Shutout streak continues as Metro beats Wizards 1:0
July 22, 2006
Maybe the turnaround came sooner than we expected. The Metros won their third straight game, all three by a shutout, stopping the Kansas City Wizards 1:0 behind a first-half goal from Mike Magee. Jon Conway, making his third consecutive start for the injured Tony Meola, continued to impress, as he became the first Metro keeper to record three consecutive clean sheets after Meola himself did it in June of 1996.
With Jean-Philippe Peguero not available as MLS is negotiating his transfer to Denmark, Magee got the start up top. His place in midfield was taken by Seth Stammler, whose place in turn was taken by Todd Dunivant, making his first Metro start.
The first half was fairly even, with the best Metro early chance coming when Edson Buddle beat the Wizard offside trap and found himself all alone against Bo Oshoniyi. But instead of taking a shot, Buddle took a step, and four Kansas City defenders caught up, the chance going for naught. Fortunately for Metro, soon after the Wiz wasn't so lucky. A play started by Marvell Wynne continued with Stammler hitting a perfect ground pass from the right side of the box onto Magee, who tapped in his third of the year past Oshoniyi. The goal came in the 25th minute, with Wynne getting his first MLS assist on the play.
Early second half started with most play in the Metro end, as the Wizards came dangerously close on a number of chances, most resulted from set plays; Josh Wolff had perhaps their best chance that went just wide. Later, the Red Donkeys started to possess the ball and had a few attacks of their own; once again, the insertion of Jerrod Laventure seemed to energize the attack. However, neither team could finish their chances.
In second half injury time, it was time for Dunivant to play hero, as the newest Metro saved a Ryan Pore shot the line; Conway got a hand on it to slow it down, giving Dunivant a chance to make the play. Who knows; maybe there is some hope in these Red Donkeys after all.
Lineup: Conway, Dunivant, Mendes, Parke, Wynne, O'Rourke, Henderson, Stammler, Guevara, Magee, Buddle. Subs: Laventure, Jolley.
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