MetroStars Win Fifth Straight Defeating Dallas 2-1
Photo Courtesy of MetroStars

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The MetroStars extended their winning streak to five consecutive games Saturday evening, knocking off the Dallas Burn 2-1 at Giant Stadium. Clint Mathis opened the scoring for the Metros, but the Burn’s Jason Kreis immediately answered the home side’s tally. In the end, however, it was defender Steve Jolley’s opportunistic goal that sealed the deal, keeping the MetroStars on top of the Eastern Conference.

The first half was a tightly contested affair, with the Dallas offense overloading the left side in an attempt to break into the MetroStars backfield. Organized by team captain Eddie Pope, the Metros were successful in limiting the Dallas looks at goal. On the other side of the field, Dallas defenders Steve Morrow and Chris Gbandi held the fort in front of goalkeeper D.J. Countess, frustrating the tandem of Mathis and Metros’ newcomer José Ernesto Galván.

Galván saw much of the ball in the game, helping to key the attack in an attacking midfielder role. The Boca Juniors youth player made a big splash in his MLS debut, linking up several times with Mathis as the Metros attempted to crack the Dallas backline.

The MetroStars were finally able to break the deadlock in the 60th minute of play, opening up a tightly defended game. The Metros were awarded an indirect free kick inside the penalty area for a back-pass infraction by Dallas. With the box full of bodies as the Burn attempted to rush the shooter, Mathis hammered a low shot through a maze of legs, leaving Countess no chance.

Dallas immediately countered, evening up the score in the 63rd minute. Gbandi ran on to a Dallas corner kick, earning a whistle when Clark handled his shot inside the penalty area. Jason Kreis took the ensuing penalty shot, hitting the ball low to his left. Goalkeeper Tim Howard made a diving stop on the initial attempt, but the loose ball rolled right back out to Kreis. The Dallas striker hit the ball into the roof of the net before the Metros could recover, ending Howard’s shutout streak at 292 consecutive scoreless minutes.

The final goal of the match came from an unlikely source, as MetroStars defender Steve Jolley notched his first goal of the season in the 84th minute of play. Mathis sent a bending free kick into the box, where Morrow attempted to nod the ball to safety. The ball fell to Jolley, lurking on the edge of the box. Jolley’s one-time strike to the far post somehow managed to elude Countess, giving the Metros the late 2-1 lead.

The MetroStars are undefeated when Mathis scores (21-0-2), and are staking an early claim to the top of the Eastern Conference (5-1-1, 16 points). The Metros will face a stiff test when they take on the Columbus Crew next Saturday, May 31st at Columbus Crew stadium.

Dallas (0-3-3, 3 points) are still winless in six outings this season. The Burn take on struggling D.C. United (0-2-4, 4 points) on Saturday at Dragon Stadium in Southlake, Texas.

Source: MetroStars.com

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