MONTREAL -- The largest crowd ever in the World League of American Football -- 53,238 at Olympic Stadium -- was silenced by the Barcelona Dragons, who beat Montreal, 34-10, behind two touchdown passes from Scott Erney to Gene Taylor to spoil the Machine's home debut last night.

The game marked the return of professional football to Montreal. The last game was Nov. 9, 1986, when the Alouettes of the Canadian Football League drew just more than 9,000 for a playoff game against the Toronto Argonauts. The Alouettes folded before their season opener in 1987.