Preseason battle of teams in flux goes to Houston, 1:0
March 4, 2006 (Official Game Summary)
The MetroStars' preseason record in Carson, California, fell to 1-1-0 today, as they fell to Houston at a Home Depot Center practice field, by a score 1-0. The lone goal of the match was scored by Julian Nash in the 78th minute.
The first half brought a flurry of back and forth action with both sides getting some good opportunities. The first scoring opportunity of the match came in the 10th minute, when Ronald Cerritos broke free down the right side of the field and fired a shot that MetroStars goalkeeper Tony Meola was able to punch away.
The MetroStars responded with a chance of their own in the 26th minute, when midfielder Mark Lisi crossed a nice ball from the left side of the field to the far post. Chris Henderson ran onto the ball nicely and fired a shot that Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstand was able to make a great reflex save on and deflect high over the crossbar. Henderson continued to drive the MetroStars offense with his attacking in the first half, as he provided two more scoring opportunities.
The first of these chances was set up by the creativity of Youri Djorkaeff, who played a nice ball over the top of the Houston defense to MetroStars international trialist, Sergio Silva. Silva collected the ball on the right side, and played it back to an oncoming Henderson, who blasted a ball just wide of goal.
Just before the half concluded, Henderson set up another chance for the Metros in the 44th minute. This time the midfielder sent a great cross from the left side that beat the Houston defense. Silva tried to back-heel the ball into the net, but it hit the post and was cleared out of danger, leaving the score at 0-0 at the break.
The second half provided far fewer scoring opportunities than the first, although the MetroStars best scoring opportunity of the day came in the 52nd minute when Eddie Gaven played a great ball from the right side to the far post. The ball found an on-rushing Henderson, who hammered a high shot that again Onstad was able to deflect just over the bar.
Finally in the 78th minute, Nash was able to score the game's lone goal. It was set up when Marcus Storey played a ball from the right side to Stewart Holden who slid it over the Nash. Nash collected the pass just outside the six yard box on the left side, settled it with one touch, and then fired a low shot that beat Meola.
Despite the MetroStars' attempts, they were not able to get the equalizer and the game ended 1-0.
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