Metros get disappointing tie with Rapids, 1:1
July 16, 2005
For the first time all year, the MetroStars scored exactly one goal in a game. But unfortunately, Colorado scored the same number, as the game ended tied, the Metros losing two precious points in the East race. Ante Razov scored for the Metros, but the team blew numerous chances to extend the lead and then to take it after the Rapids came back to tie it.
The Metros made the following changes from last week's lineup: Jeff Agoos moved from the middle to the left for Tim Regan with Carlos Mendes assuming the central spot, and Youri Djorkaeff came in for Sergio Galvan Rey. And Djorkaeff almost scored off a corner kick just three minutes into the game, but his shot went off the post. The Metros held the run of play for most of the half, but could not muster anything, as Joe Cannon made a number of easy saves.
The second half was completely different. And six minutes into it, an Amado Guevara pass was deflected by a Rapids defender and onto Razov's path. The Metro striker hammered the shot from just outside the box straight at Cannon, who couldn't hold at as the ball went off the Colorado goalie and into the net. And five minutes later, a giveaway by ex-Metro Mike Petke gave Razov a breakaway, but he misfired, shooting high by a wide margin.
Colorado had two good chances in the whole game, and scored on one of them in the 60th minute, as a perfect long pass was sent into the box to Jeff Cunningham. Mendes had a terrific day marking the Rapids' striker, but this time, it was Agoos on the play, and Cunningham got the ball and easily put it in to tie the game; Zach Wells could have done better on the play as well, as he was right in front of the ball. A few minutes later the Rapids almost got the lead as Wells was caught chasing the ball, but could not convert into the empty net.
And then the Metros' chances; did they have chances. Galvan Rey, who came in for Djorkaeff at the break, alone had four of five great opportunities to score, but nothing came out of any of them. Come on, Sergio, you're not as bas as last year, but you must do better then that. The Metros almost got the lead in injury time off a corner kick, but a Jeff Parke shot was saved by Petke off the line after a mad goalmouth rush.
Also late in the game, Guevara was kicked by the Rapids' Ricky Lewis and was limping through the last minutes of the match. Not good.
Lineup: Wells, Agoos, Parke, Mendes, Leitch, Bradley, Lisi, Guevara, Gaven, Djorkaeff, Razov. Subs: Galvan Rey, Ibrahim, Magee.
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