Awful Metros shutout by DC Scum
September 12, 2002
The MetroStars failed to clinch a playoff berth, playing an awful game in losing to DC Scum 1:0. Scum's victory, coming off Marco Etcheverry's free kick goal in first half injury time, was their first on the road all season, and kept them in the playoff hunt.
Lacking any cohesion on and off the ball, failing to string passes together, not being able to penetrate into Scum's half, the Metros played a horrible first 80 minutes. Etcheverry's goal (actually intended as a cross), a low bouncer from a long free kick, fooled the Metro defense and stood up for the rest of the game.
Tim Howard made an amazing save early in the second half, stopping a three-on-none breakaway from close range. But the rest of the team's ineptitude could not produce anything offensively. Rodrigo Faria had a moment of individual brilliance late in the game, taking the ball in the box, going forward, cutting back, then across, and launching a shot, only to be denied by Nick Rimando.
Again, the failure of Octavio Zambrano as a coach is evident. This is eleven players, not a team. A few weeks ago, Zambrano promised a winning season. It's not gonna happen. And someone has to take the blame.
Mamadou Diallo came in late and spent more time on the ground then on the field. In what might be his last game at Giants Stadium, Tab Ramos was probably the best Metro. Sad, really.
Lineup: Howard, Chronopoulos, Petke, Jolley, Ziadie, Moore, Paule, Ramos, Williams, Faria, Mathis. Subs: Akwari, Diallo, Davis.
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