Lame Metro doomed by Revs, 2:0
September 20, 2006
This was the game in hand; if Metro won this, they would have been even with New England for third in the East. If they tied it, they would have been even with Kansas City for fourth. But this being Metro, nothing is ever easy; they lost to the Revolution 2:0 and now stare into the last four games with a one-point deficit and any postseason appearance uncertain at best.
Metro stayed with a 3-5-2, but made two changes due to suspensions. Carlos Mendes missed his first game all year, and was replaced by Taylor Graham, who hadn't started a league game since April. Amado Guevara returned, replacing Danny O'Rourke in the middle of the field, at a more withdrawn position than his usual.
The Revs got on the board in the 16th minute, after a quick restart. Although Metro looked to break-up a Rev breakaway that ensued, they failed to clear the ball, as it was pounced on by Steve Ralston, who passed it to Taylor Twellman to give New England the lead.
After the goal, Metro settled down and controlled the play for the rest of the half; their best chance came off a Marvell Wynne rocket that was saved by Rev keeper Matt Reis from the lower right corner. Metro also had numerous corner kicks that went for naught. Late in the period, a rare mistake by Jon Conway had him give the ball away in Metro's penalty area, but thankfully he was not punished and the half ended with his team still down by one.
Markus Schopp made his Metro debut as a half-time sub, becoming the first #32 in club history. Unfortunately for Metro, the half wasn't three minutes old before the Revs struck again. A Rev free kick went off Schopp in the wall, was saved by Conway, but the only one around the rebound was Andy Dorman, who easily made it 2:0.
Other than the unfortunate bounce, Schopp was probably Metro's best player in the second half, taking on players, setting up another sub, Josmer Altidore, after a run through half the field; Altidore shot just wide. The last Metro sub, Blake Camp, almost got scored one in his first meaningful league action, side-volleying a shot off a corner kick that Reis did well enough to save.
The season is anything but over, but this night was an opportunity missed, to say the least.
Lineup: Conway, Stammler, Graham, Parke, Wynne, Henderson, Kovalenko, Guevara, Djorkaeff, Wolyniec, Buddle. Subs: Schopp, Altidore, Camp.
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