Goal-den opportunity: Helena hosts first Gulch Cup, celebrates US win over Paraguay

Helenans held their own version of the World Cup on Friday against a backdrop of the initial matches of a tournament that will be played across three countries over the next month, eventually leading to one winner in the newly expanded 48-team tournament.

The Gulch Cup saw about 44 participants ranging from age 8 to 18 in Performance Square on Last Chance Gulch before the U.S. Men's National Team overwhelmed Paraguay Friday evening in a 4-1 victory.

Canada, Mexico and the U.S. are playing host to the world's best footballers during this year's World Cup tournament.

Helena's new Gulch Cup features 3-on-3 matches in a king-of-the-court-style tournament.

It was started by Bernard Kintzing, a Queen City resident; the idea came to him when he thought back to playing soccer as a kid.

"When I was in high school and middle school I use to play (in Performance Square) with our friends and do pickups," he said. "With the World Cup coming around this season, first off, I didn't want to watch it alone."

He worked with The Rialto to host watch parties showing all of the U.S. games in the tournament for Helenans to enjoy the game he loved.

"Then it just spiraled and I thought it would be fun to do this three-versus-three tournament," Kintzing said.

Dozens of parents, friends and family members filled the space as they watched their youngest and oldest players go goal-for-goal.

Players showed their skills, scoring goals from across the square and moving the ball across the concrete pitch, through legs and into the back of nets.

Kintzing said he was able to rent the space from the supportive city government for about $150 per day, but he received a grant from the Helena Business Improvement District to cover the cost of permitting for the event.

The goal was to host the event throughout the professional tournament as long as the U.S. survives its gauntlet in group play and advances through the knockout stages.

Two more events will be hosted in the same location on June 19, when the USMNT plays Australia, and on June 25, when the team plays Turkey.

To register to play in future Gulch Cup matches, visit https://www.gulchcup.com.