Challenge

RFK Stadium
Spectators: 47 (Terracing: 36, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Cassius Byrne kicked off to start the match. The audience thought a goal was coming when Cassius Byrne got free with Mickaël Maris in the 6th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Horaţiu Măcrinici in the 8th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Marco Day saved USA from getting behind. An unexpectedly hard shot by Monty Rogers in the 11th minute of play forced Nova Iguaçu MZFC's goalkeeper Mickaël Maris to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Mickaël Maris made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Monty Rogers in the 11th minute of play. If Ladislao Gerazan had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 13th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Nova Iguaçu MZFC's Mickaël Maris played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cassius Byrne in the 14th minute of play. USA's Marco Day played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ladislao Gerazan in the 15th minute of play. In the 17th minute, Edward Mcdonald reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Mickaël Maris. The goal made the score 1-0. Through an outstanding action, after 19 minutes, Mickaël Maris successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. Marco Day made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ladislao Gerazan in the 22nd minute of play. 27 minutes into the match, USA's goal looked a bit too open when Horaţiu Măcrinici came free, but Marco Day reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 43rd match minute, USA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Edward Mcdonald to maneuver through the defense. In the 46th minute, Jenson Smith hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Af the end of the first half the score was 1-0. The first half had gone as expected for the home team.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Horaţiu Măcrinici to strike the kick off in the second half. In the 51st minute, Zézinho Veloso hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Zézinho Veloso could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 56th minute of the match, but Marco Day made a huge save. Marco Day made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Laércio Penha in the 60th minute of play. The supporters of USA booed when Nova Iguaçu MZFC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 61 match minutes in a wonderful position. Edu Vaz didn't get a good kick on the ball. Marco Day made an important save on a dangerous shot by Laércio Penha in the 64th minute. Laércio Penha recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 71st minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Laércio Penha in the 74th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Marco Day prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 78th minute, Sam Campbell made a precise shot to the right of Mickaël Maris. Nova Iguaçu MZFC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-0. USA made a substitution. Marco Baker replaced Edward Mcdonald. Marco Day showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Laércio Penha, who was totally free with the ball in the 82nd minute. In the 84th minute the ball was on its way in behind USA's goalkeeper Marco Day, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Mickaël Maris showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Sam Campbell, who was totally free with the ball in the 86th minute. The corner went over the outstretched arms of Nova Iguaçu MZFC's goalie and right to Marco Baker. He fired away a shot at goal, but the shot had too much spin, and it went just outside the goal. Nova Iguaçu MZFC's manager breathed a sigh of relief on the sidelines as his team had managed to escape an almost certain goal. Sam Campbell might have been able to make a better finish in the 92nd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Mickaël Maris. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Sam Campbell ran back to his position shaking his head. USA's supporters were delighted with their team's performance and swarmed onto the pitch at the end of the match to celebrate the victory with the players.