Metros wake up from coma, shutout San Jose 2:0
July 10, 2004
Do you remember the last time the Metros beat San Jose at home? The year was 1998, and current Quake GM Alexi Lalas scored a last-minute goal to beat the then-Clash 4:3. It took the Metros six years and their biggest swoon of the year to finally win against this team, and they did it today, shutting out San Jose 2:0. John Wolyniec scored the game-winner for the Metros and Amado Guevara added a stoppage-time penalty kick.
With the two Eddies gone with the US National Team, Kenny Arena filled in for Pope in the defense and Mike Magee started in the midfield for the first time for Gaven. Craig Ziadie came back to the right back position and up front, Wolyniec started for the first time in three games.
San Jose had the best chance of the first half, when Jamil Walker hit the ball off the left Metro goalpost. Him namesake, Jonny Walker, had a much better game than last week (although it's pretty hard to be worse), and had a good clear-out on a scramble late in the 77th minute to preserve the Metro lead, when a goal looked certain.
The Metros had two opportunities to score late in the first half, first on a long shot by Guevara that just went over the bar and then on a Wolyniec redirect that also went high. But in the second half, it was Wolyniec's time to play hero once again. In the 63rd minute, after Guevara was knocked down but the advantage was called, Ziadie won the ball, and, with his shirt was being pulled by a San Jose player, sent a perfect pass into the box to Woly, who blasted the ball past the vastly overrated Pat Onstad. The goal would stand until the end.
Magee, who had a very good game, was brought down in the penalty box in second half injury time, and referee Kevin Terry, who pissed a clear penalty call on a handball early in the period, did no wrong this time, pointing to the spot. Guevara converted for his sixth goal on the year to seal the win.
With a home-and-home against Chicago coming up, to say this was a much needed win is an understatement.
Lineup: Walker, Leitch, Arena, Parke, Ziadie, Clark, Magee, Vaca, Guevara, Galvan Rey, Wolyniec. Subs: Brenes, Glen.
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