All's almost well as Wells gets draw against DC
June 12, 2005
In the first game of the year against hated DC Scum, Metro couldn't put anything on board, but Zach Wells stole the show, playing his best game in his short career. The Metro keeper made 14 saves, one behind Tony Meola's team and league records, to preserve the scoreless draw. The Metros were shutout for the fourth time in seven home games.
Newly acquired Ante Razov made his debut, wearing #99. Banged-up Abbe Ibrahim started the game on the bench, and Youri Djorkaeff also made a return to the starting lineup after recovering from his injury. Carlos Mendes for Jeff Agoos in central defense was the other change.
The Metros started the game quick and had a chance in the first minute, but Mark Lisi's shot went high. From that point on to the end of the first half, it was all DC. The tides turned a bit in the second, and the insertion of Sergio Galvan Rey for Mike Magee, who had a bad game, and Ibrahim for Razov, who did not see enough touches to be effective, seemed to energize the Metros, but the failed to break through the DC defense. Ibrahim shot high on his best chance, and a clever move by Amado Guevara to slice through the Scum did not pay off at the end.
As for DC, they had their chances, but Wells stood up to them. His 14 saves don't include his perfect play to stop Jaime Moreno's breakaway; Zach cut off the angle, forcing the fat striker to chip the ball over the net. Wells was lucky on a couple of shots which went directly at him, but sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. But on this night, Zach was both. He made a number of brilliant reaction saves; his diving stop on an Alecko Eskandarian shot late in the game was probably his best effort.
Jeff Parke, with a newly shaved head, was solid in central defense.
Lineup: Wells, Regan, Parke, Mendes, Leitch, Bradley, Lisi, Guevara, Magee, Djorkaeff, Razov. Subs: Galvan Rey, Ibrahim.
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