E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Playing arguably their best defensive game of the year, the MetroStars made sure Amado Guevara's first-half goal held up, defeating the top-seeded New England Revolution 1-0 at cold and rainy Giants Stadium on Saturday night in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series.
It was the MetroStars first playoff win since Sept. 26, 2001, when the Metros drubbed Los Angeles 4-1 at Giants Stadium. It also was the third win in four matches (along with a draw) for interim coach Mo Johnston since he took over for the dismissed Bob Bradley.
A tie or a win at Gillette Stadium next Saturday and the Metros advance to the Eastern Conference Championship.
The Metros were composed and defended collectively, shutting down New England's dangerous attacking trio of Pat Noonan, Taylor Twellman and Clint Dempsey. And whenever Shalrie Joseph touched the ball, the Metros defenders quickly closed him down and fouled him when necessary.
Seth Stammler, who made his fourth start of the year for the MetroStars, was particularly impressive in limiting Steve Ralston's ability down the right flank.
The only quality scoring chances the Revs had were a Marshall Leonard touch wide of goalkeeper Tony Meola, a Twellman chip over the bar when two Metros defenders converged on him and a Noonan shot wide of Meola's left from 22 yards out in stoppage time.
Meola made three first half saves to record his eighth career postseason shutout.
The MetroStars took a well-deserved lead in the 34th minute when Youri Djorkaeff turned after receiving Stammler's throw-in and slotted it to Guevara. The Honduran international blasted the ball inside the left side of the net from 26 yards out for his second career playoff goal.
Instead of playing in a defensive shell, the Metros continued to attack in the second half. Djorkaeff put a crafty free kick just wide to the right of goalkeeper Matt Reis in the 62nd minute and nine minutes later Djorkaeff played Guevara in on goal, but his shot was saved by Reis.
MLSnet.com Man of the Match: Youri Djorkaeff (MetroStars)
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
New England Revolution
(17-8-8)
vs. MetroStars
(13-9-11)
October 22, 2005 -- Giants Stadium
Scoring Summary:
MET --
Amado Guevara 12
(Youri Djorkaeff 8, Seth Stammler 2)
34
New England Revolution -- Matt Reis, Jay Heaps, Steve Ralston, Michael Parkhurst, Joe Franchino, Clint Dempsey, Daniel Hernandez, Shalrie Joseph, Marshall Leonard
(Khano Smith 78), Taylor Twellman, Pat Noonan.
Substitutes Not Used: Jose Cancela, Ricardo Phillips, James Riley, Doug Warren
MetroStars -- Tony Meola, Jason Hernandez, Carlos Mendes, Jeff Agoos, Eddie Gaven, Mark Lisi, Amado Guevara, Michael Bradley, Seth Stammler, Youri Djorkaeff, Sergio Galvan Rey.
Substitutes Not Used: Chris Leitch, Mike Magee, Jeff Parke, Eric Quill, Ante Razov, Tim Regan, Ryan Suarez, Tim Ward, Zach Wells
| MetroStars | New England Revolution |
| total shots: | 14 |
(Youri Djorkaeff 4,
Amado Guevara 4)
| 11 |
(Pat Noonan 3,
Steve Ralston 3)
|
| shots on goal: | 7 |
(Sergio Galvan Rey 2,
Amado Guevara 2)
| 3 |
(Steve Ralston 2)
|
| fouls: | 24 |
(Seth Stammler 5)
| 19 |
(Shalrie Joseph 6,
Marshall Leonard 6)
|
| offsides: | 5 |
(Sergio Galvan Rey 4)
| 5 |
(Pat Noonan 2)
|
| corner kicks: | 3 |
(3 tied with 1)
| 4 |
(Steve Ralston 4)
|
| saves: | 3 |
(Tony Meola 3)
| 6 |
(Matt Reis 6)
|
Misconduct Summary:
MET -- Seth Stammler (caution; Professional Foul) 41
NE -- Shalrie Joseph (caution; Pushing, Holding) 43
MET -- Youri Djorkaeff (caution; Pushing, Holding) 74
referee: Ricardo Valenzuela
Referee's Assistants: Craig Lowry; George Vergara
4th official: Mark Geiger
time of game: 1:50
attendance: 10,003
weather: Rain -and- 48 degrees
All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial
