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MetroStars Over Power Rough Riders 2-1

July 14, 2004 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Long Island Rough Riders News Release


( Plainview , N.Y, July 13, 2004 ) –"The Battle For New York" lived up to all it's hype, and much more. Mother Nature played games all afternoon, but finally decided to let up just before game time to let the two teams do battle. The Rough Riders came in having won four of their last five, while the MetroStars had dropped three of their last four. Unfortunately for the Rough Riders, momentum was not enough to overtake the powerful MetroStars as the MLS club came out on top by the final of 2-1.

The start of the game saw the Rough Riders on their heels with constant pressure from the MetroStars. An apparent early goal by the MetroStars was called off when the officials determined John Wolyniec, a former Rough Riders player, touched the ball while in an offside position. Minutes later, the MetroStars pressure paid off as Craig Ziadie was able to send a low cross from the right flank into the box which skidded past two Rough Riders defenders and keeper Dan Sirota to a wide open Wolyniec, who touched it in for a 1-0 MetroStars lead.

The MetroStars continued their constant barrage of pressure against the Rough Riders defense. The resilience of the MetroStars paid off once again in the thirty-fifth minute when substitute Cornell Glen served a low skidding ball from the right side of the box to a cutting Sergio Galvan Rey. Galvan Rey unleashed a rocket from about 8 yards out past keeper Dan Sirota into the bottom left corner of the net, giving the MetroStars a 2-0 lead.

At half-time, a special ceremony took place to honor US National Team Player Chris Armas as the initial member of the Long Island Rough Riders "Hall Of Fame". Armas was a member of the Rough Riders during their initial two seasons, winning a National Championship with the franchise in 1995. Chris Armas appreciated the occasion. "I am very honored, because this is where it all started for me. I gained alot of experience under Alfonso Mondelo and some of the guys that are still with the team. I am honored to be here tonight." Armas was escorted out to the ceremony by the members of the Long Island Rough Riders 21 Super-Y League teams, the largest such player developmental program in the country.

The second half began with the Rough Riders out to prove that the first half was nothing more than sloppy play, mixed with a sloppy field. The Rough Riders put constant pressure on the MetroStars defense and were nearly rewarded in the fifty-third minute when Ricky Blanchard uncorked a bending shot with the outside of his right foot that curled slightly wide of the left post.

The persistent play of the Rough Riders helped them to finally get on the board in the eightieth minute when Moussa Sy played a low line driven cross from the top right side of the eighteen yard box. Sy's cross skidded past MetroStars keeper Zach Wells to an open Sean Higgins who tapped the ball into the open net.

The goal by Higgins rejuvenated the Rough Riders as they pushed forward with all they had left. They nearly struck again in the eighty-seventh minute when a shot by Sean Higgins was slightly deflected by the finger tips of Zach Wells, pushing the ball past the end line, and ultimately preserving the MetroStars 2-1 victory.

Long Island Head Coach Ronan Wiseman said of his team, "It was a decent performance. Even though it was a "friendly" contest, I think we gave them too much respect in the first half."

The Rough Riders next home game takes place against the Harrisburg City Islanders on Saturday-July 17 th at 7:30pm . All home games are played at Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale , NY . The Rough Riders trail the Islanders by five points for the final playoff spot in the Atlantic division. For further team and ticket information, please contact the team office at 516-671-1585 or check out the team website at www.liroughriders.com .

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