The MetroStars left Giants Stadium on Saturday knowing they played their best game of the year at home, knowing they pushed the class of MLS to the brink.
But they also know that -- thanks to an 83rd-minute goal by John Wolyniec -- they were six minutes from their first home win, and that's what hurts the most after a 2-2 draw with the New England Revolution.
"I'm sure if we look at it in a couple of days we'll say, 'Yeah, we fought.' And that's the kind of attitude you need to compete in this league," Metros defender Tim Regan said. "You know if you can compete with the top dogs, like New England is right now, you've got a chance this season to make some noise. But the immediate impact is that we gave it away."
Wolyniec's first goal of the year, a ball that bounced off his knee, was negated by Taylor Twellman's stunning lunging header in the 89th minute. Twellman separated himself from Regan and nodded home his second goal of the game.
"Today was a step in the right direction but we're not going to overstate it. We didn't win. We still had the lead at the end and didn't come away with three points," MetroStars coach Bob Bradley said. "It's not like we're all excited in there, that's for sure. We're pretty angry."
The Metros remained winless at home, now with three draws in five matches, but can bring several positives with them to Kansas City on Wednesday night. There was the play of Abbe Ibrahim, who made his first start and used his speed to create several scoring chances. But then the 18-year-old from Togo was sent off in the 66th minute for a second yellow card.
"He's (18 years old) and he had many opportunities, he showed his ability, he's showed his quickness," Youri Djorkaeff said of Ibrahim. "I was very happy for him but I was very sad because he was sent off."
The Metros played quick, attractive soccer and showed fight, rebounding from an early 1-0 deficit when Twellman tapped in a Pat Noonan cross in the sixth minute to tie the game 10 minutes later and then to take the lead after going down a man.
But Twellman's equalizer one minute from full time put the Metros in a sour mood again on their way out of The Meadowlands.
"It's disappointing but at the same time we got a point out of it," Chris Leitch said. "I guess I don't want to say I'm satisfied but it's not like we should hang our heads."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
