Metros still cupless
October 15, 2003
It was not to be. After seven years of mostly futility, the Metros finally made it to their first cup final. But after stuffing Chicago's offense for most of the match, they fell short on Metro killer Damani Ralph's goal, and ended the game the same way they started -- without any silverware.
Andrzej Juskowiak made a surprise start at forward, and Ricardo Clark came back to reclaim his midfield spot. But it was the Metro defense that set the tone early, thwarting Chicago attempt after attempt. Unfortunately, the same can not be said for the offense, as Juskowiak was useless and Clint Mathis and Amado Guevara drifted in and out of the game.
The dagger came in the 68th minute, as Ralph beat Jonny Walker on the short side, silencing the sparse crowd. And that was it. Juskowiak and Mathis left for John Wolyniec and Mike Magee, but the late-game luck had run out. A clear hand ball in the box on a Chicago defender was not seen by the referee, and limited forays into the Fire penalty area were thwarted by their defenders.
This sucks.
Lineup: Walker, Bartolomeu, Pope, Jolley, Leitch, Williams, Clark, Gaven, Guevara, Juskowiak, Mathis. Subs: Wolyniec, Magee, Lisi.
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