Metros lose preseason opener to Salt Lake, 2:1
February 8, 2006 (Official Game Summary)
The MetroStars were defeated 2-1 by Real Salt Lake in their first preseason game of 2006. Midfielder Mark Lisi netted the lone MetroStars goal in the 62nd minute.
"We were a little rusty," said MetroStars head coach Mo Johnston after the loss. "We gave too many balls away and we failed to capitalize on a number of chances. But this is just our first preseason game, there is a long way to go."
Salt Lake scored the game's first goal in the 41st minute after Chris Brown led rookie midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy down the right sideline with a deft through ball. Ballouchy carried the ball to the 18 and sent what appeared to be a cross into the box towards Seth Trembly. Rather than taking a shot, Trembly let the ball go untouched, and it found its way into the net past goalkeeper Tony Meola.
In the second half, a soft foul was called on Carlos Mendes in the box, resulting in a Salt Lake penalty kick. Jamie Watson stepped to the spot and beat Metros netminder Jon Conway to the left side, giving RSL a 2-0 lead in the 48th minute.
The Metros got on the board in the 62nd minute after Jordan Cila sprung Eddie Gaven loose down the left side. Gaven sent a cross into the box that was deflected by RSL 'keeper Jay Nolly. However, Lisi gathered the loose ball at the top of the 18 and fired past Nolly, cutting the Metros' deficit in half, 2-1.
The Metro had two other scoring opportunities in the second half, but neither resulted in a goal. In the 75th minute, Jordan Cila's shot was stopped by a diving Noah Palmer after Cila got behind the RSL defense and in the 86th minute, trialist Piotr Swierczewski sent a beautiful cross into the box from the right side that Gaven headed on net, but the save was made.
Non-roster trialists who played in the match included Carlos Fangueiro, Bjarni Gudjonsson, Elie Ikangu, Adrian Serioux, and Piotr Swierczewski.
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