Late Guevara PK earns Metros tie in Chicago
July 17, 2004
The 500-pound gorilla didn't grow larger, but it didn't disappear either. Amado Guevara scored a late penalty kick to draw the MetroStars even with Chicago, 1:1. Although the Metros got a key point in the Eastern Conference with the tie, they are still winless against Chicago since June of 2002.
With Eddie Pope and Eddie Gaven back from national team duty, both regained their spot in the starting lineup, Pope's return pushing Kenny Arena to defensive midfield for the first time in his career. With Sergio Galvan Rey not making the trip because of an injury, Cornell Glen got a rare start against a team he had scored a hat-trick earlier this year with Trinidadian club Jabloteh.
The Fire, wearing special puke-yellow jerseys, scored their lone goal in the 13th minute after Damani Ralph took a long Chris Armas lob that beat the Metro offside trap. Pope lunged for the ball, but couldn't get it, leaving Ralph all alone against Jonny Walker. The Metro goalie went for the ball and did not get it, leaving the Fire forward with an empty net and the lead. About ten minutes later, Ralph almost got his second, with a quick turnaround shot from the top of the box that barely missed the Metro net.
The best Metro chance of the foul-filled first half came in the 33rd minute, when Guevara pounced on the turnover, and sent a perfect pass into the box to John Wolyniec. Unfortunately, Henry Ring came out in time and the chance went for naught.
The insertion of Mike Magee and Joselito Vaca in the second half tilted the field in Metro favor. The two substitutes started to find space, and the Metros began to win a number of dangerous free kicks that they failed to convert. Then, in the 84th minute, Guevara was fouled, and his quick restart found the Chicago defense napping, with Wolyniec hitting the ball off CJ Brown's arm. The Metros were finally on the right side of a questionable call (although another possible hand ball was missed just minutes earlier), as the referee pointed to the spot and Guevara converted for the tie.
Right after that, Walker made a point blank save on Ralph to preserve the scoreline. The Metros almost won it in injury time, running circles around Chicago for the last few minutes of the game, with Magee's just-wide shot being the best chance.
Lineup: Walker, Leitch, Pope, Parke, Ziadie, Clark, Arena, Gaven, Guevara, Glen, Wolyniec. Subs: Magee, Vaca.
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