Metro once again falls at Foxboro, 2:0
July 8, 2012
Two months ago, Metro was able to create victories even when half the team was forced to the sidelines. This no longer seems to be the case. Tonight, Metro was shutout for the first time since the season's second match, falling in New England 2:0. The loss stretches the winless streak in Foxboro to 18 matches.
With Titi Henry injured again, "Clever" Hans Backe decided to go with a 4-5-1. Roy Miller moved back to left back as Connor Lade shifted to left midfield, and Stephen Keel made a start for the injured Heath Pearce. Jan Gunnar Solli was also forced out due to injury, and Mehdi Ballouchy stepped in to the center of midfield.
The Revs completely owned the first half. In the 24th minute, Ballouchy was caught ball-watching, and Lee Nguyen sent a shot from outside the box and into the net. Moments later, Saer Sene broke through on goal, but shot wide. Then, five minutes before the break, the Revs hit the crossbar with a header off a free kick. With the entire lineups on both teams bunched up in the Metro penalty area, the ball fell inches in front of the net, but the Revs' Blake Brettschneider couldn't connect, Brandon Barklage saving a sure goal.
Metro started the second a tad better, with some good opportunities off corner kicks and a long Cooper blast that fired off the upper right corner of the woodwork. But after that, the game settled, and Metro couldn't even force a tough save from the Revs goalkeeper. The goal that made the match academic came six minutes from time, after Sene shoved Miller to the ground, but no foul was called. Ryan Meara came out to block the initial shot, but the rebound landed at the feet of Jerry Bengtson for the easiest of tap-ins.
That period two months ago might have given Metro a good cushion in the standings, but that time seems long gone. Yes, injuries happen to every team, and yes, excuses can be made. But if this continues to play out like this, we can kiss the once-promising season goodbye sooner rather than later.
Lineup: Meara, Miller, Conde, Keel, Barklage, McCarty, Lade, Lindpere, Ballouchy, Richards, Cooper. Subs: Palsson.
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