FRISCO, Texas — Sporting Kansas City and FC Dallas posted notable wins in the first day of the MLS Generation adidas Cup at the Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco. KC rallied with four second-half scores to defeat Quatar’s Aspire Academy while FC Dallas took control with a goal in the 10th minute in a well-rounded win over Spain’s Bilbao.

The second-day of pool play continues Monday with a day a rest before completing pool play Wednesday and beginning the knockout stage Thursday. The finals for the Champions and Premier divisions are Saturday.

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The Champions Division expanded its foreign influence with 10 highly regarded clubs from multiple continents with a variety of styles and highly regarded talent base. The international talent will compete with 10 teams from overseas in a 17-team MLS academy field. MLS qualified through tournament play and those not qualifying are participating in the Premier division also mixed with top international clubs.

The international clubs had their moments in the first day. Eintracht Frankfurt looked like a championship bracket favorite with a dominating 3-0 win over San Jose. Brazil’s Palmeiras looked fluid and athletic in a 4-0 victory over Philadelphia Union.

Real Salt Lake City has numerous chances in a 2-1 loss to Pumas, which scored two goals on a penalty goal and quick strike all within 45 seconds.

Sporting Kansas City 4, Quatar’s Aspire Academy 2

Holding a talented Aspire scoreless in a first half as Aspire played with a strong wind to its back, SPK fell behind 2-0 before a mix of spicey footwork and solid teamwork rallied for a victory.

SKC took a 1-0 lead on a corner kick header by Jared Crist. But Aspire has a roster full of skilled players including Khalid Muneer and to a 2-1 lead with a pair of scores after skirting past the defense for clear shots on goal.

Paul Whitener scored the tying goal before a skill spin opened up a shot for Fernando Borges and gave SKC a 3-2 lead. Chase Bromstedt scored the final goal against a stunned Aspire and coach Istvan Urbanyi, who has SKC ties in his impressive resume.

Aspire has 10 players from the Qatari age-group national team and the country’s profile has been raised by the tiny Persian Gulf state hosting th World Cup in 2022 and players from this team will be prime national team candidates as 24-year-olds.

“We made some adjustments, the wind was a big factor,” SKC coach João Pereira said. “We kept pressing. We switched to a 3-5-2 and created ways to get goals. You can see Borges is a smaller player, but he can make those plays to create goals.”

FC Dallas 3, Atletic Club Bilbao 0

A goal by Giovanni Montesdeoca in the 10th minute turned momentum toward FCD with took command with a goal midway through the second half and coasted after Montesdeoca’s second goal with just more than five minutes remaining.

FCD reached the semifinals of last year’s tournament before losing to Real Salt Lake, which it meets in pool play Monday afternoon. FCD qualified with a strong performance in the central regional tournament. Montesdeoca came across from the right side before hitting just inside the far post with a strong shot on his outside foot. He had another great finish for his second goal.

With 35-minute halfs, Reggie Cannon kept moving upfield looking for a pass but had good recognition when slicing through a Bilboa crease and setting up a strong goal for a 2-0 in the second half.

A Furman commit, FCD goalie Ben Hale took advantage of good help and made three solid saves when needed. He had a well-times rush to stop a breakaway and showed athleticism with a second-half tip over the top of the goal on a free kick.

Bilbao played well at the beginning of the first and second half but a host of roster changes just before the tournament manifested itself with largely inconsistent play.

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