League

Atrium Stadium
Spectators: 8003 (Terracing: 6004, Seating: 1840, VIP seats: 159) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Xavier Gobeo started the match with the kick off. In the 5th minute, Xavier Gobeo ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Felix Cowan was frozen by the shot and now it was 0-1. Felix Cowan showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from J.P. Kirkland, who was totally free with the ball in the 10th minute. Stevie Reilly fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 13th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Felix Cowan having to interfere. After a rather tough play, Knoxville United FC's Ahmed Evans got a free kick in the 14th minute. The Heat Wave Sports fans' excitement grew in the 18th match minute when Heat Wave Sports's Xavier Gobeo looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 0-2 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. The audience thought a goal was coming when Son Gaines got free with Vincenzo Ross in the 22nd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. After having played for 24 minutes, Thanh Maloney managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Knoxville United FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Thanh Maloney was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 30 minutes into the game, one of Knoxville United FC:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. Vincenzo Ross made a fantastic save in the 40th minute, when Son Gaines sent off a good shot on target. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Xavier Gobeo in the 42nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Felix Cowan prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Son Gaines fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 48th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Vincenzo Ross having to interfere. Disappointed in the 0-3 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

The wind increased when Thanh Maloney made the kick off in the second half. Kenneth Russ might have been able to make a better finish in the 52nd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Felix Cowan. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Kenneth Russ ran back to his position shaking his head. Xavier Gobeo fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 55th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Felix Cowan having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Thanh Maloney in the 56th minute of play forced Heat Wave Sports's goalkeeper Vincenzo Ross to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ahmed Evans took the ball and in the 58 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Vincenzo Ross. Vincenzo Ross dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-3. Felix Cowan made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Xavier Gobeo in the 62nd minute of play. In the 64th match minute, Heat Wave Sports was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by J.P. Kirkland to maneuver through the defense. In the 67th minute Thanh Maloney shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Vincenzo Ross saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 67th minute, Thanh Bush hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Heat Wave Sports's J.P. Kirkland got a good chance for a goal in the 70th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After 72 minutes, Cliff Hawk mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Heat Wave Sports and the Knoxville United FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. A collision led to Heat Wave Sports getting a freekick after 72 minutes play. Cliff Hawk hit a great ball. A collision led to Knoxville United FC getting a freekick after 75 minutes play. Ahmed Evans hit a great ball. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Brendan Ware during the 77th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Brendan Ware kicked well hit freekick during the 77th minute of the match. The supporters of Heat Wave Sports booed when Knoxville United FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 82 match minutes in a wonderful position. Brendan Ware didn't get a good kick on the ball. If Thanh Maloney had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 88th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Kyle Háva during the 89th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Kyle Háva hit a great freekick 90 minutes into the match. In the 91st minute of the match Cyrus Guy shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Felix Cowan showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Stevie Reilly received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 92nd minute. Felix Cowan tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 95 played minutes, Knoxville United FC's Brendan Ware shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Vincenzo Ross came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Knoxville United FC reached it. Xavier Gobeo struck a weak shot in the 97th minute. Felix Cowan didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Heat Wave Sports. Heat Wave Sports's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.