Challenge

RFK Stadium
Spectators: 47 (Terracing: 36, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 0) Atlético de Caracas's Rolando Alley started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. 12 minutes into the match, Atlético de Caracas's goal looked a bit too open when Monty Rogers came free, but Zarando Calva reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. A nice corner shot did that Cassius Byrne got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Zarando Calva quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. The supporters of USA booed when Atlético de Caracas was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 22 match minutes in a wonderful position. Nazmija Stojković didn't get a good kick on the ball. Zarando Calva made a fantastic save in the 28th minute, when Monty Rogers sent off a good shot on target. Cassius Byrne could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 29th minute of the match, but Zarando Calva made a huge save. In the 31st minute, Edward Mcdonald hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Marco Day took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tom Wassenius, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 40th minute, Cassius Byrne ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Zarando Calva was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-0. Zarando Calva made an important save on a dangerous shot by Cassius Byrne in the 43rd minute. Marco Day took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nazmija Stojković, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

Atlético de Caracas's Zarando Calva played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cassius Byrne in the 52nd minute of play. Tom Wassenius came free with the goalkeeper in the 53rd minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Marco Day could save by the left post. Zarando Calva 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 55th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cassius Byrne in the 55th minute of play forced Atlético de Caracas's goalkeeper Zarando Calva to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The crowd rose to their feet as Aires Laguno kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Marco Day. That made the score 1-1 in the 57 minute of play. Fabian Brown hit a great freekick 62 minutes into the match. In the 64th minute of the match Atlético de Caracas got a corner. USA's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Gabirel Caceo ran over to the corner to take the kick. Atlético de Caracas's Gabirel Caceo was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Marco Day in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. In the 70th minute, Rolando Alley 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. USA's Sam Campbell was substituted for Cassius Byrne. When Atlético de Caracas's Rolando Alley in the 72nd minute got a chance for a shot 72nd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye USA's goalie prevented a goal. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Sam Campbell in the 76th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Zarando Calva saved Atlético de Caracas from getting behind. Monty Rogers sent away a hard shot on goal in the 77th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The audience thought a goal was coming when Tom Wassenius got free with Marco Day in the 81st minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Tom Wassenius sent away a hard shot on goal in the 85th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Atlético de Caracas's Nuno Santarém was substituted for Rolando Alley. In the 87th minute Aires Laguno 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. Gabirel Caceo hit a great freekick 90 minutes into the match. 92 minutes into the game, Khalid Parry cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 2-1. Zarando Calva was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. USA's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.