Metros lose meaningless exhibition to Atlanta
August 9, 2002 (Official Game Summary)
Forward Tony Kuhn converted a breakaway opportunity just moments before the end of the first half, notching what turned out to be the lone goal of the game and giving the A-League Atlanta Silverbacks a 1-0 victory over the MetroStars in an exhibition game tonight at DeKalb Memorial Stadium in Atlanta. The unassisted goal in the 43rd minute stood up as the winner, despite several MetroStars scoring opportunities throughout the match.
In the fifth minute, Silverbacks defender Byron Mitchell brought down Byron Alvarez from behind in the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick by Andy Williams that Silverbacks goalkeeper Jeff Cassar did well to save on a full-length dive to his lower right corner. Six minutes later, a point-blank header from eight yards by Sam Forko off a perfect cross by Williams sailed just over the crossbar.
Just before Kuhn converted for Atlanta, he almost notched another goal when his 12-yard drive from the right side of the box was deflected by MetroStars goalkeeper Paul Grafer and bounced off the left post.
The MetroStars continued to apply pressure in the second half, getting their last best opportunity in the 70th minute when Martin Klinger led Dustin Sheppard with a well-placed flick-on pass just in front of the six-yard box, but Sheppard's shot ran just wide of the right post. Grafer made a total of five saves in the game, including two stellar stops of one-on-one opportunities by forward Iggy Moleka.
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