1:1 Salt Lake New York Kreis Guevara 04.15.06 · League

Three games, three uninspired ties; the optimist in us will say that at least they were not losses; the pessimist will look at this last result, a 1:1 draw at pathetic Salt Lake, and wonder what Metro needs to do to turn it around. A lifeless offense, an invisible overseas signing, giving up late goals to lose points... We keep saying it; the name has changed, but it's still same old Metro.

That invisible overseas signing, Peter Canero, made his first start as a Red, on a right wing in place of Seth Stammler; the rest of the starting eleven remained the same. But although he started, one would be hard pressed to point out anything useful actions from Canero on this evening; brought up to strengthen flank play, the only crosses and runs we saw from him were the cross-eyed looks as he watched the action run by him.

But enough Canero bashing, as the entire offense was lifeless. The defense, on the other hand, held strong for almost the entire game; Jeff Parke playing well again and Tony Meola a rock in goal, denying shot after shot. Real had many excellent chances, including a breakaway from Andy Williams that Meola stopped, getting all ball, when a foul looked inevitable. The one ball that did get past him saw Taylor Graham and Marvell Wynne collide to try to clear it off the line; thankfully, they did, with no harm done.

And as pathetic as they were, Metro almost got a win, as in the 77th minute, Amado Guevara held the ball for what seemed like an eternity, just outside Salt Lake's penalty area. As the Real players failed to do anything about it, Amado sent in a perfect pass to Edson Buddle, in the box, whose shot ricocheted of Scott Garlick, but Guevara was right there to pick up the spoils for his first goal of the year.

But if you are a Metro fan, you know the drill by this point. In the 89th minute, Carlos Mendes fouled Chris Klein at the endline, and what amounted to a short corner kick found a soaring Jason Kreis to knot the game. Extra time saw a terrific chance off a Buddle cross by Thiago Martins, making his Reds debut as a sub, but the weak shot for parried and caught by Garlick. And then on the other end, Meola did well to deny Klein on a breakaway to preserve the point.

Same old, same old...

Lineup: Meola, Mendes, Graham, Parke, Wynne, O'Rourke, Henderson, Canero, Guevara, Djorkaeff, Buddle. Subs: Stammler, Martins.