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Wolyniec vs Columbus, 2003
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John Wolyniec's 30 goals
May 19, 2009
The milestone will go for the most part unnoticed, but John Wolyniec's last-minute equalizer against Houston is his 30th goal for Metro in all competitions. It moves him from a tie with Adolfo Valencia and into rarefied company: fifth on the all-time list, trailing only Clint Mathis (45), Giovanni Savarese (44), Juan Pablo Angel (39), and Amado Guevara (39).
The above quartet contains some of the greatest names in Metro history. Few would ever put Wolyniec on that list. That said, who would have thunk it... the man cut after being drafted, the man who has never had a multi-goal game, the man who is now on his fourth stint with the franchise, the man who keeps persevering despite numerous naysayers... 30 goals. Wow.
The first: August 18, 1999 -- MetroStars 2, Columbus 4
After being cut early in the season, Woly comes back as a late-season call-up from the Long Island Rough Riders. Just five minutes into the match, he scores, pouncing on the rebound.
The return: July 12, 2003 -- New England 3, MetroStars 3
Bob Bradley brought Woly back to Metro in 2003 after stints with Chicago, New England, and the A-League. We had to wait half a season for him to breakthrough, but he sure picked the right game for it. With Metro down 3:0 to the Revs in what turned out to be Tim Howard's last game, Woly starts the incredible comeback, blasting a low shot to but Metro on the scoreboard.
The most amazing: September 20, 2003 -- MetroStars 1, Columbus 0
They don't come more incredible than this. Tied with the Crew, nine minutes into overtime, Wolyniec one-times a 50-yard free kick from Amado Guevara, roofing it into the Crew net. The goal was voted on this website the greatest goal in Metro history.
The biggest, so far: October 1, 2003 -- MetroStars 3, DC United 2
With the two teams tied in the Open Cup semifinal, Wolyniec sends the Metros through into the first final in team history, pouncing on a Ricardo Clark shot in the box.
The flyer: May 30, 2004 -- MetroStars 1, Kansas City 0
Wolyniec goes airborne, with his body parallel to the ground, heading in the lone goal of the match past a befuddled Tony Meola.
The playoff clincher: September 25, 2004 -- Dallas 0, MetroStars 2
Wolyniec scores Metro's first goal in what turns out to be a playoff clincher, receiving the cross from Craig Ziadie and fighting off ex-Metro Steve Jolley.
The return, again: August 28, 2006 -- New York 6, Salt Lake 0
After being traded away to Columbus in 2005 and also playing for Los Angeles, Woly comes back to Metro and scores in three straight matches. His first came in the 6:0 record-breaking drubbing of Salt Lake, the last goal of the match. He takes the ball from a defender and punctuates the blowout.
The playoff capper: November 9, 2008 -- Houston 0, New York 3
Who can forget? With Dane Richards running up the right side, leaving Dynamo defenders in the dust, setting up Woly for the last goal of the match in what was Metro's first playoff series win in eight years.
The Cup equalizer: November 23, 2008 -- Columbus 3, New York 1
Oh, what could have been! With Metro down to the Crew in the MLS Cup, it's Wolyniec who breaks through, tying the match by redirecting a Richards pass. Alas. Alas.
The last, for now: May 16, 2009 -- New York 1, Houston 1
Metro is down, it's late, all looks hopeless, but Richards keeps the ball in play off the corner kick, and Wolyniec, with Houston defenders surrounding him, chests it, settles it, and -- what else -- scores.
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