Challenge

RFK Stadium
Spectators: 49 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Cassius Byrne made the kick off which started today's match. The audience thought a goal was coming when Cassius Byrne got free with Avram Popoiu in the 8th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 9th minute of the match USA got a corner. Deportivo Damasco F.C.'s goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Cassius Byrne ran over to the corner to take the kick. Cassius Byrne made a great header on USA's corner, it was just that Deportivo Damasco F.C.'s Avram Popoiu managed to reach the ball for a save. 13 minutes into the match, Deportivo Damasco F.C.'s goal looked a bit too open when Monty Rogers came free, but Avram Popoiu reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 15 minutes into the game, USA's Monty Rogers nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Avram Popoiu made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-0. Through an outstanding action, after 18 minutes, Avram Popoiu successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. 19 minutes into the game, Diego Bradley threw the ball into play from the sideline. Deportivo Damasco F.C.'s Sten Paulin quickly snatched the ball and retained possesion. Marco Day made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Vladimir Couto in the 22nd minute of play. 24 minutes had been played when some careless play by USA's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Guillem Bugedo was slow to take the kick. During this time Deportivo Damasco F.C.'s players had a chance to rest. The corner led to Deportivo Damasco F.C.'s Vladimir Couto getting away a dangerous shot that went just outside the goal. Avram Popoiu showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Monty Rogers, who was totally free with the ball in the 26th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Monty Rogers in the 32nd minute of play forced Deportivo Damasco F.C.'s goalkeeper Avram Popoiu to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 37th minute, Cassius Byrne made a precise shot to the right of Avram Popoiu. Deportivo Damasco F.C.'s defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-0. 46 minutes into the match, Deportivo Damasco F.C.'s goal looked a bit too open when Monty Rogers came free, but Avram Popoiu reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-0 at half-time.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Roman Corte to strike the kick off in the second half. Vladimir Couto sent away a hard shot on goal in the 55th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Roman Corte might have been able to make a better finish in the 58th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Marco Day. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Roman Corte ran back to his position shaking his head. Deportivo Damasco F.C.'s Guilherme Sarandeses was substituted for Montxo Cabero. Deportivo Damasco F.C.'s Tiadoro Cores was substituted for Guaberto Ramone. A sloppy throw-in by Jacob May in the 64th minute of the game went astray and was snapped up by Deportivo Damasco F.C.'s Guillem Bugedo. Avram Popoiu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cassius Byrne in the 71st minute of play. In the 76th minute Tiadoro Cores 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 76th minute, Edward Mcdonald hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. USA's Marco Baker was substituted for Edward Mcdonald. USA's Khalid Parry was substituted for Monty Rogers. Vladimir Couto received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 79th minute. Marco Day tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Marco Day made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Tiadoro Cores in the 83rd minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Khalid Parry in the 84th minute of play forced Deportivo Damasco F.C.'s goalkeeper Avram Popoiu to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Roman Corte could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 85th minute of the match, but Marco Day made a huge save. After some careless play in the Deportivo Damasco F.C. defense, Sam Campbell kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Avram Popoiu. The Deportivo Damasco F.C. fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Avram Popoiu should have stopped the shot. When USA's Sam Campbell in the 95th minute got a chance for a shot 95th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Deportivo Damasco F.C.'s goalie prevented a goal. After some fancy dribbling in the 97th minute, Roman Corte managed to get in a good position for a shot. Deportivo Damasco F.C.'s supporters rose to their feet, but Roman Corte was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Marco Day breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. There was no doubt that USA were the better team. USA's players enjoyed the ovations of the crowd after the victory.