MLS Red Bull New York

MetroStars Clinch Second Consecutive Playoff Berth with 2-0 Win Over Dallas Burn

Published on September 25, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Red Bull New York News Release


DALLAS, TX (Saturday, September 25, 2004) – MetroStars Playoff Fever (MPF) will again be sweeping the tri-state area, as the "Red and Black" clinched a berth in the 2004 MLS Cup Playoffs with a 2-0 win over the Burn tonight at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX. John Wolyniec and Cornell Glen tallied goals for the Metros in the shutout win.

The MetroStars defense looked to show it had learned its lesson from last week's 4-2 loss to the Columbus Crew and did well to limit the Burn's chances, however just after the quarter-hour, Burn midfielder Oscar Pareja slipped a through ball to Eddie Johnson near the left touchline, and goalkeeper Jonny Walker was called on to snuff out Johnson's cross before Jason Kreis could get to it, keeping the match scoreless.

Dallas left back Milton Reyes also found room to run, continually looking to get forward to join the attack. Midway through the first half, Reyes easily beat Craig Ziadie just outside the box, and Metros captain Eddie Pope had to slide into the path of Reyes' centering effort to prevent the Honduran from connecting with the wide-open Bobby Rhine at the top of the box.

On the half-hour, Ziadie was able to get some payback, helping to give the MetroStars the lead at Reyes' expense. Midfielder Amado Guevara lofted a pass to Ziadie, who won a foot race with Reyes to get to the ball on the right. Ziadie carried the ball to the end line and hooked a rolling pass back to the top of the six-yard box where Wolyniec beat Steve Jolley to the ball and powered it into the roof of the net.

Nine minutes later, Carey Talley nearly brought the home side level, but after chesting down a Brad Davis cross, Talley could only find Walker with his shot. Walker again helped keep the Metros in the lead as the first half expired, punching down a cross from Johnson. The ball fell to the right foot of Davis, but the Burn midfielder, under pressure from a defender, pushed his shot wide.

As the second half opened, the Metros again had to turn away a Burn attack, as Johnson played a through ball to Kreis to spring him beyond the defense. Rookie defender Jeff Parke was on his toes, though, and stopped the Dallas captain with a well-timed slide.

With time running out, the Burn pushed forward with urgency but couldn't create a real threat to the Metros goal. Despite winning nine corner kicks, the Burn did not put a single shot on goal in the second half.

Then deep into stoppage time, Glen took advantage of a counter-attacking opportunity, turning Jolley on the left touchline at the midfield stripe and setting off on a long run to the top of the area before slotting the ball home past Burn 'keeper Jeff Cassar to put the game on ice.

The MetroStars (11-10-6) return home next weekend when the host D.C. United and 15-year old Freddy Adu for the second time this season. The Metros have slit their contests with United this season, winning at home on April 17th 3-2 and falling to D.C. on the road 6-2 on July 3rd. Tickets are available for all MetroStars home games at the Continental Airlines Arena box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets will also be available through Ticketmaster by phone for callers in New Jersey (201-507-8900), New York (212-307-7171), and for Spanish-speaking customers throughout New York and New Jersey (212-307-4757).

MLSnet.com Man of the Match: Eddie Pope (MetroStars)

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 25, 2004


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