4:1 New York Colorado Henry 2 Cooper 2 Cummings 03.25.12 · League

Oh, what a difference 90 minutes make! Scratch that. Oh, what a difference six minutes make, for that is all it took for Metro to get a two-goal lead on their way to a 4:1 romp over Colorado. Titi Henry and Kenny Cooper both scored two goals, as the team quadrupled its previous goal total in these 90 minutes.

"Clever" Hans Backe reverted to this oh-so-familiar 4-4-2. Last week's defensive midfield tandem of Teemu Tainio and Victor Palsson missed out, the former due to injuries. Cooper got his first Metro start and Rafa Marquez returned from his suspension to supposedly patrol the center of the field. Wilman Conde, now healthy, was given his Metro debut in central defense, as Stephen Keel sat.

It took Metro just three minutes to break through. Pressure from the relentless Joel Lindpere forced a terrible backpass from Colorado's Ross LaBauex. Henry ran onto it at the edge of the penalty area, and, with a man to beat, took it to his left, sliding the ball past the goalkeeper.

The lead was doubled just three minutes after. After Metro won the ball at midfield, it made its way to Henry, who passed it off to Cooper. The striker took it into the box, ending at an acute angle right of the net. But neither that nor the Rapid defender could thwart Frankencooper.

With the early two-goal advantage, Metro settled in for the rest of the half. Colorado held most of the ball, but could not do much with it. Ryan Meara was forced to make one terrific save, off a long Rapid free kick, but that was that.

The lead became three in the 53rd minute. Off a free kick in Metro territory, Conde, who was terrific throughout, sent a perfect ball to Henry. The Frenchman found himself behind the Rapid defense, controlled the ball, and got his second of the match.

Meara would have had his first professional shutout if not for Marquez. Oh, the cologne peddler wasn't terrible tonight, but he needlessly walked the ball into traffic and got stripped. Omar Cummings sent in a long shot that landed in the Metro net.

But the last laugh was had by Metro. A minute from time, Roy Miller waltzed into the penalty area, and found Cooper on the doorstep. The gigantic striker scored his second of the night and three in as many games.

So, after two flaccid games, a rather potent performance. What will next game bring?

Lineup: Meara, Miller, Holgersson, Conde, Solli, Marquez, McCarty, Lindpere, Richards, Cooper, Henry. Subs: Ballouchy, Barklage.