Metros Lose in Season Opener
Bob Bradley was tied for the most wins in league history with Thomas Rongen with 82 wins. After Jamie Moreno was subsituted early in the first
half due to a back injury, it seemed that Bradley would have to wait one more week before he could earn the feat of most wins by a coach. But
with defensive work, the Metros were able to please their coach.
The first half featured very little good offensive chances for both teams. The Metros were missing midfielder Amando Guevara due to a Gold Cup
qualifing game verus Trinand and Tobago. Crew lack their creative touch because of the great defensive efforts by defensive midfielders Ricardo
Clark and Richie Williams that had them shut down sophmore sensation Kyle Martino. Steve Jolley and Eddie Pope were also responsible for shutting
down Jeff Cunningham and Brian McBride.
In the 59th minute, the MetroStars took advantage of their best scoring oppertunity of the game. Mathis curled in a corner kick from the left
side, and the ball was deflected by a Crew defender. The ball was directed towards Jolley who one timed it. The ball failed to pass the goal
line but did make its way to rookie Mike Magee. Magee shot the ball to the roof of the goal with his back facing the goal. With the strike,
Magee became the youngest player in MetroStars history to score at 18 years, and 236 days of age.
With a lot of hard defensive work, the MetroStars were able to shutdown the Crew's quick front line to earn their first win of the season. The
win advances the MetroStars from last place to third with 4 points. The Crew still remain in first place with 7 points.
MetroStars Lineup:
Tim Howard, Chris Leitch, Steve Jolley, Eddie Pope, Craig Ziadie, Ricardo Clark, Clint Mathis, Richie Williams, John Wolyniec, Joey DiGiamarino, Jaime Moreno (Mike Magee 22) (Jacob LeBlanc 86).
Substitutes Not Used: Joseph Addo, Paul Grafer, Tim Regan.
Crew Lineup:
Columbus Crew -- Jon Busch, Frankie Hejduk, Mike Clark, Brian Dunseth, Eric Denton (Diego Walsh 84), Ross Paule (Brian West 65), Brian Maisonneuve, Kyle Martino, Freddy Garcia, Jeff Cunningham, Brian McBride.
Substitutes Not Used: Nelson Akwari, Edson Buddle, Duncan Oughton, Tom Presthus, Daniel Torres, Jake Traeger.
Scoring Summary:
MetroStars -- Mike Magee 1 (59th min)
Stats:
MetroStars:
TOTAL SHOTS: 9 (Clint Mathis 2)
SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (3 tied with 1)
FOULS: 12 (Joey DiGiamarino 4)
OFFSIDES: 1 (John Wolyniec 1)
CORNER KICKS: 5 (Clint Mathis 5)
SAVES: 7 (Tim Howard 7)
CAUTIONS: Richie Williams 10
Crew:
TOTAL SHOTS: 14 (Freddy Garcia 5)
SHOTS ON GOAL: 7(Kyle Martino 4)
FOULS: 14 (Brian Maisonneuve 4)
OFFSIDES: 2 (Kyle Martino 1, Brian McBride 1)
CORNER KICKS: 6 (Freddy Garcia 4)
SAVES: 2 (Jon Busch 2)
CAUTIONS: Brian Maisonneuve 31
