1:1 tie with Crew opens Spring Training tourney
March 15, 2001 (Official Game Summary)
MetroStars defender Daniel Hernandez drilled home an unassisted 25-yard shot into the far left corner in the 89th minute of regulation tonight to help the MetroStars tie the Columbus Crew, 1-1, in the first MLS Spring Training match for both teams at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The win kept the MetroStars unbeaten overall during the 2001 preseason.
The MetroStars, despite dominating play and possession over the entire first half and part of the second, were staring at their first loss of the calendar year in the 87th minute when Crew forward Jeff Cunningham danced through two defenders in the right side of the penalty area, then eluded sliding goalkeeper Paul Grafer to knock in what looked to be the possible game-winner for Columbus.
Just two minutes later, however, Hernandez crept up from his central defender position and rifled in his low liner with less than a minute left in regulation time, sending the game into extra time.
Neither team was able to score in extra time, though Columbus came close in the final minute of the first extra session when midfielder Brian West drilled a point-blank volley from 15 yards out, but MetroStars goalkeeper Paul Grafer was able to make a diving block of the shot and Steve Jolley cleared the rebound out of danger.
The MetroStars had a number of good chances over the course of the game, the best one coming in the 72nd minute. Mark Chung, who created a number of great chances all game, sent a low cross from the left side into the box, where Adolfo Valencia dummied the ball and left a charging Richie Williams all alone for a 10-yard shot toward the lower left corner. But Napoleon made a terrific diving save, smothering the shot just short of the line.
The other best chance the MetroStars had came in added time at the end of the first half. Williams sent a long cross from the right side to the far post, where O'Neil Peart headed the ball across to Alex Comas, whose header was tipped up and trapped on the goal line by keeper Mark Dougherty.
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