MetroStars Score Three Unanswered Goals to Tie Revolution, 3-3

FOXBOROUGH, MA (Saturday, July 12, 2003) – The MetroStars mounted a thrilling second-half comeback to reach a 3-3 draw with the New England Revolution Saturday afternoon at Gillette Stadium. Revolution forward Taylor Twellman recorded a goal and two assists to help lift the home squad to a 3-0 lead, but three unanswered goals by the Metros in the second half secured the road point.

The scoring started when Joe-Max Moore swung the ball out to the far post on a corner kick picking out Taylor Twellman in the penalty area. The New England forward avoided the MetroStars’ Chris Leitch and nodded a powerful header from close range past MetroStars goalkeeper Tim Howard for the lead in the seventh minute of play. Richie Williams made a last-ditch effort to clear the shot off of the line, but the ball had already cleared the entirety of the goal line before he was able to make contact. The goal was Twellman’s ninth of the season, marking his third consecutive game with a goal.

The Revolution doubled the lead in the 37th minute with a long string of short passes from midfield. Moore played the ball to midfielder Shalrie Joseph with a deft heel flick, who immediately sent the ball back into the path of Moore. Moore played the ball to a waiting Twellman, who once again completed the give-and-go as Moore blazed past MetroStars defender Juan Forchetti. Moore collected the ball at the edge of the box, picking out the low corner with a well-placed shot to the far side netting.

In the 50th minute Joe Franchino drove a long free kick to Twellman at the far side of the penalty area. Twellman again evaded Leitch, knocking the ball back to Moore at the top of the area. Moore lashed a quick, low shot towards the net, where a lurking Pat Noonan was able to redirect it past Howard and the MetroStars defense for the 3-0 lead. The tally was Noonan’s third of the season.

The MetroStars began a thrilling rally in the 66th minute, when second-half substitute John Wolyniec finished off a long ball into space from Mark Lisi. Revolution defender Jay Heaps attempted to ride Wolyniec off the ball on the left side of the penalty area, but Wolyniec outlasted the challenge and cut the ball back inside. Heaps and Daouda Kante converged to prevent the run, but Wolyniec’s shot cut through the defenders and cleanly beat ‘keeper Adin Brown.

Bouyed by the goal, the MetroStars pushed forward, throwing numbers into the penalty area. In the 73rd minute, Mike Magee made a threatening run on net, attempting to link up with a Lisi pass inside the box. Kante made a strong defensive challenge, knocking Magee off the ball and playing the ball back to Brown. Brown attempted to clear the ball with his feet, attempting to avoid the potential back pass call, when disaster struck. Brown’s clearance attempt struck Kante in the face with force, sending the ball right back on goal. Magee trotted alongside the ball, escorting the own goal into the net and watching as the Revolution lead was cut to one.

In the 76th minute, Ricardo Clark continued his tremendous rookie season, nodding home his third goal in three weeks to knot the game at 3-3. Lisi, afforded plenty of time to set up a cross, sent a high ball into the box from the left flank. Clark moved underneath the ball unchallenged, and sent the header past Brown from point-blank range to send the match into overtime.

Overtime was highlighted by a pair of brilliant saves as the clock began to wind down. In the 98th minute, Joe Franchino ran down the left flank and split two defenders before taking his shot at the near corner. His shot went through the legs of Howard, but the Metros `keeper managed to touch the ball behind him with the back of his hand, sending safely over the endline for the corner.

Wolyniec provided one last spark for the Metros in the 99th minute, rushing into the box and taking a low, hard shot on Brown. Brown made the initial save, but the rebound fell right back to the feet of Wolyniec. Wolyniec took another shot with Brown on the ground and out of position, but Revolution `keeper somehow managed one last save, reaching out one hand to stop the golden goal attempt.

The MetroStars (7-4-4, 25 points) have played four consecutive overtime games, and stretch their current undefeated streak to three games. The Eastern Conference leading MetroStars next face the Dallas Burn on Saturday, July 19th at Dragon Stadium in Southlake, Texas. New England (5-3-6. 21 points) also face the Burn in their next match, squaring off against Dallas on Wednesday, July 16th at Gillette Stadium.

MLS Man of the Match - John Wolyniec [MetroStars]

Source: MetroStars.com

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