METROS LEADING IN EAST AFTER 1-0 WIN OVER COLUMBUS

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (Sunday, March 28, 1999)
More than 20,000 fans turned out to see their home team the MetroStars open their season at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford with a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Crew.  The win was garnered by a beautifully timed header placed in the net off a curving freekick pass by midfielder Miles Joseph.  Petke would later remark "Miles played a perfect ball" 

The victory actually put the Stars in first place position in the MLS Eastern Conference which has been for them unchartered territory during previous seasons.  Missing  from these Stars were the Meloas, Donadones, Savareses, Avilas, and Tab Ramos (if even for one game), replaced with a lesser internationally experienced crop of players. However, it was this revised contingent who treated their fans with some really exciting moments of play.  

These Stars seemed to have a coordination, cohesiveness and greater degree of focus which appeared to be missing from the previous versions.  No doubt a result of the intensive  pre-season training and play in Europe under the guidance of  their latest coach Bora Multinovic. It was Bora however who understandingly may have been distracted by the recent events in his homeland of Yugoslavia. During their annual "Press Day" conference held a few days earlier, Bora often shifted the conversation from soccer to express his concern regarding to the tragedy occurring in his homeland.  His concern was again expressed during the post game press conference.

Oh by the way, remember the promise by the Stars management, offering to refund the fans if they were not pleased with the level play. Well, we didn't hear of any requests for refunds, and from the looks of things we seriously doubt that that we will.  Yes, the Stars seem to have finally put together the right chemistry this year; a chemistry which may take them to the finals.

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