MetroStars Stay Atop Conference, Draw 1-1 with Columbus Crew

Metros Lead Eastern Conference by Two Points; Wolyniec Notches Seventh Goal of Season

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (Sunday, August 29, 2004) – The MetroStars battled the Columbus Crew to a 1-1 draw Sunday evening at Giants Stadium. John Wolyniec’s first half goal was enough to help the Metros’ maintain their two point lead in the East Conference.

John Wolyniec forced a rebound of an Amado Guevara free kick over the line to give the Metros a 21st-minute lead, and then Ross Paule converted a penalty kick 14 minutes later to cap the scoring.

Guevara was then sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card, meaning that he will miss the MetroStars game against New England on September 11 (He will miss the MetroStars game in Kansas City next Saturday, as he will be with the Honduran National Team for a World Cup Qualifier).

Metros coach Bob Bradley was forced to make his first substitution after just 20 minutes, when Bolivian international Joselito Vaca was caught in a tackle and suffered what was later diagnosed as a sprained MCL in his right knee. Bradley brought on Pablo Brenes, who rejoined the team on Wednesday after competing in the Olympics with the Costa Rican team.

Finally the Metros struck home off of a free kick from the left that saw Guevara whip a curling ball over the wall which Crew goalkeeper Jon Busch could only tip off the crossbar. Wolyniec came into the six-yard box, and knocked the loose ball in from close range. The tally was Wolyniec’s seventh of the season.

The Crew pulled level after Kyle Martino was hauled down in the area, following a quick run where he tried to split a pair of Metros defenders, and referee Jair Marrufo whistled the play dead, calling Jeff Parke for getting his foot in late, and he awarded the Crew a penalty kick.

Ross Paule converted from the spot, rifling a low shot to the left of Walker, who guessed correctly but wasn't able to keep out Paule's fourth goal of the campaign.

The woodwork was also the MetroStars best friend on a pair of occasions. In the first half, just before the equalizer, rookie defender Chad Marshall got up for a clear header on a corner, only to see his bid for a first professional goal come back off the left-hand post.

Then in the second half Edson Buddle appeared to have finished off a fine movement with a low drive ticketed for the lower corner, only for that too to come back off the post and again save the home side.

There were plenty of dramatics after the clock ticked over for the full 90 minutes. After being booked for protesting a foul suffered on the sideline in the 87th minute, Guevara received a second yellow card five minutes later in similar circumstances, after he was again hooked down from behind in midfield and then complained to Marrufo.

The Crew nearly took advantage. Marshall again got free on a corner and sent a header towards the goal that was headed inside the post, but Brenes held his position and was there to clear off the line. The rebound eventually came back out to Duncan Oughton in the heart of the area, but his quick shot just missed the frame.

Source: MetroStars.com

Videos	New Posters	CALENDARS	Books	Magazines	Games