It's over, as Metros fail to escape from LA
September 29, 2001
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4:2
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| Los Angeles |
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MetroStars |
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Victorine 2
Frye
Cienfuegos
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Villegas 2
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Coming into Los Angeles needing only a draw to advance, the MetroStars played for one early on -- and came out on the wrong end, losing to the Galaxy in regulation, 3:2. Then, they allowed a goal off a free kick eight minutes into overtime to lose the series.
Los Angeles took advantage of the Metros' complacency two times in the first half, as Sasha Victorine put two past Tim Howard. The Galaxy completely dominated the period, with the limited number of Metro forays being easily thwarted by the LA defense.
However, the second half looked like a completely different game. Needing two goals for the all-important tie, the Metros started to attack, and four minutes into the half Petter Villegas netted the first after a good combination from Rodrigo Faria an Adolfo Valencia. Unfortunately, LA's two-goal lead was soon restored as Adam Frye knocked one in off a corner kick.
In the 61st minute, Villegas added his second of the game, after some fine work by Mark Chung on the left wing. And it seemed like the Metros got the break they needed when Danny Califf was ejected in the 71st minute. But it was not to be, as the Galaxy cleared a ball off the line, ending regulation with the win.
One would think that playing a man up would give a team an advantage; however, any such advantage was negated when Billy Walsh entered the game. Giving the assignment to defend Cobi Jones in overtime, Billy was beaten like a rented mule time after time, as Cobi was given complete range on the right wing once and again. Then, eight minutes into OT, Jones was brought down (read: dove) just outside the Metro penalty box. The Mauricio Cienfuegos free kick deflected off Chung in the Metro wall, sailed into the net, and ended the Metro season.
One cannot fail to mention the lack of support from Galaxy fans, with the announced attendance of 6,000 looking like half that number.
Lineup: Howard, Perez, Jolley, Petke, Williams, Hernandez, Chung, Villegas, Paule, Valencia, Faria. Subs: Semioli, Gilmar, Walsh.
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