Grafer's pants not enough as Metros drop out of Open Cup
August 7, 2002
Paul Grafer made his first start in two years as the Metros lost in the quarterfinals of the US Open Cup, 2:1 to the Crew in Uniondale, Long Island. Grafer, who once again wore the long black pants, played well, but not well enough to get an Open Cup win, just like he did in the infamous "donkey balls" game in 2000.
Mamadou Diallo also didn't play, as he was rested with an injury. Instead, Metro fans were treated to 90 minutes of the abomination known as Byron Alvarez, whose skill can be only matched by that of Martin Klinger, who made his first appearance of the year tonight.
The Crew scored the first goal off a Brian McBride header in the 34th minute, and their second by Kyle Martino right after the break as the Metro defense was caught sleeping. Andy Williams was brought down in the 49th minute and Rodrigo Faria converted the ensuing penalty kick to reduce the deficit to one. The Metros attacked for the rest of the game, but their efforts went for naught. Steve Jolley's flying header off a Williams free kick went off the woodwork, and the referee failed to call a number of penalties, some more clear than the one that was earned earlier in the game.
Lineup: Grafer, Chronopoulos, Petke, Jolley, Ziadie, Moore, Paule, Lisi, Williams, Alvarez, Faria. Subs: Sheppard, Klinger.
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