Buddle's four terrorize defenseless Metros
September 18, 2004
In the battle for the top spot of the Eastern Conference, the Metros came up short. Failing to hold the lead twice and allowing Columbus' Edson Buddle to score four goals, they lost 4:2, putting any hopes of a regular season Conference title on a back burner.
Amado Guevara's return to the lineup for the suspended Ricardo Clark was the only change from last week's big win. However, late in the first half, Tenywa Bonseu had to leave after aggregating an injury, Craig Ziadie coming in for his first action in weeks.
The Crew almost scored within the opening minutes, but were met with a big save by Jonny Walker. And it was the Metros who got on the board early; in the sixth minute, Mike Magee sent a ball into the box to Fabian Taylor; the Jamaican couldn't handle it and it fell to John Wolyniec at the top of the penalty area. Wolyniec hit a slow bouncer that fooled Jon Busch and game the Metros the lead. It was his eighth goal of a year.
But that lead only lasted three minutes; Buddle beat the Metro offside trap, tying the game. Columbus started to control possession from that point on, stringing a bunch of passes together while the Metros failed to generate many attacks. A huge save by Walker's hand and the good play of Metro defense kept the game tied and the half.
The beginning of the second half saw the repeat of the first as the Metros quickly grabbed the lead only to see it slip right away. In the 49th minute, Wolyniec fought hard to win a free kick, and Eddie Gaven subtlety redirected a Guevara set ball into the Columbus net. But the lead once again only lasted three minutes, as Buddle got his second with a header past Walker.
With the game tied, Crew's insertion of Jeff Cunningham changed the flow completely. He found Buddle twice, first in the 65th and then in the 74th, with the ex-Rough-Rider putting Columbus ahead and then sealing the victory.
With only four regular season games left, the Metros better shape up or they will kiss another playoff attempt goodbye.
Lineup: Walker, Leitch, Pope, Parke, Bonseu, Brenes, Guevara, Magee, Gaven, Taylor, Wolyniec. Subs: Ziadie, Glen, Galvan Rey.
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