0:1 Hampton Rds MetroStars Faria 07.16.02 · Open Cup

The MetroStars escaped with a 1-0 road win over the Hampton Roads Mariners of the A-League Tuesday night in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Third Round match. Striker Rodrigo Faria scored the game's only goal in the 76th minute. Midfielder Andy Williams played a through ball over the defense and Faria ran onto it at the top of the box. His left-footed shot was well-saved by Hampton Roads keeper Joe Larson. Faria recovered to slot home the rebound from the top of the box, squeezing it between Larson and a defender. The MetroStars traveled to Virginia Beach for the second time this year after winning an exhibition match 3-0 on May 31.

First half play was concentrated heavily in the midfield, with both teams passing well between the midfield and the back line, but unable to link up consistently with the frontrunners. Hampton Roads had the better of possession and also the best chance of the first half with a beautiful, flowing move in the 37th minute. Defender Darren Warham sent a long switch out of the back to former Kansas City Wizards striker Gary Glasgow. Glasgow met the ball with a superb backheel-flick, finding Jerome McCarthy for a one-two. McCarthy's return pass sent Glasgow into the box, but MetroStars keeper Tim Howard charged Glasgow and, sliding, deflected the ball over the crossbar.

The MetroStars' best chance in the first half had come in the 24th minute. Faria ran onto a through ball at the top of the box as Hampton keeper Joe Larson challenged. Faria's toe-poke from the top of the box beat the keeper, but rolled wide of the right post, keeping the match scoreless. "We didn't play well in the first half, but we came out strong in the second half," Faria said.

Faria himself had the first good chance of the second half, heading a free kick on frame and forcing Larson to make the save. Larson was up to the task again in the 64th minute, diving full-length to his left to save a Mike Petke header. He next robbed Ross Paule in the 72nd minute, diving to stop a 15-yard shot. Four minutes later, Faria beat the offside trap to score the match's only goal.

Lineup: Howard, Chronopoulos, Petke, Jolley, Ziadie, Moore, Paule, Davis, Williams, Faria, Diallo. Subs: Grafer, Lisi, Alvarez, Addo.