Metros drop last preseason game, 2:0 to Fire
March 25, 2005 (Official Game Summary)
The MetroStars were defeated by the Chicago Fire, 2-0, in a MLS preseason friendly played before a crowd of nearly 6,000 in Ridgeland, Mississippi's Freedom Ridge Park. Chris Rolfe and Jesse Marsch accounted for the Fire's goals and goalkeeper Zach Thornton earned the clean sheet.
Rolfe scored in the 15' minute after Mario Ivan Guerrero made a nice run down the left sideline and crossed it into the box. Rolfe headed the cross into the ground and it bounced past Metros goalkeeper Zach Wells to make it 1-0 in favor of the Fire.
The MetroStars mustered only two scoring opportunities in the first half -- on shots by Amado Guevara and Ramon Bailey -- and had difficulty penetrating Chicago's formidable back four of Leonard Griffin, Jim Curtin, C.J. Brown and Kelly Gray.
The Fire netted the clincher in the 55th minute when Chris Armas' corner found its way into the box and was put on net. Wells made the initial save but Jesse Marsch put home the rebound for Chicago's second goal of the match.
Metros defender Jeff Agoos set up his club's best scoring chance in the 55th minute on a corner kick, but Gilberto's redirection off his right foot was flicked just wide of the net and the MetroStars came away empty.
Midfielder Michael Bradley had a nice run late in the game in the 86th minute after chasing down a solid pass by John Wolyniec. However, the ball was cleared out of danger before Bradley could unload a shot on net.
Despite giving up the two goals, Wells performed well in net and was credited with six saves. In the 23rd minute, he made a brilliant diving stop on Brandon, Mississippi native Justin Mapp, much to the displeasure of the Ridgeland crowd, who enthusiastically pulled for their local hero the entire match.
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