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Wolyniec, 2003
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Ten Best: Metro vs Crew
November 18, 2008
Yep... it's MLS Cup, Metro vs Crew. Who would have thunk it? Of course, with New York and Columbus being in the same conference for the vast majority of MLS's 13 seasons, the two have had their share of memorable games. So here are the ten best... from Metro's point of view, of course.
10) April 3, 2004: Columbus 1, MetroStars 3
Metro open the 2004 season in grand fashion. After allowing the early goal, they dominate, with goals from Mike Magee (a header!), John Wolyniec, and Amado Guevara. The game would set the tone for the first part of the 2004 season... Only the first part, sadly.
9) September 16, 2006: New York 1, Columbus 0
Tied game, late in the season, Metro desperately needing points for a playoff push. Enter 16-year-old Jozy Altidore. Bang! Jozy blasts home a long shot heard around MLS. Metro wins and ends up making the playoffs.
8) August 9, 2000: Columbus 1, MetroStars 1 (6:7 PKs)
In the 2000 Open Cup, Metro faced the Crew in the quarterfinals. Tab Ramos opened the scoring in the second half, but Columbus answered. What followed was the only (so far) penalty kick shootout in Metro history. Both teams converted their first four attempts, then Ramos' shot was saved... but then Tim Howard saved one himself to keep Metro in it. Finally, in the 8th frame, Mike Petke scored, and Mike Lapper missed wide right to put Metro in the semifinal.
7) May 28, 2005: Columbus 0, MetroStars 3
Youri Djorkaeff started to play well right off the bat, but it took him a few games to get his first Metro goal. When it happened, it came on a gorgeous shot from outside the box into the upper left corner. Eddie Gaven, who will lineup against Metro in MLS Cup, and Abbe Ibrahim helped pour it on. It was Ibrahim's first Metro goal.
6) May 19, 2007: New York 4, Columbus 0
Speaking of first Metro goals, the third one of this match was Juan Pablo Angel's first league tally, and Sal Caccavale made history by playing his only two MLS minutes and managing to score a goal in that time. Wolyniec opened the scoring and Clint Mathis added one on his quest for 45 in what proved to be the biggest romp of the 2007 season.
5) September 18, 1996: MetroStars 1, Columbus 0
Metro's first playoff clinch came in the penultimate game of the inaugural regular season, and it came at the hands of the Crew. In the 38th minute, Antony De Avila ran onto a ball, and raced through the penalty area, slotting it past Brad Friedel.
4) August 6, 2003: Columbus 3, MetroStars 4
Raise your hand if you remember that match. Yeah... we thought so. But on Metro's ride to the 2003 Open Cup final, they defeated three MLS teams, the first being the Crew in the Round of 16. Down two early, Metro got an own goal from Brian Maisonneuve. Maisonneuve then made it 3:1, but Metro roared back, first through Steve Jolley, and then with Eddie Pope tying it in the 77th and winning it in the 86th, heading a Guevara cross. The pair were Pope's only goals for Metro.
3) October 18, 2008: New York 3, Columbus 1
Of course, everyone remembers this match. Desperately needing a win with two games left in the regular season, and playing without suspended starters Jon Conway and Jeff Parke, Metro got two from Angel, and then a miraculous goal from goalkeeper Danny Cepero, on his debut, nonetheless.
2) June 30, 1996: Columbus 0, MetroStars 4
Still the biggest road win in Metro history had a little of everything: a Nicola Caricola goal on a long blast (and this time, into the correct net), a Tony Meola penalty save, and a late goal from Chris Unger, who previously worked in the Metro front office. Giovanni Savarese and Ramos had the other Metro goals.
1) September 20, 2003: MetroStars 1, Columbus 0
A scoreless tie nine minutes into overtime. Three points are necessary for the playoff push. A Guevara free kick in the from behind the halfway line. A perfect pass that ends on the foot of Wolyniec and gets one-timed into the upper right corner of the net. Victory. Pandemonium. One of the greatest goals. Ever.
But will we see an even greater one this Sunday?
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