MetroStars Lose to Burn, 2-0

MetroStars Fall to Second Place in Eastern Conference; Travel to San Jose Next Saturday
Photo by Gerard Robbins / La Cancha

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (Saturday, June 5, 2004) – The Dallas Burn received second-half goals from forwards Eddie Johnson and Toni Nhleko as the Burn used a lethal counterattack on both occasions to snap a team-record tying four-game losing streak with a 2-0 victory against the MetroStars at Giants Stadium on Saturday night.

Johnson put the Burn ahead early in the second half on a well-crafted quick counter and Nhleko sealed the match in the 90th minute as both strikers converted passes from midfielder Ronnie O'Brien. Burn goalkeeper Scott Garlick was credited with his fourth shutout of the season as a solid Dallas squad ended the MetroStars' five-game unbeaten streak.

The home side nearly took the lead in the 10th minute when Dallas 'keeper Scott Garlick stopped a Mark Lisi shot from close range, but despite holding a majority of possession, the MetroStars’ attackers were unable to score against Garlick and a tight Burn defense.

The MetroStars then nearly went ahead in the 39th minute when a looping Jeff Parke header on a corner kick beat Garlick, but forward Jason Kreis was placed on the line to head the ball away.

Ronnie O'Brien, who was one of the most active players for his team in the first half, had a favorable opportunity two minutes into first-half added time when an Eddie Pope clearance fell to his feet just outside the box, but he sent his shot wide of the goal.

Just seconds into the second half, Dallas had three golden opportunities to take the lead but they were stoned by three amazing MetroStars’ saves. First, goalkeeper Jonny Walker used a reflex save to parry a Johnson header from point-blank range. The rebound then fell to Carey Talley, but his shot was cleared off the goal line by MetroStars captain Eddie Pope. That clearance bounced to the top of the box where Simo Valakari fired a shot that was blocked by a lunging Jeff Parke.

Continuing the pressure, the Burn went ahead in the 51st minute. Johnson and O'Brien played a nice one-two on the right flank to free O'Brien before the midfielder cut back a cross to the center of the area, where the wide-open forward’s first time shot gave Walker no chance. Johnson now has three goals this year.

As the MetroStars pressed to score the equalizer, Burn substitute striker Nhleko was presented with two scoring opportunities. First, in the 87th minute, a rare mistake by Parke allowed the ball to filter through to Nhleko, who broke in alone on goal. However, Walker was equal to the South African’s challenge and blocked Nhleko’s shot.

Minutes later, Nhleko had a second one-on-one opportunity in the 90th minute as O'Brien sprung him inside Dallas' half. The second-half substitute outran Joselito Vaca and after rounding Walker to the right, Nhleko made no mistake this time, and knocked the ball into an empty net for his third goal of the year.

Source: MetroStars.com

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