof Monks.
Assisi Lagos Nueva Galicia made the strongest opening statement, beating C. D. Jorge Campos 7:1 in a direct clash of last season’s third and fourth. Sergen Umay, Matias De Leon Bravo and Nedim Gencsal all scored twice, with Zvonimir Zupanc adding the other. Fc MEWA also started well, winning 3:1 at Perro Loko FC through two goals from Pieter Luttjeboer and one from Alejandro Quintana.
Champions Octopus MX opened comfortably and now carry Champions Cup duties in the background, but the next round’s headline is clearly MEWA against Assisi. C.D. Guadalajara and Panteras Negras UAM shared a lively 2:2 draw, and Panteras now get another useful test against fast-starting Real Geminis.
• Last seasons Top teams: 1st - Octopus MX (57 points), 2nd - Fc MEWA (57 points), 3rd - Assisi Lagos Nueva Galicia (48 points)• Promoted this season: FC United Regensdorf, Tigres Dorados, Brancos FC
FC Seher Bosna began their title defence with a convincing 3:0 win over NY Cosmos, as Hauk Haugseth scored all three against last season’s fourth-placed side. The champions already look sharp before their Champions Cup campaign resumes, while Cosmos must recover quickly with Challenge Cup duties also ahead.
The other major opening result came from Galaxy LA, who edged last season’s runners-up TeamScout 1:0 through Ettore Pollidoro. New Jersey Stars survived a 3:2 test against promoted SmarTeam, and now face Cosmos in a useful early measure. Seher Bosna meet FC Ironbound next, while TeamScout need a response against Goal Diggers.
