Metro puts clamps on the Crew, 2:1
October 3, 2015
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Sam
Wright-Phillips
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Meram
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With last week's awful showing still fresh on the mind, and a makeshift defense in front of the Metro net, this could have gone very badly. A strong Columbus team with its sights set at East's top was coming to Harrison. Another slip-up, and Metro could be teetering down the standings...
No slip-up happened. Metro dominated most of the match, earning a 2:1 victory. Lloyd Sam and Bradley Wright-Phillips scored the New York goals.
Matt Miazga's departure to the Olympic qualifying tournament (he scored today in a romp over Cuba), and Kemar Lawrence's unknown personal reasons meant that Connor Lade shifted to the left, Ronald Zubar entered in the middle, and Sal Zizzo started on the right. But it was the one remaining defender, Damien Perrinelle, who figured in the first goal of the match. Unfortunately, it went the other way, as the Frenchman's head just nipped the ball, misdirecting it just enough to go over the hands of Luis Robles. Justin Meram got the credit in the 9th minute.
Three minutes later, Metro evened up after some terrific work from Mike Grella. He caused a turnover high up field, then went in on net, and had his shot saved. The rebound went to Sacha Kljestan, who swung the ball over to the right and an unmarked Sam. The Englishman nailed in his 11th of the year in all competitions.
In the 21st minute, Grella caused the second goal when he rushed the Columbus keeper, getting just high enough to tip the kick. The ball ended with Lade, who took it up the flank and sent a perfect cross onto the head of Wright-Phillips. The other Englishman got his 15th of the year.
The makeshift defense had no real problems in keeping Columbus at bay. Metro had a number of chances to extend the lead, but indecision in the box led to some misfires. At the end, another goal was not needed, as Metro celebrated a much-deserved victory.
In other important news, Perrinelle's 11th yellow card of the regular season tied the team record, set by Tab Ramos all the way back in 1996.
Lineup: Robles, Lade, Perrinelle, Zubar, Zizzo, McCarty, Martins, Kljestan, Grella, Sam, Wright-Phillips. Subs: Veron, Ouimette, Davis.
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