Challenge

Dan Paltinisanu
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Ernest Manea kicked off to start the match. In the 2nd match minute, FC Politehnica Timisoara was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Martin Crușeveanu to maneuver through the defense. Martin Crușeveanu sent away a hard shot on goal in the 4th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Isac Hojbota took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cassius Byrne, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. USA were awarded a corner in the 9th minute after FC Politehnica Timisoara's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Cassius Byrne took the corner. When FC Politehnica Timisoara's Vali Maghiar in the 15th minute got a chance for a shot 15th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye USA's goalie prevented a goal. With an all-out effort, FC Politehnica Timisoara's Marco Day threw himself towards the right post 16 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Vali Maghiar, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. FC Politehnica Timisoara's Isac Hojbota played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Monty Rogers in the 28th minute of play. In the 31st minute, Zach Harrison hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Isac Hojbota took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cassius Byrne, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Thanks to some nice moves Olimpiu Rizea could shoot a difficult shot in the 35th minute, which Marco Day however easily saved by the left post. FC Politehnica Timisoara's Isac Hojbota played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Edward Mcdonald in the 38th minute of play. Monty Rogers scored 0-1 in the 41st match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Isac Hojbota, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. USA's Marco Day proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 46th minute of the match, managed to save USA from getting a goal against them. Isac Hojbota showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Cassius Byrne in the 47th minute of the match. The FC Politehnica Timisoara players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. USA were winning 0-1.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Cassius Byrne to strike the kick off in the second half. In the 61st minute Ernest Manea shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marco Day saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 67th match minute, FC Politehnica Timisoara was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Olimpiu Rizea to maneuver through the defense. FC Politehnica Timisoara's Yosua Helguera was substituted for Håvard Bjørke. After a rather tough play, FC Politehnica Timisoara's Olimpiu Rizea got a free kick in the 68th minute. In the 70th minute, Olimpiu Rizea ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Marco Day was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-1. Sam Campbell kicked well hit freekick during the 80th minute of the match. After 81 played minutes USA got a freekick which was hit by Sam Campbell. USA's Marco Baker got a good chance for a goal in the 87th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Alin Moșanu tried in the game's 92nd match minute to clear up in front of his own goal but it went so bad that he put the ball into the goal to the left of an unhappy Isac Hojbota. An annoying self made goal, 1-2. If Sam Campbell had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 94th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The FC Politehnica Timisoara fans had already started to leave before the final whistle blew. USA were clearly better and deserved to take the win.