It's Been a Long Time -- Metros Win a Nine Goal Thriller

By Drew

It's been a long time since we laughed together
It's been a long time since we cried

It was just over two months to the day since I attended my last Metros game, a brutally boring 1-1 draw against the Rapids. Since that time, the U.S. has qualified for a fifth straight World Cup, the Metros have slipped out of a playoff position, the plans for the Harrison stadium were formally announced, the King has scored two league goals (including a game winner) and I've gotten dozens of hours of sleep since becoming a father. Having been granted a brief furlough from changing diapers and otherwise torturing my daughter with my clumsy attempts at parenting, I made the vaguely familiar drive to Lot 16A at Giants Stadium for the game against the conference leading New England Revolution.

Driving on the Turnpike to the game, the above-quoted lyrics from Southside Johnny came on the radio. I realized how much I had missed the (literal) laughing at the tailgates and even the (figurative) crying at the results from our view in Section 114. I was running late and unfortunately only made the last of the tailgate, which kicked off a full three hours before game time. By the time that I arrived, Alexi (Superclub) Lalas had made his weekly appearance, while young Idiots Olivia (daughter of Brian) and David (son of Ronen) had already departed with their mothers (Lori and Dana). With the presence of Daniela (wife of Joey), a season-high three Idiot wives were present at the tailgate.

Seven of the Idiots were at the game, with only Paul, Jason and Greg (along with me, the four Idiots most likely to miss any non-season opener) absent. With the season winding down, tickets were given to everyone who Keith ever met or bribed, as he had an Idiot-record eight guests at the game, while Ronen's brother Yosi was an honorary Idiot for the night. The parking lot was surprisingly full, as Ukrainian night at the stadium brought a number of rowdy fans, each of whom was apparently required to wear an Andriy Shevchenko jersey. There was no truth to the rumor that the Metros were looking to obtain the AC Milan striker, as he is at least a decade too young at 29 years old.

It didn't appear as I missed much in my time away, as Brian was sucking down Heinekens at his usual rate, Ronen was telling anyone within earshot that he knew more about soccer than they did and Joey was silent. Given the near empty state of the Metrocooler, it was no surprise that the transition was among the poorest which this reporter has witnessed in his two years as an Idiot.

Anything less than the full three points would be a failure, as the Metros needed to gain ground on the Wizards and Fire. Despite the presence of the annoying football lines, the game got off to a good start as Mike Magee woke up from his two-season slumber to score the opening goal in the 7th minute. Most of the Idiots missed the goal, as they were off buying cardboard boxes filled with lukewarm Bud. The Revs tied the score on a Shalrie Joseph goal, and the game entered the half knotted at 1-1.

The second half was probably the most exciting soccer that the Metros played all year. Goals by Youri Djorkaeff and Amado Guevara gave the Metros a 3-1 lead and it looked like the three points were in the bag. But quicker than you can throw a plastic bottle at Jay Heaps, the Revs erupted for three consecutive soft goals to take the lead. It looked like the game, season and chips were all a lost cause, before Magee muscled a goal past Matt Reis off of a great Michael Bradley pass to tie the game at 4-4. The Metros went for the dagger by inserting the King for the final 10 minutes of regulation. Faith was rewarded as the Metros got the game winner off a bending cross/shot from Djorkaeff which slipped through the fingers of Reis. The Metros killed off the game and moved three points behind the Wizards with a game in hand.