1:1 New England MetroStars Noonan Guevara 11.09.03 · Playoff

Well, you could see this one coming. Needing a two-goal victory just to force overtime, the MetroStars came up short for yet another year, tying New England 1:1 in the return leg. Pat Noonan's early goal sealed the Metro fate, and a late-game charge proved fruitless, as the MetroStars season was over, trophyless once again.

The ever-changing lineup saw Ricardo Clark move to right back and Chris Leitch play on the left side, with Clint Mathis moving back into midfield to join new starters Richie Williams and Eddie Gaven, behind John Wolyniec and Mike Magee.

A long shot by Noonan (the Rev forward might have brought the ball down with his hand, but it was not caught) in the 21st minute put the Metros in a three-goal hole and all seemed lost. But in first half injury time, Carlos Llamosa pulled down Magee and Amado Guevara converted the penalty kick to tie the game -- but not the aggregate.

Guevara's strike proved to be the only Metro goal of the playoffs, as second half inclusions of Mark Lisi and Mike Nugent provided some spark, but not nearly enough to break through. The season, and probably Mathis' career with the Metros, ended with a whimper, not a bang, but at least we finally have a solid foundation of good young players in place. It's just too bad we have to wait another year... But that's life as a Metro fan.

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