The MetroStars completed their five-week tour of Italy today, when they fell to Serie A club Reggiana 2-1.
The New York/New Jersey club opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, when its two Brazilian guest players worked a give-and-go. Guido, a midfielder, led Renato, a striker alone into the box with a perfect ball, and Renato slotted his shot into the lower right corner.
Giovanni Savarese and Guido both had excellent scoring opportunities in the next 15 minutes, but were denied by Reggiana’s keeper Ettore Gandini.
The Italian club equalized in the 42nd minute through Romanian international Ioan Sabau.
The Metros were on the defensive for much of the second half, but did well to keep Reggiana from creating many dangerous chances (the Serie A club features Colombian international Adolfo “The Train” Valencia and Russian star Igor Simutenkov).
Just when it looked like the Metros were headed for a draw, defender Rhett Harty was whistled for tripping inside the box, and Simutenkov scored the penalty in the 86th minute to lift Reggiana to the victory.
“This was our best game of the trip,” said MetroStars coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. “It’s disappointing to lose on a late penalty, but we must look at the way we played against an excellent team. Not only is Reggiana a first-division club, but they made seven substitutions in the second half. Still, we almost held them to a tie. All I can say is that I am very pleased. We come home happy.”
The team is scheduled to return to the U.S. tomorrow.
March 5 in Reggiana
Reggiana (Italy) 2 MetroStars 1. Goals: Sabau 42, Simutenkov (pen.) 86; Renato (Guido) 23.
Reggiana starters — Gandini, Tacconi, Caini, Grun, Hatz, Mazzola, Parente, Sabau, Minetti, Pacheco, Valencia.
MetroStars — Meola, Lamphear, Harty, Zavagnin, Lewis, Cloutier, Da Silva (Parra, 70), Donadoni, Savarese (Wood, 46), Guido, Renato (Johnson, 70).
Att.: n/a.