By Ridge Mahoney, Senior Editor
Soccer America Magazine
Revs players complained that several of the MetroStars' goals in their 5-4 win over New England Saturday appeared to be offside, but of the nine goals, only two – one for each side – are in doubt.
More concerning to Stevie Nicol and his players, however, is how easily the Metros exploited the spine of New England's back line and midfield.
Amado Guevara's chip to Youri Djorkaeff for the Metros' second goal wasn't offside, nor was either of the two passes that led to Guevara's far-post sliding finish into the roof of the net for No. 3.
The Revs' goal by Shalrie Joseph that gave his team a 4-3 lead might have been offside. During a goalmouth scramble, Steve Ralston headed the ball to Joseph after Tony Meola blocked Ralston's point-blank shot – and also offside might have been the ball that set up Mike Magee for the goal that tied the match, 4-4. Although the MSG telecast included several replays of both goals, no definitive angle was aired.
To give credit to MSG, which produces solid telecasts as well as a snappy pre-game show, a hand-held camera behind the goal line yielded an astonishing replay of Djorkaeff's remarkable winning goal. Seen through the net from the opposite side is Matt Reis cheating off the post and then lunging desperately in vain as the ball soars through the sliver of space between his outstretched glove and the near post. Fantastico!
Throughout the game, Rev Michael Parkhurst floundered trying to spring the offside trap and on the balls Guevara and Michael Bradley played to Djorkaeff and Magee, respectively, Joseph and his teammates were nowhere near enough to pressure the passer. Expect a lot more tenacity when the teams meet again Saturday at Gillette Stadium.