Challenge

Emirates Stadium
Spectators: 52 (Terracing: 39, Seating: 12, VIP seats: 1) Nino Schurter made the kick off and thus started the match. After 2 minutes, Paul Klee mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Espen Steelers and the USA players grew even worse after the yellow card. The supporters of USA booed when Espen Steelers was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 2 match minutes in a wonderful position. Paul Klee didn't get a good kick on the ball. Thanks to some nice moves Alain Berset could shoot a difficult shot in the 8th minute, which Marco Day however easily saved by the left post. 10 minutes had been played when some careless play by USA's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Williams Imholz was slow to take the kick. During this time Espen Steelers's players had a chance to rest. If Monty Rogers had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 11th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Marco Day showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Nino Schurter, who was totally free with the ball in the 12th minute. 17 minutes into the match, USA's goal looked a bit too open when Nino Schurter came free, but Marco Day reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 29 minutes into the match, Espen Steelers's goal looked a bit too open when Edward Mcdonald came free, but Gregor Kobel reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Cassius Byrne took the ball and in the 33 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Gregor Kobel. Gregor Kobel dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. After 43 played minutes Espen Steelers got a freekick which was hit by Williams Imholz. Espen Steelers made a substitution. Lenny Rubin replaced Paul Klee. After 43 played minutes Espen Steelers got a freekick which was hit by Williams Imholz. After a rather tough play, Espen Steelers's Federico Abud got a free kick in the 45th minute. In the 47th minute of the match Cassius Byrne shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Gregor Kobel showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-1 lead.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Cassius Byrne to strike the kick off in the second half. 53 minutes into the match, USA's goal looked a bit too open when Nino Schurter came free, but Marco Day reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Cassius Byrne could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 55th minute of the match, but Gregor Kobel made a huge save. After having played for 58 minutes, Alain Berset managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Espen Steelers's supporters crossed their fingers, but Alain Berset was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Nino Schurter hit a great freekick 63 minutes into the match. USA's Sam Campbell was substituted for Cassius Byrne. After 70 played minutes USA got a freekick which was hit by Zach Harrison. 71 minutes into the match, Espen Steelers's Williams Imholz sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Marco Day narrowly saved just below the crossbar. In the 72nd match minute, Espen Steelers was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Stan Wawrinka to maneuver through the defense. Sam Campbell could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 83rd minute of the match, but Gregor Kobel made a huge save. Khalid Parry struck a weak shot in the 84th minute. Gregor Kobel didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for USA. After 89 played minutes Espen Steelers got a freekick which was hit by Torben Krabber. Williams Imholz recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 92nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. With his leg Gregor Kobel managed to avoid a goal in the 94thth minute, when USA's Sam Campbell fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. 95 minutes into the match, Rogelio Montez notched a goal, 2-1, to the right of USA's Marco Day. Marco Day was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. The home crowd let out a huge roar when the referee blew for the end of the game. Espen Steelers were victorious despite being under pressure from USA for much of the match.