Metro wastes ref's gift in Chicago, loses 3:1
June 17, 2012
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Nyarko
Segares
Rolfe
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McCarty
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The last league game was so long ago, it was easy to forget that Metro was riding a six-game streak without a loss. That May was one of the best months in team history. That despite numerous absences, Metro carved out win after win, result after result.
But today, those memories -- or lack of them -- proved irrelevant, as Metro was outplayed by the Fire, 3:1. After getting a gift from the referee midway through the second when a clear Fire goal was disallowed, Metro proceeded to let in two to lose their first league game since April.
Metro was playing without DPs Titi Henry and Rafa Marquez, who decided to call themselves injured and stayed home instead of embarking on a two-game road trip. But others returned; Dane Richards partnered Kenny Cooper up front. Wilman Conde played his first league match in months, pushing Hunter Pearce to defensive midfield. Roy Miller started at left back, and Jan Gunnar Solli -- on the right of the midfield.
It only took four minutes for Chicago to break through, as an unmarked Patrick Nyarko headed in for an early lead. Metro evened it in the 55th, when it was Dax McCarty's turn to use his head, off Mehdi Ballouchy's corner kick.
The disputed non-goal came in the 64th minute, when ex-Metro scrub Dominic Oduro raced in on a breakaway. Ryan Meara got a hand on the ball to slow it down, but not enough as it continued to roll towards the empty net. The ball had clearly crossed the line, when the sliding Conde knocked it out, a moment too late... yet the linesman signaled no goal. The Fire protested, but to no avail.
Unfortunately for Metro, they could not use the gift. Four minutes later, Meara left a juicy rebound, and Gonzalo Segares pounced on it. There was no need to replay that one. Chris Rolfe got the Fire's last ten minutes from time, tapping in a cross from close range.
So now, a quick turnaround for a game in Vancouver. Let's just hope today's result doesn't start a new streak that will be easier to remember...
Lineup: Meara, Miller, Holgersson, Conde, Barklage, Pearce, McCarty, Lindpere, Solli, Richards, Cooper. Subs: Ballouchy, Lade, Palsson.
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