Metro scores early and late to tie Houston 2:2
May 21, 2011
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Davis
Koke
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Richards
Ballouchy
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Dane Richards scored the quickest goal in team history and Mehdi Ballouchy added one in injury time as Metro tied Houston 2:2. Once again, set pieces proved to be the team's Achilles heel, as the Dynamo's go-ahead goal came from a corner kick. The miraculous rescued point was more than welcome, but it pushes the team's winless streak to three.
"Clever" Hans Backe had to make changes from last week's lineup due to Titi Henry's injury, and Juan Agudelo started in his place. But one change that was not dictated by injury was the benching of Bouna Coundoul for Greg Sutton, the latter manning the nets for the first time since the season opener.
Before fans had a chance to sit down, Metro struck. An incredibly perfect ball from Teemu Tainio deep, deep in Metro side of the field found Luke Rodgers at the edge of the Houston penalty area, with his back to the net. The bald Englishman passed the ball backwards, and the blazing Richards blazed the ball in. The goal came just 39 seconds into the match. The Jamaican, who always plays well in Houston, says that is the case because he has family in the area. Well, perhaps RBNY needs to fly in more family members and settle them in various MLS cities.
The lead didn't last long. Twelve minutes in, the referee missed a clear offside call, and Rafa Marquez brought down Will Bruin in the penalty area. Former Metro Brad Davis didn't miss from the spot.
The change from Coundoul to Sutton did not seem to hurt the team. The Canadian behemoth came up big a number of times, including a brave shutdown of a Geoff Cameron breakaway. Sadly, it all looked for naught, as in the 82nd minute, his save off a corner dropped in front of the net. Metro failed to clear, and Koke pounced on the ball, giving Houston the lead.
Yet all was not lost. For thankfully, Backe stripped Marquez of set piece duties, meaning the corner kicks were now taken by Joel Lindpere. And a minute into injury time, he swung in the set piece, finding the wavy head of much-maligned Ballouchy. The Moroccan's snapping header shut up the haters for at least this night.
Lineup: Sutton, Miller, Ream, Marquez, Solli, Tainio, Lindpere, Richards, De Rosario, Rodgers, Agudelo. Subs: Ballouchy, Hertzog.
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