League

Gates Stadium
Spectators: 7859 (Terracing: 5900, Seating: 1800, VIP seats: 159) Gates's Douglas DeJesus 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. Marlon Vilter's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Felix Cowan read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 3rd minute of play. After a rather tough play, Knoxville United FC's Nolan Covington got a free kick in the 5th minute. Felix Cowan took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Marlon Vilter, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Thanh Maloney received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 8th minute. Andrei Manciulea tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After a rather tough play, Gates's Freddy Roy got a free kick in the 14th minute. When Knoxville United FC's Son Gaines in the 18th minute got a chance for a shot 18th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Gates's goalie prevented a goal. Andrei Manciulea made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Thanh Maloney in the 19th minute of play. Gates's Freddy Roy suffered a concussion in the 20th minute, after a hard challenge, and had to leave the field. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Son Gaines during the 20th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 21st match minute, Knoxville United FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Son Gaines to maneuver through the defense. In the 26th minute, Marlon Vilter made a precise shot to the right of Felix Cowan. Knoxville United FC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-0. Marlon Vilter kicked well hit freekick during the 28th minute of the match. Andrei Manciulea took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Son Gaines, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Thanh Maloney fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 38th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Andrei Manciulea having to interfere. A collision led to Gates getting a freekick after 41 minutes play. Sherwood Boswell hit a great ball. 43 minutes into the match, Gates's goal looked a bit too open when Thanh Maloney came free, but Andrei Manciulea reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Thanh Maloney made a kick off. Andrei Manciulea made an important save on a dangerous shot by Son Gaines in the 51st minute. In the 55th minute Nolan Covington suffered a thigh injury and had to be helped off the field. When Ramiro Orozco fell near the penalty area in the 55th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Gates's protests and gave Ramiro Orozco a yellow card for diving instead. Ramiro Orozco kicked well hit freekick during the 56th minute of the match. After 57 played minutes Knoxville United FC got a freekick which was hit by Thanh Maloney. Paolo Atarratze's late challenge caught a Knoxville United FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Paolo Atarratze helped the player get up and apologised. After 58 played minutes Gates got a freekick which was hit by Paolo Atarratze. In the 60th minute, Son Gaines made a precise shot to the right of Andrei Manciulea. Gates's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-1. After having played for 63 minutes, Ahmed Evans managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Knoxville United FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Ahmed Evans was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 67th minute, Son Gaines 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. After a rather tough play, Gates's Paolo Atarratze got a free kick in the 70th minute. Gates's Andrei Manciulea proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 73rd minute of the match, managed to save Gates from getting a goal against them. Ramiro Orozco sent away a hard shot on goal in the 78th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Son Gaines received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 83rd minute. Andrei Manciulea tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. With a little luck, Gates's Andrei Manciulea got control of the ball when Ahmed Evans tried to sneak it across the goal line. When Marlon Vilter fell near the penalty area in the 90th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Gates's protests and gave Marlon Vilter a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of Knoxville United FC booed when Gates was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 90 match minutes in a wonderful position. Marlon Vilter didn't get a good kick on the ball. When Paolo Atarratze was, once again, overly rough in his play he received his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. 96 minutes had been played. In a very dangerous position, a player in Gates fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 95th minute. Penalty! The Gates supporters were disappointed that their team didn't take anything from the match, despite matching Knoxville United FC's performance. The match ended with a win for Knoxville United FC.