National cup

National stadium
Spectators: 1028 (Terracing: 772, Seating: 236, VIP seats: 20) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Ermengol Alberete made the kick off which started today's match. Dani Hernández made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Mitchell Godwin in the 3rd minute of play. In the 5th minute the ball was on its way in behind USA's goalkeeper Matthew Benjamin, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Dani Hernández made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Merlin Castro in the 7th minute of play. Vern Pierre made in the 8th minute of the game a fairly good throw-in which was taken care of by Mitchell Godwin. Matthew Benjamin showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Ermengol Alberete, who was totally free with the ball in the 10th minute. In the 12th minute Mitchell Godwin shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dani Hernández saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Lincoln Hand in the 16th minute of play forced Venezuela's goalkeeper Dani Hernández to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 16 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goal looked a bit too open when Lincoln Hand came free, but Dani Hernández reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After some careless play in the Venezuela defense, Merlin Castro kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Dani Hernández. The Venezuela fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Dani Hernández should have stopped the shot. 21 minutes into the match, USA's goal looked a bit too open when Ermengol Alberete came free, but Matthew Benjamin reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Matthew Benjamin made an important save on a dangerous shot by Fernando Arango in the 24th minute. Dani Hernández showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Mitchell Godwin in the 27th minute of the match. Mannuel Ser hit a great freekick 27 minutes into the match. 28 minutes into the match, USA's Lincoln Hand sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Dani Hernández narrowly saved just below the crossbar. In the 33rd minute, Ermengol Alberete ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Matthew Benjamin was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-1. Dani Hernández showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Lincoln Hand, who was totally free with the ball in the 38th minute. USA's Matthew Benjamin played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ermengol Alberete in the 39th minute of play. Venezuela were awarded a corner in the 42th minute after USA's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Marcelo Gay took the corner. A collision led to Venezuela getting a freekick after 43 minutes play. Thomas Edison hit a great ball. 46 minutes into the game, Adalberto Tejeda was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Venezuela's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave USA the free kick. In the 46th match minute, Venezuela was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Adalberto Tejeda to maneuver through the defense. Joseph Reeder received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 47th minute. Dani Hernández tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 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 Merlin Castro to make the kick off. Ermengol Alberete's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Matthew Benjamin read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 54th minute of play. After a defensive mix-up in Venezuela's zone, Joseph Reeder stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Dani Hernández came out of the goal and Joseph Reeder tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. USA's Claudio Marangoni was substituted for Gerald Bradshaw. 60 minutes into the match, USA's goal looked a bit too open when Peruanton Tamayo came free, but Matthew Benjamin reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 61st minute Miki Moco shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dani Hernández saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Matthew Benjamin took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Peruanton Tamayo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. USA's Matthew Benjamin played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Gaxan Barrena in the 66th minute of play. In the 70th minute Peruanton Tamayo shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Matthew Benjamin saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Venezuela made a substitution. Telmo Lillo replaced Marcelo Gay. Venezuela made a substitution. Cordarius Hornilla replaced Mannuel Ser. The corner led Venezuela's Fernando Arango to fire away a dangerous shot which Matthew Benjamin despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. Matthew Benjamin showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Peruanton Tamayo, who was totally free with the ball in the 77th minute. 80 minutes into the match, Venezuela's goalkeeper Dani Hernández had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Kerry Sellers. Dani Hernández made an important save on a dangerous shot by Kerry Sellers in the 80th minute. Claudio Marangoni made in the 82nd minute of the game a sloppy throw-in which Joseph Reeder however managed to control. 90 minutes into the match, USA's goal looked a bit too open when Peruanton Tamayo came free, but Matthew Benjamin reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Venezuela were awarded a corner in the 91th minute after USA's defender lost control of the ball, allowing it to roll out over the line. Fernando Arango took the corner. The corner led Venezuela's Fernando Arango to fire away a dangerous shot which Matthew Benjamin despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Peruanton Tamayo in the 94th minute of play forced USA's goalkeeper Matthew Benjamin to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 96th minute Venezuela were awarded a corner. Fernando Arango went to the cornerflag to take it. A nice corner shot did that Fernando Arango got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Matthew Benjamin quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save.