Depleted Metro gets a point in Columbus, 0:0
March 26, 2011
Earlier this week, when Thierry Henry pulled out of today's match, the sense of doom started lingering. Yesterday, when newly-signed Alex Horwath was given the starting goalkeeper job after Greg Sutton's concussion was revealed, the sense of doom expanded. With four starters missing with national team duty and two now injured, a point was all Metro could hope for. Well, that point they got, shutting down Columbus in a 0:0 tie.
Other than Horwath, Stephen Keel and Luke Rodgers also made their Metro debuts, the former in central defense partnering Carlos Mendes, the latter up front. Danleigh Borman got the start in left midfield, Tony Tchani on the right, with Joel Lindpere shifting to the middle and Mehdi Ballouchy lining up as the second forward.
The game itself was devoid of many chances, which, come to think about it, was probably what "Clever" Hans Backe wanted. Horwath was brave coming off his line, preventing a number of opportunities. Midway through the second half, the surprisingly steady Keel cleared the ball off the goalline on what was Columbus' best chance. He and Mendes successfully pulled the offside trap numerous times, frustrating the Crew attack time and again.
Metro's two best chances came late in the game, when substitute and debutant Corey Hertzog racing into the penalty area, only to shoot just wide. Then Joel Lindpere whisked through the Crew defense, and hit a low tricky shot that Will Hesmer parried, only for the ball to roll free... but sadly not into the net.
At the end, a good point if there ever was one, and hopefully less sense of doom next week.
Lineup: Horwath, Miller, Keel, Mendes, Solli, Tainio, Borman, Lindpere, Tchani, Ballouchy, Rodgers. Subs: Hertzog.
|
