Our second match of the nights saw a German team, encouraged by its opening day draw with France, take on a USA team that had shown fantastic improvement last time out, and who desperately needed to turn improved performances in to results, this being their third game of the regular season, and with nothing to show from the first two.
As play developed, we saw a lot of decent possession of the ball from both teams that never really came to anything, either through overplayed through balls, or the solid marshalling of both defences. Soren Johnson keeping the Germans well organized at the back, while Pat Day was playing a captains role for the USA, sweeping up everything that made it through a congested midfield.
Shortly before the break, we saw the first goal. It started with a poor clearance from the USA keeper Larrieux, who was stepping in between the posts for the evening. His clearance out to the left did not clear the half way line and was picked up by the midfielder Rezende, he pushed the ball in to the danger area on the edge of the box where he found Fischer,, who turned, and took some contact on the edge of the box. Undeterred, he found his feet, found a yard of space and slammed the ball past the keeper to give Germany the lead at half time.
(Video Fisher Goal)
The conditions were as bad as we have dealt with in five years of MALON play, Not exactly gale force or torrential, but we have become accustomed to summer football and spoilt by the clear warm evenings, so it was a shock to the system to be freezing cold, in wet conditions that made it feel more like a game in late September rather than late June.
The Second half kicked off with the USA going at their opponents with more purpose. Knowing a win was what was needed, they started creating more chances, Jesse Palmer in particular a live wire, all over the pitch collecting the ball and distributing well.
With 20 minutes to go and after a succession of corners the USA finally broke through, the corner from the left whipped in tight to the near post between Johnson and the USA player looking for the flick. The ball ghosted through the melee and landed at the feet of Justin Teman who slotted home from a yard despite the efforts of the German players on the line.
(Video, Teman Goal)
Re-energized by the goal, but aware of the clock ticking, the USA were the team looking more threatening in the last few minutes, as they sought the goal that would give them their first victory in along while. Some assured defending held them at bay and aside from a few wild strikes at the death, the game ended a tie, probably fair, based on what was on display, and continuing the Germans unbeaten start to the season
KO Pies Man of the Match- Soren Johnson