MetroStars Fall to New England, 2-1
Joseph and Clark go for a header

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Rookie forward Pat Noonan netted his fourth and fifth goals of the season as the New England Revolution (7-9-8, 29pts) registered a 2-1 road victory over the MetroStars (9-7-7, 34pts) on Saturday night at Giants Stadium. Noonan, who also scored New England's only goal last weekend in a 2-1 loss in San Jose, registered his first multi-goal game of his career, producing in the clutch for a Revolution squad which traveled with a decimated forward corps and notched its second win in its last 12 league matches. It was also New England's first regulation victory at Giants Stadium since Sept. 2, 1998, a span of eight matches.

The Revolution kept pace in the Eastern Conference with both D.C. United (33pts) and the Columbus Crew (31pts), who also registered victories on Saturday night. New England currently stands in fifth place in the East, two points behind Columbus, but on the outside looking in to the postseason (the top four teams in each conference advance to the MLS Cup Playoffs). The MetroStars, who have won just one of their last seven matches, remain in second place but now see third-place D.C. United move to within one point in the battle for playoff positioning and home field advantage.

The first half, played at times under heavy rain, was dominated by the Revolution, which succeeded not only in combining efficiently in attack but also in registering a strong defensive performance. New England outshot the MetroStars 10-2 in the first half led by a dynamic midfield featuring playmaker Jose Cancela and the omnipresent Shalrie Joseph. A sturdy back line, tight marking on MetroStars playmaker Amado Guevara and inaccurate passes by the MetroStars prevented the home team from creating much in attack. The Metros forwards got behind the back line on one occasion as Bob Bradley's club failed to register a shot on goal in the first half.

New England took the early lead in the 11th minute taking advantage of a quick restart after Cancela was fouled on the left attacking flank. Joseph alertly delivered a through ball to Noonan, who entered the left side of the MetroStars penalty area. The rookie then cut inside, evading defender Craig Ziadie, before firing a right-footed shot which took a deflection off defender Steve Jolley and hit the back of the net.

The second half saw the MetroStars increase the attacking pressure with New England operating on the counterattack. Rookie forward Eddie Gaven had the MetroStars' first real scoring opportunity of the match in the 50th minute as his close-range right-footed shot was blocked by goalkeeper Adin Brown for a corner kick. That chance was followed by another in the 64th minute as defender Steve Jolley connected on a Guevara cross from the left side of the box. Jolley's shot was deflected on its way to goal but Brown was alert to the redirection and swatted the ball away.

The MetroStars brought on rookie forward Mike Magee in the 63rd minute seeking fresh legs in attack but the Revolution doubled their lead in the 72nd minute. From the right attacking flank Cancela sent a crossfield pass to Noonan, who had time to bring down the ball and take aim at the net. He fired a right-footed blast from 20 yards out near the top of the box which found the top right corner of the goal.

Jolley gave his team hope by reducing the deficit to 2-1 with an 81st minute strike. On a Magee corner kick from the right side, defender Eddie Pope flicked the ball on to the far left post where an unmarked Jolley met the ball on the bounce and knocked it home for his third goal of the year.

Reigning MLS Player of the Week Clint Mathis had the opportunity to equalize in the 88th minute but missed the target. A cross from the left flank by Joey DiGiamarino found Mathis in the center of the box and the MetroStars leading scorer sent a right-footed volley wide left of the goal.

A relatively clean match would end with a skirmish in the third minute of second half added time after a hard foul by Pope on Cancela, who was surrounded by three defenders on the play. The veteran Pope was cautioned on the play.

The Revolution played the match with a depleted forward corps, missing their top two all-time leading scorers – Joe-Max Moore and Taylor Twellman – and newcomer Chris Brown. Twellman, the team's leading scorer, missed his third consecutive match and continues to recover from the concussion and facial injuries suffered in an Aug. 23 match against the Los Angeles Galaxy while Moore (left knee sprain) and Brown (right leg contusion) are also recovering from injury.

The visiting Revolution also missed regular defender Rusty Pierce who was out due to suspension. Pierce had missed the first matchup between the two clubs back on July 12 in Foxboro (3-3 tie) and Daouda Kante made his first start since July 27. Midfielder Mark Lisi was unavailable for the MetroStars as he was away in Colorado to attend his sister's wedding.

The victory by New England, its first road win in its last nine matches, was only its second in the last nine regular season meetings between the two teams. Saturday's match was the second of four regular season matchups between the two rivals on the campaign and the two clubs will conclude their season with a home-and-home series.

The MetroStars continue a three-game Eastern Conference homestand next Saturday, Sept. 20 when they welcome the Columbus Crew at Giants Stadium (7:30PM ET). The Revolution will be in action two days before when they kick off the next slate of MLS matches with a Thursday night nationally televised home match against the red-hot Colorado Rapids (7:30PM ET – ESPN2).

Source: MetroStars.com

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