4:1 New York New England McCarty Espindola Henry Steele Barklage(OG) 04.20.13 · League

When this result is looked at down the line, the three-goal margin might make the game seem like a laugher. It wasn't; in fact, for as well as Metro played, it seemed that they kept escaping a Rev equalizer by the skin of their teeth. Nevertheless, after an early exchange that saw the two teams combine for three goals in four minutes, Metro tacked on two late to win 4:1.

Mike Petke's only changes from midweek was the insertion of Heath Pearce for the injured Jamison Olave, and moving Tim Cahill into the middle of the field for the suspended Juninho. Jonny Steele took back his old spot on the left.

Scoring opened just four minutes in. Off a Metro corner, the ball swung around and ended up with Cahill and Dax McCarty at the edge of the box. The Australian passed it to the American, who blasted the shot into the net. The lead only lasted two minutes, as off a Rev free kick, Brandon Barklage was unfortunate to head the ball into his own net.

In another two minutes, Barklage turned hero. His long ball up the right side went past McCarty, and ended up with Fabian Espindola. The Argentine took it into the penalty area, cut back to fool the defender, and connected for this third of the year.

Luis Robles continued his recovery from the debacle in Chicago with another strong game. In the first half, he came out strong to cut down the angle and stop a Rev breakaway. In the second, he made a kick save from close range off a corner kick. The Revs' other good chance came when the ball was sent across the goalmouth, but the Metro defense cleared it.

Metro had their chances to extend the lead, but one was lost due to Steele passing up a clear shot in favor of Titi Henry, who wasn't expecting such generosity. The second culprit was the referee, who didn't point to the penalty spot with Rev keeper Bobby Shuttleworth tripped down the Henry in the box. The call seemed as clear as day; instead, we played on.

The non-call did seem to piss off Henry to no end, and the French ubermensch made the Revs pay in the 82nd minute. He did well to stay onside after a through ball by Steele, and slammed a rocket into the net. Then, in the 89th, it was Steele's turn to get on the scoreboard. The North Irishman scored his first as a Metro from close range after Eric Alexander set him up. Andre Akpan, who made his debut minutes earlier, got an assist as well.

So, a deserved, be it unnerving, victory. So what the hell will Petke now do with Juninho?

Lineup: Robles, Miller, Pearce, Holgersson, Barklage, McCarty, Steele, Alexander, Cahill, Espindola, Henry. Subs: Sam, Olave, Akpan.