MetroStars Fall to New England, 2-5

FOXBORO, MA – Rookie forward Pat Noonan netted his first career hat trick and fourth in team history as the New England Revolution (12-9-9, 45pts) defeated the MetroStars (11-10-9, 42pts) 5-2 in the regular season finale for both teams at Gillette Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Noonan, who now has 10 goals on the campaign, has scored seven goals against the MetroStars in 2003. The rookie's 27 points (10 goals, seven assists) are just one point behind Chicago Fire forward Damani Ralph (28 points on 11 goals and six assists) for the League rookie scoring lead. The Revolution conclude the season having won six of their last seven games (6-0-1) while the MetroStars, who rested several of their starters, enter the postseason winless in their final four matches (0-3-1).

The New England win secures second place in the Eastern Conference for the Revolution and home field advantage for Game Two of the home-and-away Eastern Conference semifinal series against the MetroStars, who missed the chance to overtake the Revolution and thus remain in third place. The Eastern Conference semifinal series between the two teams begins next Saturday, Nov. 1 at Giants Stadium (5:00 p.m. ET) and the second leg will be played on Sunday, Nov. 9 at Gillette Stadium (4:00 p.m. ET). The winner of the aggregate-goal series advances to the Eastern Conference Championship game. If the series is tied on aggregate goals after regulation of Game Two, the teams will play a 30-minute golden goal extra-time period and proceed to a penalty kick shootout if necessary.

In an entertaining first half the teams exchanged scoring opportunities. In the 12th minute a Brian Kamler cross from the left turned into a shot on goal and grazed the crossbar over the head of MetroStars goalkeeper Paul Grafer. The MetroStars would strike the woodwork as well in the 23rd minute as forward John Wolyniec collected a cross in the box off his chest, splitting two defenders and firing a left-footed blast from 10 yards out against the left post. Metros defender Edgar Bartolomeu cleared a Shalrie Joseph header off the line (30th minute) while Metros defender Juan Forchetti just missed knocking home a loose ball in front of the Revolution goal (37th minute).

The Revolution opened the scoring with two goals in the final four minutes of the first half as forwards Dario Fabbro and Noonan once again scored against the MetroStars a week after netting their team's two goals in a 2-1 victory at Giants Stadium. In the 41st minute Steve Ralston made fine dribbling move and converged from the right flank to the center, feeding Noonan who sent a left-footed shot inside the right post. In the 45th minute it was another Ralston service, this time a heel pass, which sent the ball into the path of Fabbro and the Argentine's shot from just inside the box deflected off MetroStars defender Joe Addo inside the right post for his second goal of the year.

The teams then combined for five goals in 19 minutes in an explosive start to the second half. In the 51st minute Noonan made the score 3-0 on a fortuitous close-range deflection of an attempted header clearance by Forchetti. The ball drifted over Grafer for Noonan's second goal of the game.

In the 59th minute the MetroStars reduced the deficit on a penalty kick as Mark Lisi converted from the spot for his first goal of the year to make the score 3-1. Revolution defender Rusty Pierce brought down Tim Regan at the left corner of the penalty area to lead to the penalty kick. Just three minutes later the visitors could have added a second goal but Revolution goalkeeper Adin Brown made a reaction save on an Eddie Gaven header and forward Mike Nugent deflected the rebound off the left post from just two yards away.

However, the Revolution promptly scored two goals in the span of two minutes to expand their lead to a four-goal advantage, 5-1. Kamler provided the final pass on both goals. In the 66th minute he weaved his way down the heart of the MetroStars defense and laid the ball to Ralston who slotted the ball home for his fourth goal of the year. In the 68th minute Kamler once again accelerated down the left flank toward the MetroStars penalty area and delivered a square ball in the center of the box where Noonan evaded Regan and calmly knocked the ball into the back of the net to round out his hat trick. Jose Cancela's assist on the play, his seventh of the year, tied him for the team lead with Noonan.

The MetroStars pulled one back with another goal two minutes later as rookie midfielder Jacob LeBlanc sent a right-footed shot from the top of the box which rolled under a defender and inside the left post for his second tally of the year. By then, however, the game had little left to be decided and Revolution rookies Ibrahim Kante and Chris Bagley came into the match for Noonan and Fabbro with the three points well in hand for the home team.

MetroStars Head Coach Bob Bradley rested several of his starters for the final game of the regular season. Not making the trip to Foxboro were forward Clint Mathis (22 starts), playmaker Amado Guevara (25 starts), rookie Mike Magee (19 starts), defender Steve Jolley (23 starts), midfield fixture Richie Williams (26 starts), captain and defender Eddie Pope (20 starts), recently acquired Andrzej Juskowiak and reserve midfielder Jose Galvan. Regulars Ricardo Clark (28 starts), right back Chris Leitch (10 starts), left back Joey DiGiamarino (16 starts) and starting goalkeeper Jonny Walker (14 starts) were available off the bench for the MetroStars.

With the absences forward Mike Nugent made his first appearance in a MetroStars jersey in League action and midfielder Jacob LeBlanc made his first start since the first match of the season on April 12. Backup goalkeeper Paul Grafer earned his first start since a June 21 shutout at Giants Stadium against the Los Angeles Galaxy. Grafer also started in the season finale at Gillette Stadium last year in which the MetroStars dropped a 3-0 result and were eliminated from the postseason. Jamaican international right back Craig Ziaidie made his last start back on September 13.

The Revolution, who continue to miss forwards Taylor Twellman and Chris Brown due to season-ending injuries also played without the club's all-time leading scorer Joe-Max Moore (left knee sprain) and regular right back Jay Heaps (right hip flexor strain).

MLS Man of the Match: Pat Noonan (New England Revolution)

Source: MetroStars.com

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