2:2 New York Chicago Henry Lindpere Oduro Grazzini 08.13.11 · League

A draw. What else did you expect from the two teams that lead MLS in stalemates? Even the script was trite: an early goal for Metro via their megastar forward (midfielder?), squandered in style to a player whose brief stay in East Rutherford a couple years ago was notably disastrous.

Then, of course, a late push to save face -- a goal from the Estonian fan favorite to draw level once again, and predictable pressure on the opposing goal that led to nothing due to ineptitude and poor communication.

"Clever" Hans Backe (the quotes seem particularly apropos), who will relinquish the title of manager at the end of this botched campaign unless a dramatic turnaround takes place, did a superb job of re-arranging deck chairs in the 60th minute. Why it took him until the second week of August to make a sensible mid-game substitution is beyond us, but in his defense much of what has transpired this season has bordered on the unfathomable.

What is there left to say? After 25 games, Metro -- in case you forgot, the team with the record payroll -- has fewer wins in more games than one of this year's two expansion teams. They traded one of the league's greatest players and a promising young American to their hated rivals, received the lesser of both deals, and now have to watch as said rival charges past them into playoff contention.

Nine games still remain for Captain Clever to snap out of it and steer the ship away from the looming iceberg, but after dropping points at home to lowly Chicago, we're bracing for impact.

Lineup: Konopka, Miller, Ream, Marquez, Albright, Tainio, McCarty, Lindpere, Ballouchy, Richards, Henry. Subs: Auvray, Agudelo.