1:2 MetroStars New England Jolley Noonan 2 09.13.03 · League

The MetroStars played a horrible first half and referee Abbey Okulaja made sure they couldn't recover in the second as they lost to New England, 2:1. Steve Jolley scored the lone Metro goal, but that was not enough.

With Mark Lisi out due to family commitments, Eddie Gaven started in the midfield and played an invisible 90 minutes. Pat Noonan opened the scoring for the Revs in the 11th minute, running around Craig Ziadie to beat Jonny Walker. New England had all of the run of play in the first half, with hardly a chance going the Metros way.

But as it often was this season, the Metros came out a different team in the second half. Unfortunately, this time they were playing against twelve, as Okulaja clearly wore Revolution colors. First, he did not call a clear hand ball in the New England penalty area. Then, with Eddie Pope being knocked down next to the Revs net, no foul was called, and with play allowed to continue, Noonan hit a long shot past a frozen Walker to give the Revs a two-goal lead.

Jolley knocked in a Mike Magee corner kick that was first touched by Pope to bring the Metros within one in the 81st minute. But Okulaja once again did not call a handball in the box, and Clint Mathis misfired a one-timer from close range as this time a comeback was not to be.

We at MetroFanatic don't usually bash referees not named Brian Hall, but Mr. Okulaja's performance was horrendous. Perhaps he should try going back to doing high school games, because a professional referee he is not.

Lineup: Walker, DiGiamarino, Pope, Jolley, Ziadie, Clark, Williams, Gaven, Guevara, Wolyniec, Mathis. Subs: Magee, LeBlanc, Leitch.