Metros victorious over U-17s, 1:0
February 12, 2006 (Official Game Summary)
The MetroStars kicked off the second annual Tom Fitzgerald Memorial Soccer Festival with a 1-0 victory against the U.S. U-17 national team Sunday afternoon at the University of Tampa's Pepin Stadium. Youri Djorkaeff took care of the scoring inside the first five minutes, pouncing on a failed clearance from U.S. U-17 national team goalkeeper Brian Perk. The California native attempted to clear the danger with his feet, but a strong wind killed the ball in the air and Djorkaeff, a World Cup winner for France in 1998, cheekily chipped the ball into the open net. "We created a lot of chances but we just couldn't finish," MetroStars head coach Mo Johnston said. "Not taking anything away from the young kids here, but it should have been at least five. I was very disappointed in that department." Josmer Altidore, who was drafted by the MetroStars but played the match with the U-17s, nearly bit the hand that now feeds him in the 13th minute. He had a clear chance on a header from close range, but his effort sailed over the crossbar. Midfielder Eddie Gaven nearly found the net for the MetroStars near the 15-minute mark, ripping a nice shot from long distance. However, Perk made the save, though he came up lame with an injured right hand. Brandyn Bumpas came on to replace Perk in the 22nd minute. It didn't take Bumpas long to get involved in the action, saving a Gaven header just two minutes after entering the game. Five minutes before the intermission Mike Magee came within inches of finding the net, but his left-footed curler sailed just over the crossbar. Johnston made wholesale changes after the break, as rookie defender Marvell Wynne and goalkeeper Jon Conway were the only holdovers from the opening half. The game slowed in the early minutes of the second stanza and both sides struggled to create quality scoring chances. With about half an hour to play Metros trialist Piotr Swierczewski almost got his name on the score sheet. Only the crossbar kept the Polish international from giving the Metros a two-goal lead. Altidore had another chance to score on his new teammates in the 77th minute when he went in alone on Conway after a nice through ball. The 6-foot-6 'keeper used every inch of his frame and some good positioning to keep the 16-year-old's attempt at bay. Just two minutes later the Metros should have closed the door on the U-17s. Swierczewski had a golden opportunity to help his case when he found himself wide open with only Bumpas to beat. The goalkeeper wasn't even forced into a save, though, as Swierczewski scuffed his shot wide of the target. The Metros continued to push forward in the closing minutes, but never found the insurance goal. It wouldn't matter in the end, though, as they held on for the 1-0 victory.
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