0:1 New York Philadelphia Gazdag 05.06.23 · League

In the 81th minute of the game, down 1:0 yet again, Gerhard Struber decided to go for it. Oh, if you thought the Metro manager was out of ideas, guess again! He put on Ronald Donkor.

Yes, Ronald Donkor, who (1) no one has ever heard of three days ago, (2) the team itself wasn't sure was Malian or Ghanaian, (3) is considered a long-term project at best, (4) has not played above the Malian second division, (5) had very limited practice time with his teammates, (6) is not an attacking player, when a goal was desperately needed... Need we go on?

Let's not go on. It's not on Donkor, thrust in a position he was not ready for. But part of it is on Struber, who, despite the team allowing a paltry goal per game, cannot get any offensive cohesion going. Oh, there are injuries and absences, and excuses after excuses. At some point, you're a team that has seven goals and one win after 11 games.

The lone goal of today's match came in the 31st minute. A stupid turnover by Omir Fernandez in the defensive half saw the ball flipped to the other side, where a Philly attacker got into the box. There, he was met by an outstretched arm by Dylan Nealis, dove, got the PK, and avoided a VAR reversal. Carlos Coronel went the wrong way, and that was it. Metro wasn't scoring tonight.

Oh, there were some chances, like a good early shot from John Tolkin, and a bad one by Fernandez. Cory Burke had two close-range header half-chances late against his former team. It didn't matter. The misery that is the 2023 season is quickly turning into an embarrassment.

But, hell, at least we signed some teenage prospect no one has heard three days ago!

Lineup: Coronel, Tolkin, Nealis, Reyes, Nealis, Harper, Yearwood, Casseres, Fernandez, Manoel, Burke. Subs: Carmona, Barlow, Donkor.