2:3 Dynamo Kyiv MetroStars Peev Gavrancic Guevara Occean Sablic(OG) 03.01.04 · La Manga

The MetroStars defeated Ukrainian powerhouse FC Dynamo Kyiv in the semifinals of the 2004 La Manga Cup, 3-2, today to advance to the final of the tournament. Dynamo Kyiv's Goran Sablic knocked in an own goal to give the MetroStars the decisive lead and a trip to the final, in the 73rd minute. MLS Cup Champion San Jose Earthquakes face Viking of Norway in the other semifinal on Tuesday, March 2 at 12:00 p.m. local time. The Metro will face the winner of the match in the final on Friday, March 5 at 6:00 p.m. local time.

MetroStars midfielder Eddie Gaven collected a pass in the midfield and quickly raced up field. The 17-year-old sent a lead-pass to Olivier Occean up the left wing and the forward dribbled towards the Kyiv goal, while fending off the challenge of defender Yuri Dmytrylin. Dynamo Kyiv goalkeeper Oleksandr Shovkovskyi rushed out to challenge Occean, but the Southern Connecticut State University product slotted a pass across the front of the goal. Sablic got his foot on the pass to block it, but hit it into his own net to give the Metros the 3-2 advantage.

The MetroStars opened the scoring in the 16th minute, when Honduran midfielder Amado Guevara converted a penalty kick. Kyiv defender Oleksandr Golovko fouled Occean as he dribbled in the box and the referee immediately signaled for the spot kick. Guevara stepped up and placed a right-footed shot past the goalkeeper to put the Metros up 1-0.

In the 31st minute, the Metros took a two-goal lead on the UEFA Champions League squad. Bolivian midfielder Joselito Vaca sent a long ball from the defense up the right side to forward John Wolyniec. The Fordham product raced to the end line, muscled around Dmytrylin and drew the goalkeeper to the near post. The Staten Island native slotted a pass in front of the net finding Occean, who placed a shot into the open net for a 2-0 Metro lead.

Dynamo Kyiv battled back and tied the Metros with two goals in 14 minutes. In the 47th minute, midfielder Valentin Belkevich laid a pass back to an onrushing Georgi Peev. The Bulgarian international fired a shot that hit the top right corner to cut the MetroStars' lead. Belkevich was at it again in the 61st minute, when he sent a corner kick into the box. Defender Goran Gavrancic got free and blasted a 15-yard shot into the top right corner to bring the reigning Ukrainian Premier Division Champions back from the two-goal deficit.

MetroStars midfielder Michael Bradley was sent off in the 75th minute after a tackle from behind and the Metros were reduced to 10 players.