2:1 New York Philadelphia Henry Sam Le Toux 04.16.14 · League

Of course, it couldn't be easy. Up two and coasting with just ten minutes left. A needless turnover, a red card, a penalty, and just like that, a one goal game, and hanging on for dear life... No, that first victory would have to be earned. And earn it Metro did, clawing their way to a 2:1 result over Philly's feeble Worms.

Lineup changes from last week saw Eric Alexander starting as the newly-minted left midfielder, Peguy Luyindula moving back to center midfield, and Bradley Wright-Phillips appearing up front. Jonny Steele sat.

Alexander made his presence felt early, by walking in on goal down the left flank. Close to the net but faced with a tough angle, he elected to cross the ball, but it sailed wide.

Luis Robles, who has been beyond excellent all year, showed up to play once again. The Metro netminder broke up two breakaways. In the first half, he denied Andrew Wenger with a fantastic reaction save. Early in the second, he quickly came off the line to force Wegner wide.

The Metro goals came ten minutes apart. First, in the 57th, Alexander once again took it down the flank, passed it off to the suddenly emerging Roy Miller. The oft-maligned Costa Rican made a run to the endline, then centered it to Titi Henry. The marvelous Frenchman, unmarked (stupid Worm defenders!) redirected it with a flick of his foot into the net.

The second goal was created by Alexander as well. The midfielder, was has been rather poor this year, had by far his best game, setting this one up with another run and cross. Tim Cahill and Lloyd Sam went up for the ball at the same time, neither of them marked (stupid Worm defenders!). Sam's header, his first goal of the year, made it 2:0.

It looked like smooth sailing from there, with Philly not able to do much. Alas, in the 78th minute, a turnover by McCarty with most of Metro caught upfield led to a Worm rush in the other direction. The initial shot went off the post, but on the attempted putback, Ibrahim Sekagya flew in front of the net, spreading his hands to prevent the ball from coming in. A clear red card, a clear penalty, which Metro reject Sebastien Le Toux converted.

Yet this time, Metro held on. In fact, the Worms could do very little to penetrate during the remainder of the match. So, finally a win, and a scoreline not indicative at Metro dominance. It wasn't easy, but it was needed...

Lineup: Robles, Miller, Olave, Sekagya, Kimura, McCarty, Alexander, Luyindula, Sam, Wright-Phillips, Henry. Subs: Cahill, Armando, Steele.