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Wolyniec vs Columbus, 2003
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Ten Best: Giants Stadium memories
October 20, 2009
So after yesterday's ten worst memories list, let's now switch up. Believe it or not, positive memories of Giants Stadium are even more plentiful. So here we go, once again listed chronologically.
1) May 4, 1996: MetroStars 3, Tampa Bay 3 (2:1 SO)
Tampa Bay scores three goals early in the second half to seemingly doom Metro to a fourth straight defeat to start their history. But in Roberto Donadoni's first match, the Metros respond with three goals in three minutes; first, a Cle Kooiman own goal off a Tab Ramos free kick, then two by Giovanni Savarese, the second on a gorgeous bicycle kick to tie the game in regulation. Ramos would then score the game-winner in the shootout.
2) September 24, 1996: MetroStars 2, DC United 2 (6:5 SO)
In the first playoff game in Metro history, Savarese ties the match at twos in the 75th after coming onto the field just a minute earlier (Antony De Avila scored the first Metro goal). Then, an epic shootout ensues, and the injured Peter Vermes hobbles and scores in the 11th frame to give the Metros the win.
3) August 20, 2000: MetroStars 5, Colorado 3
Four days after Tampa goon Mamadou Diallo stepped on Mike Ammann, breaking his ribs, Metros trash Colorado (it was 5:1 until sub goalie Russell Payne allowed two goals in eight minutes). But the highlight is Mike Petke's goal, and his reveal of the "Crime of the Century" / "Revenge is Coming" t-shirt, showing support for his fallen teammate.
4) April 28, 2001: MetroStars 3, Dallas 2
Clint Mathis was magic, and it was never more evident than on this day. Clint takes the ball in his own half and races through towards the net, slicing past Dallas defenders and finally slotting it home. The incredible goal is named MLS Goal of the Year.
5) May 5, 2001: MetroStars 3, DC United 2
Down by two in the 79th minute, it looks like everything is doomed. But the MetroStars score three in a terrific span as first Mathis, then Rodrigo Faria in the 88th, and then Petter Villegas in the 90th each knock one in to pull out the most incredible regulation win in Metro history.
6) September 20, 2003: MetroStars 1, Columbus 0 (OT)
There are incredible goals, and then there are incredible goals. It all comes together perfectly in the last minute of overtime. Metro and Crew are tied 0:0, and Amado Guevara takes a long free kick from his own half. In a perfect arc, the ball lands on the foot of the onrushing John Wolyniec, who one-timedes it into the net for an incredible victory.
7) September 17, 2005: MetroStars 5, New England 4
Needing a win for the playoff push, the MetroStars score early through Mike Magee, but New England equalizes. In the second half, Youri Djorkaeff and Guevara tally to give Metro a two-goal lead only for the Revs to respond with three goals in 13 minutes. Just two minutes after the last Rev goal, Magee brings Metro level, and in the 86th minute, Djorkaeff also adds a second, scoring off an impossible acute angle.
8) October 14, 2006: New York 3, Kansas City 2
Needing a win and a win only to reach the playoffs, Metro goes down early, but a Guevara penalty kick restores the tie in the first half and another one gives them the needed lead in the second. Guevara then adds a third on a long trickling shot, and a late Wizard reply is not enough as Metro book their fourth straight postseason trip.
9) August 18, 2007: New York 5, Los Angeles 4
A record-breaking crowd comes in to see LA's David Beckham, and leaves seeing a thriller. Juan Pablo Angel's free kick opens the scoring early on, but the Galaxy quickly goes up 2:1. Just before halftime, Clint Mathis' rocket ties the game and gives him a Metro record of 45 goals in all competitions. Jozy Altidore undresses the LA defense twice to make it 4:2, but the Galaxy reply to make it level once again. Then, in the 88th, a long shot by Mathis is saved, but Angel knocks home the rebound for the victory.
10) October 18, 2008: New York 3, Columbus 1
Metro desperately needs a win to have any chance to make the playoffs. They get it, and in what a fashion. Angel scores two masterful goals, but it's Danny Cepero who steals the headlines. The goalkeeper, playing in his first ever MLS game in place of suspended Jon Conway, not only gets the victory, but scores an incredible goal, on a long shot that went upfield and bounced over the Crew defense and into the net. It's the first goal by a goalkeeper in MLS history.
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