9/24/96 DC/Metros game now on MSG Network

[AndyMead]

Condensed into an hour, and likely the United loss in the series - it is on "MetroStars Classics", but I thought some of you guys might like to take a trip back in time to see what United looked like in 1996.

Broadcast started at 8:30pm on MSG Network for those with DirecTV or DISH Network sports packs.

[BBBulldog]

Incidentaly that's the title of world's shortest book too :)

[JoeSoccerFan]

Incidentaly that's the title of world's shortest book too :)

Stephen King?

[feverPitch]

I forgot how ugly those uniforms were.

I actually kind of liked the shootouts- they require more skill- but it is strange for a PK to be called in the middle of one.

[Lanky134]

Condensed into an hour, and likely the United loss in the series - it is on "MetroStars Classics", but I thought some of you guys might like to take a trip back in time to see what United looked like in 1996.

Broadcast started at 8:30pm on MSG Network for those with DirecTV or DISH Network sports packs.
Ah, yes. One of the, what, five playoff games the Metros have won in their entire history? I know They didn't win another one until 2000. And Vermes had to cheat to do it.

Yeah, there were some PKs during the shootout back in the day (I seem to remember Matt Jordan upending, I think, Waldo once). A few times, red cards were given and one of the outfield players had to play goal.

[AndyMead]

Ah, yes. One of the, what, five playoff games the Metros have won in their entire history? I know They didn't win another one until 2000. And Vermes had to cheat to do it.

Yeah, there were some PKs during the shootout back in the day (I seem to remember Matt Jordan upending, I think, Waldo once). A few times, red cards were given and one of the outfield players had to play goal.

It was actually quite entertaining. Anyone that says the quality of play in MLS isn't that far above 1996 needs to watch some of these games, though. There was definitely some nice individual skill, but man oh man was there a lot of crap play.

The shootout in that game (11 or 12 rounds) was pretty exciting, I sheepishly have to admit. Arena subbed in Causey in the dying seconds of the game for Simpson - just for the shootout.

[MasterShake29]

Watched it since the Mets were in rain delay. It was entertaining. I had forgotten how awful the turf at Giants Stadium was. Thank God that's gone.

I wouldn't mind brining the shootout back to replace the PK shootout for the playoffs. Seems to be a little more skill involved.

[HeadHunter]

The shootout in that game (11 or 12 rounds) was pretty exciting, I sheepishly have to admit.

I always wondered did anyone ever feel that the shootout was a better way then PKs to decide things? It is a bit more of a test of offensive skill-no?

Don't get me wrong using them for everything-just to prevent a tie is rediculous, but when you have to decide a result I always liked them, as something more than just the luck that kicks from the mark basically becomes.

[BBBulldog]

Stephen King?

"MetroStars Classics"

[Lowecifer]

Anyone that says the quality of play in MLS isn't that far above 1996 needs to watch some of these games, though.

People who say that the quality of play in MLS hasn't improved don't believe defending is a skill. There were as many human cones in the league back then as there were stupid marketing people.

[AndyMead]

I always wondered did anyone ever feel that the shootout was a better way then PKs to decide things? It is a bit more of a test of offensive skill-no?

The shootout changed drastically once goalkeepers learned what they needed to do. In 1996 there were plenty of goals, but by 1999 goalkeepers (in my possibly faulty memory) were stopping most shootout attempts.

Success and failure in the shootout seemed to have more to do with luck (ball hitting a rough patch, goalkeeper slipping) than most pks.

To be honest, there's no "good" solution to games that have to be decided (like knockout games). The alternatives (playing forever, pks, shootout, corner kicks, rock paper scissors) all have problems.

[AndyMead]

People who say that the quality of play in MLS hasn't improved don't believe defending is a skill. There were as many human cones in the league back then as there were stupid marketing people.

[El Jefe]
Boy, Howdy!
[/El Jefe]

[Barbara]

Andy, your avatar confuses me. There should be some rule against people using other bigsoccer people as avatars.

[gocaps]

Success and failure in the shootout seemed to have more to do with luck (ball hitting a rough patch, goalkeeper slipping) than most pks.
I don't know about that - players with shootout experience seemed to do pretty well. Kris Kelderman, for example, who played in the MISL. He wasn't much of an MLS field player, but he was the greatest shootout player the league ever saw. He did the same thing every time, and it was completely unstoppable. I don't think he ever missed one.

[Topo]

That was a great game to watch...even with the result.

Although Causey did well after being subbed in for the shootout, he did miss his shootout attempt in the 11th round. I'd forgotten about our "shootout specialist" goalkeeping strategy.

They did note right before the shootout started that DC was worst (or maybe tied for worst) in the league in 1996 in shootouts.

I would say that would qualify as a "Metrostars Classic" game. It's got to be close to their highwater mark in terms of advancement. They were up 1-0 in a playoff series after game one.

[JoeSoccerFan]

Andy, your avatar confuses me. There should be some rule against people using other bigsoccer people as avatars.


I agree, I was telling this to Marcel on Saturday. I keep reading a post that seems antagonistic - and I'm surprised that Marcel would post it - and realize it's just his picture!

[Jose L. Couso]

It's a shame that I do not get MSG, I would have loved to watch the game.

[AndyMead]

I agree, I was telling this to Marcel on Saturday. I keep reading a post that seems antagonistic - and I'm surprised that Marcel would post it - and realize it's just his picture!

Better?

[fatbastard]

well, no one should be surprised to see an antagonistic post from that guy, that's for sure :cool:

[JoeSoccerFan]

Better?

much better - sachin is definitely more believable to be antagonistic than marcel!