MetroStars Drop 6-2 Decision to D.C. United

MetroStars’ Eddie Gaven Tallies One Goal and One Assist in Contest

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Saturday, July 3, 2004) – D.C. United's struggling offense came to life at the perfect time on Saturday afternoon, scoring a jaw-dropping six goals and beating the MetroStars 6-2, at RFK Stadium. Alecko Eskandarian scored a pair of goals for the second time in three matches as United scored six goals for the first time in a league match since July 7, 1996.

Former MetroStar, Jaime Moreno scored a goal and assisted on two others, while Ryan Nelsen, Earnie Stewart and Ben Olsen all put their names on the scoresheet as United took over first place in the Eastern Conference from their rivals in the second meeting of the "Atlantic Cup" this season.

Bobby Convey, playing in an attacking midfield role, looked energetic and aggressive, leading wave after wave of D.C. counterattacks. United had superior possession in the early going, but looked uncomfortable with the MetroStars fluid attacking, which paid off in the 19th minute when they drew first blood.

Amado Guevara scooped a beautiful ball over the top and Eddie Gaven beat the D.C. offside trap and chipped United goalkeeper Troy Perkins. It was a beautiful finish from the red-hot Gaven, who has now scored four goals in the last four games. Then moments later, Metro striker Sergio Galvan Rey cut back on Nelsen and hit a low shot just inches wide of Perkins' right post.

But United showed signs of recovery when Moreno's goalbound shot in the 25th minute was skillfully blocked by defender Eddie Pope. Five minutes later, Eskandarian's hard work in the corner was rewarded as Jeff Parke was forced to commit a foul on the D.C. striker. On the ensuing free kick, Nelsen rose above the crowd to head home Convey's in-swinging service, the first goal of the season for United's captain, just returned from a groin injury.

Crucially, United was able to steal a goal from Metros 'keeper Jonny Walker in the 38th minute. Instead of clearing a back pass, Walker tried to trick the pressuring Moreno, and was punished as Moreno poked the ball away and finished into an empty net.

Just four minutes later, another D.C. counterattack resulted in a goal for Eskandarian, who shook his marker and powered home a low near-post cross from Olsen to send United into the break ahead by two goals. The architect of the move was Moreno, who carried the ball half the length of the field before springing Olsen just outside the MetroStars box.

The second half kicked off with pace and intensity, with referee Jair Marrufo handing out a rash of cards as tempers flared. But United struck first in the 57th minute, when stealing a page from the MetroStars' Gaven, Earnie Stewart timed his run to beat the offsides trap as Kovalenko played a perfectly flighted ball into the box. With tons of time and space, Stewart waited for Walker to commit, then coolly slotted home between the 'keeper's legs.

Down 4-1, Metros coach Bob Bradley looked for instant offense, throwing on Jamaican goalscorer Fabian Taylor. The substitution payed off immediately, as Taylor scored from close range after Gaven showed impressive skill and strength in the corner, shrugging off Kovalenko and Brian Carroll in a mazy run through several defenders on the left flank.

Desperate for an unlikely comeback, the MetroStars threw numbers into the attack but were punished in the 69th minute. Moreno shredded the defense again, dispossessing Pablo Brenes and charging into the box before sending a low cross to Eskandarian at the far post. Eskandarian had the easiest of tap-ins for his second goal of the match and his sixth of the year.

Walker's and the MetroStars' woeful day ended with an injury time goal from Olsen, who smashed a free kick under the Metro wall and past the despondent 'keeper three minutes into stoppage time.

Source: Metrostars.com

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