Metros still can't figure out Revs

JUNE  26, 2004 -The New England Revolution continue to bedevil the MetroStars in league play, getting second-half goals from Felix Brillant and Clint Dempsey and outstanding efforts from goalkeepers Adin Brown and substitute Matt Reis as they claimed a 2-1 victory on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.

Rookies Brillant and Dempsey both scored on impressive individual efforts, Brillant getting his first career MLS goal and Dempsey his fourth, to leave the Revs unbeaten in their last eight regular season and MLS Cup games against the MetroStars. Brown made a number of top-class saves in the first half before giving way to Reis at halftime, who was beaten only by a stoppage-time penalty.

The match, more fiercely competed than the previous two matchups between these teams in 2004 (both draws), featured eight cautions and several heated exchanges, particularly late in the game as the MetroStars tried to fight their way back into the match.

A hard-fought and fast-paced first half saw physical play on both sides and just a handful of chances. A hard tackle from Dempsey in the 21st minute, as Metro midfielder Gilberto Flores tried to skip by on the right flank, forced the Brazilian off the field on a stretcher. Dempsey received a yellow card from referee Ramon Hernandez while Pablo Brenes replaced Gilberto, who was taken to the hospital for X-rays on his ankle.

Though there was little sustained pressure in the first half from either team, Brown made three tremendous saves on corner kicks. In the 17th minute, he slapped away a Jeff Parke header, and in the 27th and 45th minutes, Brown leapt to the right to hold headers from Ricardo Clark and Eddie Pope, respectively.

But the Revs 'keeper, who regained his starting place last week, was not be able to complete the game, as he left at halftime due to a head injury apparently suffered when he collided with midfielder Joey Franchino's knee on the save on Parke.

It didn't take long for the MetroStars to test Brown's replacement Reis, nearly going ahead on the hour mark on an 18-yard strike from forward Mike Magee, but the back-up 'keeper jumped to his left to grab the ball aimed for the upper corner.

The Revs grabbed the advantage in the 64th minute through Brillant, who again combined with Noonan to get beyond the Metros defense. After running onto the ball near the top of the box, Brillant fought off three defenders, refusing to go down as kept possession of the ball and poked it past a surprised Walker from 12 yards out.

Three minutes later, the Revolution doubled their advantage as Noonan chipped a perfectly-weighted ball behind the Metro defense for Dempsey to run onto, and he split two defenders at the top of the box before rounding both Craig Ziadie and Walker and slotting home.

After the second goal, the MetroStars brought on Fabian Taylor, switching to a 3-4-3 formation and increasing the pressure on the Revs' goal. Amado Guevara, Clark, Taylor and Magee all had chances to score, but it wasn't until the 90th minute that the Metros got one back.

A long ball was played into the Revolution penalty area, and as Magee tried to slip past Reis, the New England 'keeper was adjudged to have taken him down Magee in the box. Guevara stepped up to convert the penalty kick, driving his effort just under Reis's dive to his left, but it was too little too late for the MetroStars.

Source: MLSnet.com Staff

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