Being a Metros fan is a really tough. The team’s decade of futility has produced few shining moments – a one-goal loss in the 2000 MLS Cup semifinals at Chicago, a one-goal loss in the USOC Final to the Fire in 2003, and that’s about it. This past Saturday night at Arrowhead, however, the Metros showed heart, brains, and effort (all in the same match!) and beat Kansas City 1-0 to keep their slim playoffs hopes alive. Playing in front of a teeny-tiny crowd (mostly Tony Meola’s family and friends), the Metros got a lucky goal by Eddie Gaven shortly before half-time and played the final 35 minutes down a man after Tim Regan picked up a second yellow card. Meola got his first shutout since returning to the team earlier this season, and amazingly, the Metros got their first 1-0 victory of the year in their twenty-sixth match. Big ups to subs Chris Leitch and Mark Lisi, two defensive minded subs who showed their mettle staying behind the ball after the squad was reduced to ten men. The victory, the team’s first on the road since May, has the Metros within five points of Chicago and KC for the final Eastern spot. Metro should be rested for Saturday’s home clash vs. the Revs, though DC and Chicago face midweek competition that may hurt their league efforts this weekend. Here’s how the picture looks today:
The Current picture:
Team, Pts, GD, Matches remaining (Home/Away), Most Possible Points
1. New England 51, +19, (3/3), 69
2. DC United 44, +15, (3/2), 59
3. Kansas City 42, +10, (3/2), 57
4. Chicago 42, +1, (2/4), 60
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MetroStars 37, +4, (2/4), 55
Columbus 30, -10 (3/4) 51
Matches this week:
Tue 9/13: DCU vs. Univ. Catolica in Copa Sudamericana
Wed 9/14: FCD vs. CHI in US Open Cup
Sat 9/17: MET vs. NE, CMB vs. CHI, DCU vs COL, KC vs LA
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