Sergio Galvan Rey scored two goals to erase a two-goal Kansas City lead and the MetroStars came from behind to earn a point with a 2-2 draw against the Wizards at Giants Stadium on Saturday night.
The Wizards took a 2-0 lead in the opening half-hour through goals from Jack Jewsbury and Chris Klein, but before the first half was over Galvan Rey had hit for his first on a feed from John Wolyniec, then on the hour mark scored the equalizer as Wolyniec again played provider.
Youri Djorkaeff made his first start for the MetroStars, lining up initially in a midfield position directly behind strikers Wolyniec and Galvan Rey, but often joined the forwards in the attack over the course of the game. Djorkaeff wasted no time jumping into the action, as his pass set up the game's first shot on goal, a low, 20-yard shot by Amado Guevara that was easily saved in the fourth minute.
The Djorkaeff-Guevara combination nearly paid dividends in the ninth minute when their passing sequence worked the ball deep into Kansas City territory. Djorkaeff pulled up near the end line and looked to cross, but his pass crossed across the goalmouth and out of danger.
Kansas City took the lead in the 20th minute on a goal by Jack Jewsbury, who slid to connect to a deflected shot from Davy Arnaud that caromed off MetroStars defender Carlos Mendes. Jewsbury, positioned on the corner of the six-yard box, reached out with his right foot and directed a low shot back across the goal to the far post for his second goal of the year.
Chris Klein doubled the Kansas City advantage in the 31st minute with his second goal of the season. Klein played give-and-go with Josh Wolff, turned the corner on Mendes and fired a 10-yard shot that sailed over goalkeeper Zach Wells and into the roof of the net.
The MetroStars regained their composure and scored their first goal of the season in the 43rd minute, cutting the Kansas City lead to 2-1.
Recapturing possession near midfield, the MetroStars quickly moved the ball forward to Wolyniec, who one-timed a diagonal ball to the waiting Galvan Rey. Galvan Rey, near the penalty spot, made contact with his right foot as he was falling down and sent a low shot under the arms of falling Kansas City goalkeeper Bo Oshoniyi.
Alex Zotinca got forward for the first Kansas City chance of the second half, collecting a cross-field pass from Wolff before cutting towards the goal, but his weak left-footed shot was easily scooped by Wells.
The MetroStars dodged a bullet in the 54th minute when Klein's bending free kick bounced into the area and landed at the feet of Arnaud. Arnaud spun and tried to shake his Mendes, but couldn't make solid contact with the ball and managed only to push the ball off the post and out of play.
The home team tied the score in the 60th minute, and again it was Galvan Rey who provided the fireworks. Djorkaeff started the play with a long, lofted pass from the center circle that dropped into the path of a sprinting Wolyniec. The seventh-year striker took the ball in stride and advanced on goal before holding up and delivering a sharp back pass to the charging Galvan Rey, who slammed a hard right-footed shot from the middle of the goal area that bounced off Oshoniyi and into the goal.
The MetroStars kept up the pressure in the 67th minute. Wolyniec took possession of the ball near midfield and ran directly at goal before unloading a rolling shot from the top of the penalty area that slipped out of reach of Galvan Rey and over the line past the right post.
A strong team defensive effort in the second half by the MetroStars kept Kansas City from mounting any serious goal scoring opportunities for much of the second half. Aided by midfielders Michael Bradley and Mark Lisi, who were active on the defensive end of the field, the MetroStars were quick to close in and help keep the ball from the dangerous Kansas City forwards.
Galvan Rey perfectly weighted a long pass into the path of Wolyniec in the 84th minute, giving the MetroStars a great chance to win the game, but Diego Gutierrez broke up the play before a shot could be taken.
Guevara then had a last chance to deliver the points to the Metros when he had a wide open look at the goal in the 87th minute following a restart, but he pounded his shot directly at Oshoniyi after Agoos delivered the setup pass.
The MetroStars return to action next Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET when they take on the Chicago Fire at Giants Stadium in a match that will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
MLSnet.com Man of the Match: Sergio Galvan Rey (MetroStars)
Rich Schneider is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
Kansas City Wizards (1-0-0) vs. MetroStars (0-0-1)
April 16, 2005 -- Giants Stadium
Scoring Summary:
KC -- Jack Jewsbury 1 (unassisted) 20
KC -- Chris Klein 1 (Josh Wolff 1, Alex Zotinca 1) 31
MET -- Sergio Galvan Rey 1 (John Wolyniec 1) 43
MET -- Sergio Galvan Rey 2 (John Wolyniec 2, Youri Djorkaeff 1) 60
Kansas City Wizards -- Bo Oshoniyi, Alex Zotinca, Jimmy Conrad, Nick Garcia, Jose Burciaga Jr., Chris Klein, Diego Gutierrez, Kerry Zavagnin, Jack Jewsbury (Scott Sealy 70), Josh Wolff, Davy Arnaud.
Substitutes Not Used: Will Hesmer, Brian Roberts, Shavar Thomas, Diego Walsh.
TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (Davy Arnaud 3, Alex Zotinca 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (3 tied with 1); FOULS: 12 (Davy Arnaud 5); OFFSIDES: 2 (Davy Arnaud 1, Josh Wolff 1); CORNER KICKS: 4 (Jose Burciaga Jr. 3); SAVES: 4 (Bo Oshoniyi 4)
MetroStars -- Zach Wells, Chris Leitch, Jeff Parke, Carlos Mendes, Jeff Agoos, Michael Bradley, Youri Djorkaeff (Mike Magee 75), Amado Guevara, Mark Lisi (Abbe Ibrahim 87), Sergio Galvan Rey, John Wolyniec.
Substitutes Not Used: Ramon Bailey, Chris Corcoran, Gilberto Flores, Jason Hernandez, Tim Regan, Seth Stammler, Michael Ueltschey.
TOTAL SHOTS: 13 (Sergio Galvan Rey 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (3 tied with 2); FOULS: 24 (Amado Guevara 4); OFFSIDES: 5 (Sergio Galvan Rey 3); CORNER KICKS: 3 (Amado Guevara 3); SAVES: 1 (Zach Wells 1)
Misconduct Summary:
MET -- Carlos Mendes (caution; Pushing, Holding) 27
MET -- Amado Guevara (caution; Professional Foul) 41
KC -- Jimmy Conrad (caution; Tackle from Behind) 64
KC -- Davy Arnaud (caution; Pushing, Holding) 74
MET -- Mark Lisi (caution; Tackle from Behind) 86
Referee: Kevin Stott
Referee's Assistants: -George Vergara; Bill Dittmar
4th Official: Lee Suckel
Weather: Clear-and-51-degrees
All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial.
