The MetroStars downed the Long Island Rough Riders Tuesday night at Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale, NY, 2-1. The "Red and Black" received goals from John Wolyniec and Sergio Galvan Rey in the win, while Shawn Higgins tallied the lone goal for the Rough Riders.
Scoring got under way in the 16th minute when Joselito Vaca got the ball on the right flank, and played a low ball across the box that Wolyniec was able to one-touch into the goal. Wolyniec's goal came on the heals of him scoring the game-winning goal in the MetroStars 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes last Saturday.
The Metros doubled their lead in the 35th minute with an attack that again originated on the right flank. Cornell Glen played a skillful ball over the top of the defenders that found Galvan Rey alone with Rough Riders' goalkeeper Dan Sirota. Galvan Rey took one touch and ripped a shot that beat Sirota to his right to give the Metros a 2-0 lead.
The Metros continued to control play through the end of the first half and into the second half, until the 66th minute, when MetroStars midfielder Ryan O'Neill injured his knee. At this time, the "Red and Black" had no more field-player substitutes remaining on the bench, and consequently both teams dropped to playing only 10 men.
With both teams playing with only 10 men, the Rough Riders began a more attacking style of play and pulled to within a goal in the 80th minute when Shawn Higgins tallied his first goal of the 2004 season. Moussa Sy played a ball across the six-yard box that found the feet of Higgins. Higgins settled the ball and fired a shot that beat Metros' goalkeeper Zach Wells.
Two minutes later, the MetroStars almost extended their lead to two goals for the second time in the game, in the 82nd minute. Glen controlled the ball deep within MetroStars territory and in a very skillful run, evaded Rough Rider defenders, until he slid a ball across the 18-yard box to Kenny Arena. Arena controlled the ball, and fired a shot that just missed the frame. This proved to be the last scoring opportunity of the match for either team, and the Metros held on for the 2-1 victory.
With the win, the MetroStars are now 2-0 in friendly action in the 2004 season, as they beat Boavista F.C. of the Portuguese Super League by a score of 3-1 on May 26 at Williams Field in Elizabeth, N.J.
The MetroStars return to MLS action this Saturday when they travel to Chicago to take on the Fire at 8 p.m. ET (MSG, WADO 1280 AM). MetroStars head coach Bob Bradley will be looking to capture his 100th career MLS victory against his former club.
MetroStars vs. Long Island Rough Riders
July 13, 2004 - Mitchel Athletic Complex
Scoring Summary:
MET -- John Wolyniec (Joselito Vaca) 16'
MET -- Sergio Galvan Rey (Cornell Glen) 35'
LIRR -- Shawn Higgins (Moussa Si) 80'
MetroStars - Zach Wells, Chris Leitch (Jeff Parke 45'), Tenywa Bonseu, Seth Stammler, Craig Ziadie, Kenny Arena, Ricardo Clark, Joselito Vaca, Mike Magee, John Wolyniec (Cornell Glen 31'), Sergio Galvan Rey (Ryan O'Neill 45').
Rough Riders - Dan Sirota (Tobias Fuchus 45'), Rich Bradley, Dahir Mohammed (Darrell Etienne 45'), Caryle Myrie (Ricky Blanchard 33'), Mike Giacobbone, Steve Franzke, Jim Rooney, Evan Brune, Carlo Espinosa, Giovanni Savaresse (Shawn Higgins 45'), Derrick Etienne (Moussa Sy 45').
Attendance: 3,404
