National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725,
Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Merlin Castro got the match started through his kick off. Matthew Benjamin made a fantastic save in the 4th minute, when Lorenzo Acutain sent off a good shot on target. With a little luck, USA's Matthew Benjamin got control of the ball when Xzavier Palomarez tried to sneak it across the goal line. USA's defense didn't have a chance, in the 6th minute, when Xzavier Palomarez scored to the left of an out of position Matthew Benjamin, making the score, 1-0. Ricardo Ceberiche took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cody Miles, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Matthew Benjamin showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Diego van Basten, who was totally free with the ball in the 12th minute. Ricardo Ceberiche took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Mitchell Godwin, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After a rather tough play, Ecuador's Umbruso Salvadios got a free kick in the 15th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Mitchell Godwin in the 16th minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Ricardo Ceberiche to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 23 minutes into the match, Merlin Castro had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Ricardo Ceberiche. Ecuador's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Merlin Castro was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-1. Matthew Benjamin took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Diego van Basten, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 28 minutes into the match, USA's goal looked a bit too open when Diego van Basten came free, but Matthew Benjamin reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Diego van Basten scored 2-1 in the 31st match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Matthew Benjamin, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. 34 minutes into the game, Flavio Cifuentes recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Matthew Benjamin. Flavio Cifuentes showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 3-1. With a little luck, USA's Matthew Benjamin got control of the ball when Flavio Cifuentes tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 39th minute Mitchell Godwin shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ricardo Ceberiche saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Pat Lloret's late challenge caught a USA's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Pat Lloret helped the player get up and apologised. Pat Lloret hit a great freekick 40 minutes into the match. 41 minutes into the game, USA's Mitchell Godwin nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Ricardo Ceberiche made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 3-2. After a rather tough play, Ecuador's Pat Lloret got a free kick in the 46th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cody Miles in the 47th minute of play forced Ecuador's goalkeeper Ricardo Ceberiche to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.
When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Diego van Basten made a kick off. In the 52nd minute the ball was on its way in behind USA's goalkeeper Matthew Benjamin, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. The corner led to Ecuador's Lorenzo Acutain getting away a dangerous shot that went just outside the goal. Ricardo Ceberiche came out of the goal in the 59th minute to try and stop a shot by USA's Cody Miles. But to his dismay, Cody Miles quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 3-3. USA made a substitution. Lincoln Hand replaced Merlin Castro. After some careless play in the Ecuador defense, Cody Miles kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Ricardo Ceberiche. The Ecuador fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Ricardo Ceberiche should have stopped the shot. Ecuador's Obregón Pardemanos was substituted for Diego van Basten. Matthew Benjamin took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Obregón Pardemanos, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Ecuador's defense didn't have a chance, in the 74th minute, when Jose Bermudez scored to the left of an out of position Ricardo Ceberiche, making the score, 3-5. Matthew Benjamin showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Obregón Pardemanos, who was totally free with the ball in the 86th minute. Ecuador were awarded a corner in the 87th minute after USA's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Cordero Aberasturi took the corner. Ecuador's Cordero Aberasturi was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Matthew Benjamin in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. The long shot by Miki Moco in the 91st minute really tested Ricardo Ceberiche's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal. 92 minutes into the match, Obregón Pardemanos notched a goal, 4-5, to the right of USA's Matthew Benjamin. Matthew Benjamin was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. After a rather tough play, Ecuador's Umbruso Salvadios got a free kick in the 95th minute. After some fancy dribbling in the 96th minute, Miki Moco managed to get in a good position for a shot. USA's supporters rose to their feet, but Miki Moco was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Ricardo Ceberiche breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 97 minutes into the game, Lincoln Hand lined in a short shot 4-6 behind a frustrated Ricardo Ceberiche. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. USA walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.
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