Challenge

NEM CT Stadium
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) In the 4th minute, Oscar Nordmark fired away a killer shot towards the goal that, to the delight of Marco Day, passed just outside the right post. Jeremy Nicholas made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Monty Rogers in the 7th minute of play. Edgardo Silva 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. Marco Day showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Edgardo Silva, who was totally free with the ball in the 8th minute. 9 minutes into the match, USA's goal looked a bit too open when Edgardo Silva came free, but Marco Day reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a rather tough play, New England Minas's Tony Pacheco got a free kick in the 12th minute. In the 12th minute, Roman Major hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 13 minutes into the match, New England Minas's goal looked a bit too open when Cassius Byrne came free, but Jeremy Nicholas reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The audience was convinced that Edgardo Silva's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Marco Day was relentless in the 21st minute of the game. The USA fans' excitement grew in the 22nd match minute when USA's Cassius Byrne looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 0-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. 25 minutes into the match, New England Minas's goal looked a bit too open when Monty Rogers came free, but Jeremy Nicholas reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Jeremy Nicholas showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Edward Mcdonald, who was totally free with the ball in the 30th minute. Marco Day took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Edgardo Silva, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cassius Byrne in the 33rd minute of play forced New England Minas's goalkeeper Jeremy Nicholas to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 33 minutes into the match, New England Minas's goal looked a bit too open when Cassius Byrne came free, but Jeremy Nicholas reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 40 minutes into the match, Edgardo Silva had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Marco Day. USA's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Edgardo Silva was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-1. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

In the 52nd minute of the match, Jacob May got a very nice opportunity to score, but Jeremy Nicholas was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. In the 53rdth minute of the game Jacob May who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but New England Minas's Jeremy Nicholas was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. After having played for 55 minutes, Cassius Byrne managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. USA's supporters crossed their fingers, but Cassius Byrne was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. New England Minas's Xiao Bang Kun was substituted for Jörgen Frohm. Marco Day showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Edgardo Silva in the 59th minute of the match. New England Minas's Jeremy Nicholas 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. If Monty Rogers had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 63rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a little luck, New England Minas's Jeremy Nicholas got control of the ball when Cassius Byrne tried to sneak it across the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Cassius Byrne in the 68th minute of play forced New England Minas's goalkeeper Jeremy Nicholas to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The audience was convinced that Edgardo Silva's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Marco Day was relentless in the 69th minute of the game. After a defensive mix-up in USA's zone, Edgardo Silva stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Marco Day came out of the goal and Edgardo Silva tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. USA made a substitution. Khalid Parry replaced Monty Rogers. USA's Marco Baker was substituted for Edward Mcdonald. Jeremy Nicholas showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Sam Campbell, who was totally free with the ball in the 82nd minute. In the 84th match minute, USA was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Diego Bradley to maneuver through the defense. 86 minutes into the match, New England Minas's goal looked a bit too open when Khalid Parry came free, but Jeremy Nicholas reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 87 played minutes New England Minas got a freekick which was hit by Emmitt Benson. Jenson Smith was probably a little too eager to shoot when he, in the 88th played minute, shot the ball from way out. The shot was hard, but the ball flew wide of the goal. Diego Bradley got a throw-in 92 minutes in the game and the ball was received by Jenson Smith. 95 minutes into the game, USA's Sam Campbell nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Jeremy Nicholas made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-2. USA played a much better game than New England Minas and deserved their victory. The New England Minas players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.