Metros kick road woes with win in DC, 2:1
August 15, 2001 (Official Game Summary)
First-half goals from Rodrigo Faria and Mark Chung, as well as some outstanding goalkeeping by Tim Howard, powered the MetroStars to a 2-1 victory over DC United on Wednesday night before 11,618 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
Petter Villegas added two assists for the MetroStars (11-8-3, 36 points), who stayed even with Columbus (10-5-6, 36 points) in fifth place in the eight-team MLS Playoff race. Columbus beat Dallas Wednesday night, 3-0. DC United, which had an 11-2 advantage in shots on goal, dropped to 6-14-2 (20 points).
Faria got the MetroStars on top early. In the 10th minute, newly-acquired midfielder Ross Paule picked up a loose ball in the midfield circle, and sent a long, well-threaded leading pass down the right wing to an onrushing Villegas, who dribbled into the penalty area toward the end line, cut back quickly past Bryan Kamler and slid a perfect centering pass into the middle. Faria was there to slam the ball into the top of the net past goalkeeper Mike Ammann.
Chung, who lined up at forward to start the game rather than at his customary left midfield spot, increased the margin to 2-0 in the 41st minute. Faria took a pass from Villegas at the right side of the midfield stripe and chipped a long lead ball to an unmarked Chung on the left wing. Chung streaked in towards goal, cut the ball back towards the six-yard line past Scott Vermillion and beat Ammann with a low shot just inside the near post.
DC United continually tried to knock on the door, but, thanks in very large part to Howard, weren't able to get on the board. Mark Lisi eventually rammed in an unassisted goal in the 82nd minute to cut the lead to 2-1, but Howard made the lead, and the win, stand up.
The 22-year-old keeper made nine saves on the night, including spectacular kick saves on two point blank opportunities -- one from Santino Quaranta in the first half and another on Craig Ziadie in the second half. Howard also managed to parry away a 30-yard rocket by Carey Talley in the 82nd minute, just prior to Lisi's goal, to preserve the win.
Lineup: Howard, Perez, Hernandez, Jolley, Semioli, Williams, Villegas, Chung, Ramos, Paule, Faria. Subs: Alvarez, Walsh, Beskovic.
|
