Challenge

NEM CT Stadium
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Edgardo Silva made the kick off which started today's match. With his leg Marco Day managed to avoid a goal in the 4thth minute, when New England Minas's Edgardo Silva fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Marco Day showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Tony Pacheco, who was totally free with the ball in the 14th minute. Tony Pacheco succeeded in the game's 14th minute to shoot an unreachable shot under the crossbar and scored - 1-0. In the 19th minute, Cassius Byrne 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. The supporters of New England Minas booed when USA was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 27 match minutes in a wonderful position. Zach Harrison didn't get a good kick on the ball. Marco Day took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tony Pacheco, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Monty Rogers 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. Edgardo Silva sent away a hard shot on goal in the 37th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 39th minute Monty Rogers shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Jeremy Nicholas saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 40 minutes had been played when some careless play by New England Minas's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Cassius Byrne was slow to take the kick. During this time USA's players had a chance to rest. The corner went over the outstretched arms of New England Minas's goalie and right to Jacob May. He fired away a shot at goal, but the shot had too much spin, and it went just outside the goal. New England Minas's manager breathed a sigh of relief on the sidelines as his team had managed to escape an almost certain goal. In the 43rd minute Edward Mcdonald shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Jeremy Nicholas saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Tony Pacheco sent away a hard shot on goal in the 44th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. 48 minutes into the game, USA's Monty Rogers 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, 1-1. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Cassius Byrne to make the kick off. Edgardo Silva hit a great freekick 53 minutes into the match. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Monty Rogers in the 54th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Jeremy Nicholas saved New England Minas from getting behind. Jeremy Nicholas made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Cassius Byrne in the 55th minute of play. Jeremy Nicholas made an important save on a dangerous shot by Cassius Byrne in the 57th minute. In the 58th minute Edgardo Silva 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. An unexpectedly hard shot by Monty Rogers in the 59th minute of play forced New England Minas's goalkeeper Jeremy Nicholas to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 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. Jeremy Nicholas made an important save on a dangerous shot by Cassius Byrne in the 67th minute. A collision led to New England Minas getting a freekick after 82 minutes play. Oscar Nordmark hit a great ball. USA made a substitution. Khalid Parry replaced Monty Rogers. In the 83rd minute, Oscar Nordmark hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Sam Campbell in the 84thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Jeremy Nicholas, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Marco Day showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Tio Lio, who was totally free with the ball in the 87th minute. Jeremy Nicholas made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Marco Baker in the 90th minute of play. Jeremy Nicholas made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Khalid Parry in the 93rd minute of play. In the 95th minute, Glen Conklin hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Jeremy Nicholas made a fantastic save in the 98th minute, when Sam Campbell sent off a good shot on target.