2:1 Kansas City MetroStars Arnaud Wolff Magee 06.07.03 · League

If it was Tim Howard's last game as a Metro, it was not the best way to go out. The MetroStars lost their first match since the season opener, 2:1 at Kansas City. Howard, whose transfer to Manchester United seems imminent, played well, making a number of amazing saves to preserve the margin, but allowed two goals for the first time all season.

The MetroStars made three changes from last week; Jose Galvan took Mark Lisi's spot, Kenny Arena started his first game of the year in place of the injured Eddie Pope, and Tim Regan was a late replacement for Joey DiGiamarino. The Wizards tried to utilize that change, with most of their attack coming on Regan's left side. The first goal of the game came in the 11th minute as Regan failed to pull up and challenge Davy Arnaud, whose long range blast found the roof of the net after Howard had come out to make up for his defenders.

Metros tied the game just six minutes later, as Mike Magee scored his third goal of the season. Clint Mathis won the ball deep in the Kansas City end and found Richie Williams, who crossed the ball to the completely unmarked Magee, who calmly put it past Tony Meola.

Kansas City regained the lead in the 28th, as Igor Simutenkov's pass found Josh Wolff in the Metro box despite a crowd of Metro defenders around him, the shot beating Tim Howard on the short side.

The MetroStars could not produce much on the ball in the second half, with very limited service from the midfield. The best chance to tie the game came in the 88th minute, as Amado Guevara found Mathis with a long pass. Mathis had Meola beat on the short side, but the ball hit the goalpost.

The streak had to end sometime, but how will the Pope-less, Mathis-less and Howard-less Metros survive through the next month -- and more?

Lineup: Howard, Regan, Jolley, Arena, Ziadie, Clark, Williams, Galvan, Guevara, Magee, Mathis. Subs: Lisi.