League Play-Off

Windy City
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Fort Bliss's Korey Stephens 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. A.J. Rush made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Eric Fowler in the 3rd minute of play. A collision led to Real Chicago FC getting a freekick after 13 minutes play. Alban Blein hit a great ball. In the 14th minute of the match Adalberto Caballero shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but A.J. Rush showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. With a little luck, Fort Bliss's Hayden Hodges got control of the ball when Albert Baez tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 18th minute, Albert Baez 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. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Korey Stephens in the 20th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck A.J. Rush prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Albert Baez took the ball and in the 22 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Hayden Hodges. Hayden Hodges dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-0. 27 minutes into the match, Korey Stephens had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of A.J. Rush. Real Chicago FC's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Korey Stephens was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-1. An unexpectedly hard shot by Darron Rowland in the 30th minute of play forced Real Chicago FC's goalkeeper A.J. Rush to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The supporters of Real Chicago FC booed when Fort Bliss was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 32 match minutes in a wonderful position. Cameron Noel didn't get a good kick on the ball. 36 minutes into the match, Real Chicago FC's goal looked a bit too open when Korey Stephens came free, but A.J. Rush reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Albert Baez was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 40th minute. Real Chicago FC's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. Hayden Hodges showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Aaron Medina, who was totally free with the ball in the 44th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Eric Fowler in the 48th minute of play forced Real Chicago FC's goalkeeper A.J. Rush to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Real Chicago FC made a substitution. Charlie Klein replaced Albert Baez. When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Charlie Klein made a kick off. A.J. Rush took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Korey Stephens, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 58th match minute, Fort Bliss was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Kurt Love to maneuver through the defense. In the 59th minute of the match Charles Sewell sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Hayden Hodges skillfully saved the ball. Cameron Noel hit a great freekick 60 minutes into the match. After 63 minutes of play, Real Chicago FC's Charlie Klein made it 2-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Hayden Hodges was left in no man's land by his defense there! Charlie Klein might have been able to make a better finish in the 72nd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Hayden Hodges. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Charlie Klein ran back to his position shaking his head. Charlie Klein sent away a hard shot on goal in the 80th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Hayden Hodges didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Charles Sewell went, in the 81st minute, to the upper right corner, 3-1 was the resulting score. After 90 played minutes Fort Bliss got a freekick which was hit by Darron Rowland. Ernesto Guy hit a great freekick 93 minutes into the match. In the 94th minute of the match, Darron Rowland got a very nice opportunity to score, but A.J. Rush was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post.