Challenge

Western Springs
Spectators: 44 (Terracing: 34, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) Mexico's Joel Gaona started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. If Lautaro Mancebo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 4th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Alberto Tafalla kicked well hit freekick during the 5th minute of the match. 11 minutes into the match, Western Springs FC's goal looked a bit too open when Alberto Tafalla came free, but Hal Mackey reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 12th minute, Facundo Cadaval hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Luca Rouco hit a great freekick 13 minutes into the match. Hal Mackey took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Lautaro Mancebo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 17th minute of the match Mexico got a corner. Western Springs FC's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Joel Gaona ran over to the corner to take the kick. The supporters of Mexico booed when Western Springs FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 19 match minutes in a wonderful position. Frankie Russell didn't get a good kick on the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alberto Tafalla in the 20th minute of play forced Western Springs FC's goalkeeper Hal Mackey to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The corner ended in Luca Zorita almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Western Springs FC's Hal Mackey did a great save. Dante Lacasa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Lionel Egan, who was totally free with the ball in the 26th minute. 33 minutes into the match, Western Springs FC's goal looked a bit too open when Lautaro Mancebo came free, but Hal Mackey reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 34 minutes Western Springs FC's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Joel Gaona who took care of the corner kick. Felix Luque kicked well hit freekick during the 35th minute of the match. In the 45th minute, Joel Gaona got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Emmanuel Corley made a kick off. Hal Mackey showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Luca Zorita in the 52nd minute of the match. After 54 minutes of play, Western Springs FC's Kerry McDonald made it 1-0 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Dante Lacasa was left in no man's land by his defense there! After a rather tough play, Western Springs FC's Emmanuel Corley got a free kick in the 58th minute. If Luca Zorita had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 61st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Dante Lacasa showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Frankie Russell in the 67th minute of the match. 68 minutes had been played when some careless play by Mexico's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Emmanuel Corley was slow to take the kick. During this time Western Springs FC's players had a chance to rest. Western Springs FC's Emmanuel Corley was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Dante Lacasa in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. In the 70th minute, Joel Gaona got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. If Lautaro Mancebo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 76th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 80 played minutes Western Springs FC got a freekick which was hit by Colby Saucedo. A collision led to Western Springs FC getting a freekick after 81 minutes play. Cory Lowry hit a great ball. Lautaro Mancebo kicked well hit freekick during the 84th minute of the match. Lautaro Mancebo struck a weak shot in the 86th minute. Hal Mackey didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Mexico. In the 88th minute, Joel Gaona got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. When Luca Zorita fell near the penalty area in the 92nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Mexico's protests and gave Luca Zorita a yellow card for diving instead. Luca Zorita kicked well hit freekick during the 92nd minute of the match. In the 95th minute the ball was on its way in behind Western Springs FC's goalkeeper Hal Mackey, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Facundo Cadaval sent away a hard shot on goal in the 96th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance.