MLS Red Bull New York

MetroStars Fall to Revs, 2-1

Published on October 18, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Red Bull New York News Release


EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (Saturday, October 18, 2003) - A 38th minute goal by rookie Pat Noonan proved the game-winner as the New England Revolution (11-9-9, 42pts) captured their second regular season victory at Giants Stadium with a 2-1 win over the MetroStars (11-9-9, 42pts) on Saturday night.

Although both teams have already clinched MLS Cup Playoff berths in the Eastern Conference, the three points allowed New England to overtake the MetroStars for second place in the East based on the head-to-head series tiebreaker. The Revolution lead the season series 2-0-1 with one game left between the two teams next weekend in the regular season finale at Gillette Stadium. The team that finishes in second place in the East will have home field advantage thus hosting Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Dario Fabbro scored his first goal of the season in the 15th minute after a Brian Kamler centering pass from the left side of the box was parried away by MetroStars goalkeeper Jonny Walker. The ball fell to the feet of Fabbro at the top of the six-yard box and he reacted by poking it into an empty net for his first tally since July 13, 2002 against New England when he played for the Kansas City Wizards.

Pat Noonan, who scored two goals at Giants Stadium in the last regular season match between the two teams in a 2-1 September 13 Revolution victory, scored New England's second goal in the 37th minute. The Indiana University product stripped the ball from MetroStars captain Steve Jolley, the last defender on the play. Noonan sprinted into the MetroStars penalty area and chipped the ball over Walker for his seventh goal of the campaign and his fourth regular season tally against the MetroStars this season.

The MetroStars had the chance to reduce the deficit two minutes before halftime as goalkeeper Matt Reis blocked a shot by MetroStars forward John Wolyniec and Revolution defender Jay Heaps cleared the subsequent Amado Guevara shot off the goal line.

Veteran Polish forward Andrzej Juskowiak came on as a substitute in the 72nd minute and scored only three minutes later to pull the MetroStars within a goal. Another second half substitute, Mark Lisi, fed a through ball to Juskowiak and the former Bundesliga striker dribbled by defender Daouda Kante and fired home for his first career MLS goal. Lisi, who registered his 10th helper of 2003, is now tied for the team lead in assists with teammate Guevara.

Despite a couple of late flurries in a crowded Revolution penalty area in the final minutes, the MetroStars could not find the equalizer. Bob Bradley's squad, which was coming off a 1-0 loss in the 2003 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final on Wednesday night at the hands of the Chicago Fire, were missing defender and captain Eddie Pope (left strained intercostals) and left back Edgar Bartolomeu (left shoulder separation). Rookie Eddie Gaven, who turns 17 on October 25, and Wolyniec formed the forward tandem while Clint Mathis played in an attacking midfield role. Richie Williams sat out the match with Tim Regan taking his place in central midfield while Jolley wore the captain's armband in Pope's absence.

The two teams face off in the regular season finale for both sides next Saturday, October 25 at 4:00 p.m. ET.

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

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Major League Soccer Stories from October 18, 2003


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