Challenge

Colosseum
Spectators: 50 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 1) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Cassius Byrne got the match started through his kick off. USA's defense didn't have a chance, in the 8th minute, when Ladislao Harriet scored to the left of an out of position Marco Day, making the score, 1-0. Cassius Byrne sent away a hard shot on goal in the 13th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Uriel Malvin took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Cassius Byrne, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Uriel Malvin stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Cassius Byrne's shot from short distance in the 20th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ladislao Harriet in the 23rd minute of play forced USA's goalkeeper Marco Day to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Ladislao Harriet's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Marco Day read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 24th minute of play. Uriel Malvin 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 32nd minute. Uriel Malvin showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Cassius Byrne in the 33rd minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Monty Rogers in the 36th minute of play forced Empire of Soccer's goalkeeper Uriel Malvin to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 38 minutes into the match, Empire of Soccer's goal looked a bit too open when Monty Rogers came free, but Uriel Malvin reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Pavlos Galanopoulos hit a great freekick 43 minutes into the match. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

The wind increased when Ladislao Harriet made the kick off in the second half. When the match clock showed 55 minutes, the score became 2-0 when Ladislao Harriet sped through USA's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Marco Day. After some careless play in the Empire of Soccer defense, Monty Rogers kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Uriel Malvin. The Empire of Soccer fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Uriel Malvin should have stopped the shot. Cassius Byrne received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 64th minute. Uriel Malvin tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Empire of Soccer's Natalio Blanco was substituted for Wit Beton. Empire of Soccer's Ladislao Harriet got a good chance for a goal in the 69th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Uriel Malvin took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Monty Rogers, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. USA were awarded a corner in the 74th minute after Empire of Soccer's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Monty Rogers took the corner. Empire of Soccer's Xanthos Fikias quite brazenly broke a throw-in by Raphael Moore, made in the 80th minute of the game. Marco Day showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Natalio Blanco in the 87th minute of the match. In the 89th minute Ladislao Harriet 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. Uriel Malvin 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 92nd minute. Teukros Diplarakos fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 95th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Marco Day having to interfere. When the referee blew the final whistle, you could see the dissatisfaction in the USA players' eyes. They were disappointed they hadn't taken more from the game.