MATCH REPORT | Farewell to the USA with two victories (3-4)
Real Betis Balompié closed their tour by the United States of America with a match against Chattanooga FC. After the victory on Wednesday over DC United, the Green and Whites wanted to win the second and last game before returning to Seville.
Things did not begin well for the Green and Whites in Tennessee. Ten minutes after the kick off, the home side took the lead through Costa. The locals had already given a warning a couple of minutes earlier with an effort that went just wide. Betis were controlling the ball but the best chances were for Chattanooga so far. However, the good defending displayed by Betis blocked their attempts and the Spanish team started to impose their game.
As minutes went by, the men managed by Alexis Trujillo began to have more chances. Joaquín got really close to levelling the score up, but his missed. However, the captain delivered a corner kick to the heart of the box before half time. There, Bartra headed the ball back and Sergio León controlled and smashed the ball into the net.
With the second half underway, the pace of the game lowered considerably, but Betis had all the attacking opportunities. The team moved the ball around to open spaces in the rival's defence. In this way, Rodri made a good run in the middle and assisted Jesé, who dribbled a defender and put the ball inside the goal. The third goal came three minutes later with the same protagonists. Rodri provided the assist and Jesé smashed a volley past the keeper.
That wasn't the last time that Academy player Rodri's name was heard through the speakers at Finley Stadium. The young midfielder received a ball inside the area and put the 1-4 in the score.
The locals got back on their feet and managed to score two goals in the final minutes to close the score.
Chattanooga FC: D'Amico, Dunstan, Sanchez, Morillas, Torres, Valenciano, Miyachi, Cole, Hernández, Costa, Wilschery. Also played: Johanning, Alun Webb, Zeca, Oliveira, Lansana, Laidley, Woodfin, Walsh, Yuhaschek, Smarzoch, Bedai, González, Wiedenroth, Strutz, Lemus. Goals: Costa (11'), Alun Webb (84'), Zeca (90').
Real Betis: Joel Robles (Pau López, 45'), Emerson, Bartra (Francis, 45'), Feddal, Sidnei (Abreu, 45'), Tello (Calderón, 45'), Javi García (Rodri, 45'), Kaptoum, Joaquín (Robert, 45'), Sergio León (Jesé, 45'), Loren (Rául, 45'). Goals: Sergio León (45'), Jesé (67' and 70'), Rodri (79').