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MLS New England Revolution

Revs drop 5-4 shootout to MetroStars

September 17, 2005 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


East Rutherford, N.J. - The New England Revolution (15-6-6, 51 pts.) were defeated by Eastern Conference foes the MetroStars (10-7-10, 40 pts.) 5-4 in front of 17,031 fans at Giants Stadium on Saturday night. Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph scored the Revs first two goals, and midfielder Clint Dempsey and forward Taylor Twellman each added a goal for the visitors. MetroStars forward Mike Magee and captain Youri Djorkaeff both had two-goal nights for the MetroStars; midfielder Amado Guevara scored for the home side as well.

The MetroStars got on the board first when Magee scored his third goal of the season in the seventh minute of the match. Djorkaeff crossed a ball from the right flank of the midfield to the top left corner of the area. Magee, running in toward the left post, chested the ball down and took a left-footed shot into the upper, near post past Revs goalkeeper Matt Reis and the MetroStars took the 1-0 lead.

New England went close in the 12th minute when midfielder Steve Ralston crossed a ball into the area from the right corner. Twellman, streaking down the center channel, connected an on-target header. MetroStars goalkeeper Tony Meola, however, made the save and kept the Revolution off the board.

The Revs went close again in the 18th minute on a shot by Dempsey. Defender Jay Heaps threw the ball in from the right sideline at midfield to Joseph. Joseph one touched a pass through to Dempsey, who dribbled up the right flank. From about 30 yards out, Dempsey blasted a shot to the far post, however, the ball was wide left and the Revs remained scoreless.

A minute and a half later, Ralston took a long-range shot after Heaps passed a ball up the right flank to Ralston. Ralston made a run past three MetroStars defenders, before turning and taking a shot to the near post. Meola was able to save the shot and the game remained 1-0.

New England evened the score when Joseph scored his fifth goal of the season off of a free kick in the 29th minute. After MetroStars defender Chris Leitch fouled Dempsey, Revolution captain Joe Franchino served an angled, lofted free kick into a crowded penalty area from 20 yards off the endline on the left flank. Joseph was able to create some separation from his marker, MetroStars forward Ante Razov, and leap above the crowd. Joseph flicked a header down and into the back of the net to even the score at 1-1.

The Revs went close again in the 36th minute with another Dempsey long-range shot. Revolution midfielder Daniel Hernandez passed a forward ball to Dempsey who ran up the center channel before taking a shot from 35 yards out. Dempsey's shot was high and the score remained tied.

At the end of the first half, New England had another opportunity when Ralston sent a cross in from the right corner. Twellman, running to the far post, was able to take a first-time shot, however, Meola deflected it out and over the endline to keep the score even.

The MetroStars regained the lead in the 51st minute when Djorkaeff scored his eighth goal of the season. Razov flicked a ball over Hernandez's head to Guevara. Guevara, in the center channel, passed a ball to the Djorkaeff running up the left flank. Reis ran off his line and Djorkaeff was able to round him before slotting the ball inside the far, right post to give the MetroStars the 2-1 lead.

The MetroStars increased their lead in the 59th minute when Guevara scored his 10th goal of the season. Razov sent a ball from the center channel to the left flank with defender Tim Ward running up the left side. Ward was able to slide and get a first touch that sent the ball into the area. Guevara, running in on the right post, was able to connect and shoot with power into the upper part of the net past Reis to give the MetroStars the 3-1 lead.

New England cut their Eastern Conference rivals lead in half when Joseph scored his second goal of the match in the 61st minute during a scramble in front of the goalmouth. After Twellman overran a pass into the goalmouth, Ralston gathered the ball and took a shot, however, Meola deflected it back out to Ralston. Ralston passed the deflection over Meola and toward the far, left post. Joseph connected with a diving header and pushed the ball over the line to cut the Metros lead to just one goal.

New England's attacking onslaught continued when the Revolution evened the score in the 71st minute when Dempsey scored his ninth goal of the season. Revolution forward Pat Noonan sent a cross in from the right flank and Twellman attempted to head the ball into the goalmouth to tie the game. Meola, however, deflected the ball back out while Dempsey was running in toward the goalkeeper. Dempsey connected with his right leg and put the ball into the back of the net to tie the game 3-3.

New England's remarkable comeback continued when the Revs took the lead for the first time of the match in the 74th minute after MLS MVP candidate Twellman scored his 15th goal of the season. In the right flank with his back to goal, Noonan passed a ball back to Joseph in the center channel. Joseph sent a lofted ball toward the goalmouth and Twellman headed the ball into the back of the net to give the Revs the 4-3 lead.

The MetroStars evened the score two minutes later when Magee scored his second goal of the match. Similar to the previous Revolution goal, Razov, with his back to goal in the right flank, sent a ball to MetroStars midfielder Michael Bradley in the center channel. Bradley lofted a through ball to Magee who was able to place a shot past Reis and even the score, 4-4.

The MetroStars took the lead in the 86th minute when Djorkaeff scored his second goal of the night. After beating Revolution substitute forward Khano Smith and captain Joe Franchino in the right corner, Djorkaeff blasted a ball in toward the near post. Reis, cheating slightly off his line, got a hand to the shot, however, it rolled inside the near post and gave the MetroStars the 5-4 lead.

The Revolution will play at the Columbus Crew at 7:30 p.m. this coming Wednesday, September 21. The Revs then return home for a rematch with the MetroStars at 7:30 p.m. next Saturday, September 24 at Gillette Stadium. For ticket information, call 1-877-GET-REVS.

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