Challenge

RFK Stadium
Spectators: 47 (Terracing: 36, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 0) USA's Cassius Byrne 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. Marco Day came out of the goal in the 5th minute to try and stop a shot by Ballet Azul's Eulalio Callejas. But to his dismay, Eulalio Callejas quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. An unexpectedly hard shot by Monty Rogers in the 20th minute of play forced Ballet Azul's goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. José Luis Chilavert took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cassius Byrne, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Marco Day showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Eladio Ulloa, who was totally free with the ball in the 25th minute. Eladio Ulloa took the ball and in the 25 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Marco Day. Marco Day dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-2. After a rather tough play, Ballet Azul's Waclaw Dombrowski got a free kick in the 28th minute. Ballet Azul's Santiago Cardenas got a good chance for a goal in the 37th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 40th minute, Cassius Byrne made a precise shot to the right of José Luis Chilavert. Ballet Azul's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-2. After 43 played minutes USA got a freekick which was hit by Diego Bradley. If Eladio Ulloa had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 44th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 45th match minute, Ballet Azul was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Eladio Ulloa to maneuver through the defense. After the first half Ballet Azul were leading 1-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Eulalio Callejas was the one to do the kick off. In the 53rd match minute, Ballet Azul was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Eulalio Callejas to maneuver through the defense. 54 minutes into the match, Ballet Azul's goal looked a bit too open when Cassius Byrne came free, but José Luis Chilavert reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ballet Azul's José Luis Chilavert played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Cassius Byrne in the 55th minute of play. Cassius Byrne took the ball and in the 58 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised José Luis Chilavert. José Luis Chilavert dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 2-2. Zach Harrison received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 68th minute. José Luis Chilavert tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. USA made a substitution. Sam Campbell replaced Cassius Byrne. Eulalio Callejas could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 78th minute of the match, but Marco Day made a huge save. In the 80th match minute, Ballet Azul was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Romeo Passi to maneuver through the defense. USA made a substitution. Marco Baker replaced Edward Mcdonald. In the 81st minute, Romeo Passi hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. An unexpectedly hard shot by Sam Campbell in the 82nd minute of play forced Ballet Azul's goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Odín Enríquez could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 90th minute of the match, but Marco Day made a huge save. USA's Marco Day proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 93rd minute of the match, managed to save USA from getting a goal against them. Jenson Smith struck a weak shot in the 95th minute. José Luis Chilavert didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for USA. USA walked away with a well-earned victory that was much celebrated by the crowd.