2:2 Philadelphia New York Sapong Pontius Kljestan 2 07.17.16 · League

Less than three weeks ago, Metro went to Philly for an Open Cup game, completely dominated the first half, then allowed two quick goals in the second, and exited losers. Lesson learned?

Hardly. Today, Metro went to Philly for a regular season game, completed dominated the first half, then allowed two quick goals in the second. The difference? They exited drawn, as the two-goal cushion from the first earned the point.

Damien Perrinelle made his first start of the year at the expense of Ronald Zubar, and Sal Zizzo rotated in for Chris Duvall. Sacha Kljestan came back from his respite to displace Sean Davis.

The early game was not without controversy. Philly appeared to score on a breakaway, but the goal was called back for offside. Then, off a Metro free kick, a potential hand ball in the box was followed by Bradley Wright-Phillips being clobbered on the doorstep. No penalty was called.

Although BWP once again did not end up on the scoresheet, he found a way to contribute. In the 27th minute, he caused a turnover deep in the Worms end and found Kljestan. The mustached midfielder sliced one in from the top of the box. Then, with one minute to go in the first, it was Kljestan again, this time off a free kick. After a couple of Metro players stepped over the ball to confuse the Worms, Kljestan's shot deflected in for a deserved 2:0 lead.

Alas, just like in that Open Cup game, that lead didn't last. In the 67th minute, Zizzo was judged to have pushed in the box, and C.J. Sapong converted the penalty. A minute later, Chris Pontius got on the end of a cross, and the game was tied.

The Worms' Insinho got ejected in the 72nd, but Metro didn't exactly take advantage. It were the 10-man Worms who held most of the ball, and forced Luis Robles to stretch himself when called upon. One one occasion, he reached a shot destined for the upper right corner. A brave Dax McCarty run back into the box saved another scoring opportunity.

Let's hope this team starts learning its lessons...

Lineup: Robles, Lade, Collin, Perrinelle, Zizzo, McCarty, Martins, Kljestan, Grella, Muyl, Wright-Phillips. Subs: Duvall, Veron, Zubar.