Challenge

Oscar Parada
Spectators: 40 (Terracing: 31, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Cassius Byrne took the kick off in the first half of the match. Nicolas Roland sent away a hard shot on goal in the 8th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Nicolas Roland in the 8th minute of play forced USA's goalkeeper Marco Day to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 11 minutes into the match, USA's goal looked a bit too open when Nicolas Roland came free, but Marco Day reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. If Nicolas Roland had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 14th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 17th minute, Nicolas Roland 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. In the 18th minute Cassius Byrne shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Elpidio Vitin saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Elpidio Vitin made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cassius Byrne in the 30th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Edward Mcdonald in the 32nd minute of play forced Vélez Juniors's goalkeeper Elpidio Vitin to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 36 minutes into the match, Vélez Juniors's goal looked a bit too open when Cassius Byrne came free, but Elpidio Vitin reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Marco Day showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Nicolas Roland, who was totally free with the ball in the 37th minute. Vélez Juniors were awarded a corner in the 39th minute after USA's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Guido Luzaide took the corner. The corner led Vélez Juniors's Severo Maule to fire away a dangerous shot which Marco Day despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Elpidio Vitin showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Cassius Byrne, who was totally free with the ball in the 41st minute. USA's Cassius Byrne was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Elpidio Vitin in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. In the 42ndth minute of the game Jacob May who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Vélez Juniors's Elpidio Vitin was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. When the match had gone on for 42 minutes, Jacob May put it in 0-1 from a short distance just to the right of Elpidio Vitin. After a rather tough play, USA's Zach Harrison got a free kick in the 47th minute. Guido Luzaide blasted a shot towards the goal in the 48th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Marco Day having to make a save. After the first half USA were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Monty Rogers sent away a hard shot on goal in the 54th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 60th minute of the game Jenson Smith made a throw-in which Zach Harrison played forward. Vélez Juniors's Elpidio Vitin played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Monty Rogers in the 61st minute of play. Vélez Juniors's Guido Luzaide quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Diego Bradley, made in the 63rd minute of the game. When the match had gone on for 63 minutes, Cristian Naike put it in 1-1 from a short distance just to the right of Marco Day. USA's Marco Day played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Nicolas Roland in the 66th minute of play. Elpidio Vitin took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Monty Rogers, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 71 minutes into the game, Vélez Juniors's Cristian Naike nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Marco Day made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-1. USA made a substitution. Sam Campbell replaced Cassius Byrne. Monty Rogers fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 76th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Elpidio Vitin having to interfere. 94 minutes into the match, Vélez Juniors's goalkeeper Elpidio Vitin had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Zach Harrison. USA were disappointed that they only managed a draw, even though they felt themselves to be the better team.