Metros tie Crew 2:2 in Florida closer
March 10, 2003 (Official Game Summary)
The MetroStars and the Columbus Crew played to a 2-2 draw this afternoon in a scrimmage at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida.
The scrimmage was the final one played in Florida as the MetroStars will return to New York/New Jersey tomorrow morning for several days of rest before embarking again this upcoming Friday for two weeks of preseason training in Argentina.
The Crew were on the board in the first minute when midfielder Jeff Matteo fired a blast from 20-yards into the top left hand corner for a quick 1-0 lead.
The MetroStars had an opportunity to quickly tie the game in the 19th minute after defender Daniel Torres brought down striker Tommy Mooney in the box. The penalty kick attempt by Jaime Moreno went wide right.
The MetroStars did tie the game in the 35th minute thanks to quick thinking by defender Eddie Pope. Kieran McAnspie sent a high corner kick to the back post that Steve Jolley brought down and sent back to Jaime Moreno for a hard shot in the box. The shot deflected off a Crew defender, but Pope quickly pounced on the ball for the tying goal.
Rookie Mike Magee almost had the second goal in the latter part of the first half, but his steal and shot of a poorly-timed back pass by Nelson Akwari was saved by goalkeeper Tom Presthus.
The second half brought a string of substitutions by both sides.
Substitute Freddy Garcia put the Crew ahead, 2-1, in the 61st minute after firing an 18-yard shot from the left side of the box past Grafer for the go-ahead score. The Crew almost built a two-goal lead in the 68th minute after Jolley was called for bringing down Edson Buddle in the box, but Paul Grafer stopped the penalty kick attempt by Kyle Martino.
The MetroStars would tie the game in the final moments after a Tim Regan to Jeff Moore passing combination found Derk Droze open for a one-on-one opportunity that beat Presthus for the tying and eventual final score.
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