Here's the game info for those of you who care.... METROSTARS FALL atlanta 0-1 in Friendly ATLANTA, GA (August 9, 2002) - Forward Tony Kuhn converted a breakaway opportunity just moments before the end of the first half, notching what turned out to be the lone goal of the game and giving the A-League Atlanta Silverbacks a 1-0 victory over the MetroStars in an exhibition game tonight at DeKalb Memorial Stadium in Atlanta. The unassisted goal in the 43rd minute stood up as the winner, despite several MetroStars scoring opportunities throughout the match. In the fifth minute, Silverbacks defender Byron Mitchell brought down Byron Alvarez from behind in the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick by Andy Williams that Silverbacks goalkeeper Jeff Cassar did well to save on a full-length dive to his lower right corner. Six minutes later, a point-blank header from eight yards by Sam Forko off a perfect cross by Williams sailed just over the crossbar. Just before Kuhn converted for Atlanta, he almost notched another goal when his 12-yard drive from the right side of the box was deflected by MetroStars goalkeeper Paul Grafer and bounced off the left post. The MetroStars continued to apply pressure in the second half, getting their last best opportunity in the 70th minute when Martin Klinger led Dustin Sheppard with a well-placed flick-on pass just in front of the six-yard box, but Sheppard’s shot ran just wide of the right post. Grafer made a total of five saves in the game, including two stellar stops of one-on-one opportunities by forward Iggy Moleka. For the game, Atlanta outshot the MetroStars, 13-10. * * * * * * * * * NOTES: 22-year-old defender Marco Velez, a native of Puerto Rico who played collegiately at Barry University in Florida, was a guest player for the MetroStars, playing all 90 minutes along the back line…. The team will return to New Jersey on Saturday morning and resume practice at Kean University-East Campus this Monday morning at 10 a.m. The team returns to game action on Wednesday, August 14, hosting Mexican club power Chivas at Giants Stadium at 7:30 p.m….The MetroStars next MLS regular season game is next Saturday, August 17, when the team hosts the Dallas Burn at 7:30 p.m. as part of the second annual NASL Reunion festivities. GAME SUMMARY Atlanta Silverbacks 1, MetroStars 0 (exhibition) DeKalb Memorial Stadium, Atlanta, GA Friday, August 9, 2002 Scoring Summary 1st 2nd Final METROSTARS 0 0 0 Atlanta 1 0 1 ATL - Tony Kuhn (’43) unassisted. Lineups METROSTARS - G Paul Grafer, D Ted Chronopoulos, D Steve Jolley, D Joe Addo (Mike Petke ’59), D Marco Velez, M Mark Lisi, M Andy Williams, M Dustin Sheppard, M Sam Forko (Craig Ziadie ’73), F Byron Alvarez (Rodrigo Faria ’65), F Martin Klinger. TOTAL SHOTS: 10 (Klinger 3); FOULS: 16 (Lisi 4); OFFSIDE: 1; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: Grafer 5; CAUTIONS: Lisi (’15), Lisi (’83). EJECTIONS: Lisi (’83). Atlanta - G Jeff Cassar, D James Wall (John Akin ’46), D Gilbert Jean-Baptiste, D Jason Annicchero (Jordy Broder ’46), D Byron Mitchell, M Nate Hetherington (Jamel Mitchell ’46), M Ryan Leib, M Philippe Godoy, M Brian Piesner (John Barry Nusum ’46), F Tony Kuhn, F Velco Iotov (Iggy Moleka ’46). TOTAL SHOTS: 13 (Kuhn 4); FOULS: 10 (Mitchell 3); OFFSIDE: 5; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: Cassar 6; CAUTIONS: Mitchell (’11), Godoy (’34), Broder (’77). EJECTIONS: None. REFEREE: Brian D’Amato REFEREE’S ASSISTANTS: Griff Simms (bench side), Patrick Baker (far side) 4th OFFICIAL: Ed Barnes WEATHER: Hot, 88 degrees Attendance: 1,216 MetroStars.com Player of the Match: Paul Grafer
We can not even beat an A league team right now says a lot about our team for the second half of the season.
The point of these exhibition games is to try out new things like new formations, players at different positions, new players getting PT, etc. Most of these things you can't try out when the games really count. So I don't think its that big a deal that we lost.
"22-year-old defender Marco Velez, a native of Puerto Rico who played collegiately at Barry University in Florida, was a guest player for the MetroStars..." So how did he play? Boy, do the Metro's need a defender.
Friendlies like this where the 'undergod' wins is a win for both sides. Oz got to try out a bunch of ideas and give some time to players on the bench and the local fans fpr Atleanta get a thrill when their team beats an MLS club.
Games like this confirm the MLS is not very good, or at least not much better than A-League. The Silverbacks took Dallas into extra time in the US Cup game in July and lost on a golden goal (Backs should have won).