New York's 2-0 loss to Chivas USA was a harsh reminder of just how little time has passed since Metro was on the bottom of the league last season.  A flurry of change both on the team and within the front office, the opening of Red Bull Arena, and a positive preseason and start to the regular season all brought about a strong sense of hope and optimism.  Although not completely crushed, the Coundoul own goal (tough to type without vomiting) and Padilla marker should both bring New York fan expectations down to earth.

Attempting to win its third game of the season and second straight away match, Metro lined up against the goats with an identical line up of the side that beat Seattle 1-0 a week ago, starting Coundoul in net, Miller, Ream, Petke, and Hall in defense, Sinisa, Lindpere, Stammler, and Richards in the midfield, and rounding out the squad with Kandji and Angel up top.  Sadly the same cast of characters was incapable of playing as well as it did a week ago, and the game was lost.  Coach Hans Backe made a speedy recovery from surgery and manned the bench.

The first half was an ugly one, with little possession and fewer chances.  Chivas probably had the better of opportunities, with Bornstein and Chijindu both having solid goal scoring chances go to waste.  Although central defenders Tim Ream and Mike Petke both had excellent games, the defense as a whole did not play as well as in games past.  Jeremy Hall struggled as a right back, and the team lacked the shape and organization that made it so effective at preventing and dealing with scoring threats in games past.  Despite this, Chivas didn't look excellent either and the squads went into the break tied.

No one is positive when, but at some point during the halftime break NY goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul forgot that he was a professional goalie.  I am not sure exactly what he was at the beginning of the half, but it certainly wasn't a keeper.  In the 47th minute Jesus Padilla took a shot from the top of the box that deflected off a Metro defender and hit the post.  As it bounced away, Bouna lunged at it, attempting to catch it, but he ended up knocking it into his own net and giving Chivas a 1-0 lead it would ride on for the next 45 minutes.  Although Coundoul has excellent reflexes, it is incredible how raw he still is, making poor decisions and struggling with his hands and coming off his line on a regular basis.  Hopefully goalie coach Des McAleenan can do something to fix this.

After Bouna's own goal, New York never truly looked capable of evening the game.  Chances came for both sides, and Metro did have some solid possession in the second half, but nothing came from it.  Salou Ibrahim, who was signed before the Santos game but just got his paperwork together, came on for Seth Stammler in the 54th minute and had a solid game up top.  Rookies Conor Chinn and Tony Tchani both got relatively extended looks, but by the time they entered the game New York was pushing for a goal, playing a 3-4-3, and had four strikers on the pitch.  Not exactly the best way to evaluate a performance.

Juan Pablo Angel and the rest of the Metro attack continued to look sluggish, and Chivas put the game away in the first minute of stoppage, with Jesus Padilla burning Jeremy Hall and the rest of the defense (who were all pushed up attempting to get an equalizer) and ripped a shot past Coundoul, finishing the game at 2-0.  It was an ugly loss, but these tend to happen.  It is important not to worry too much about this result, just as getting too excited over wins against Chicago and Seattle was probably ill advised as well.  It is a long season, and a good test of exactly how talented this team is and what it is capable of will be how it bounces back next week.

Dave Braneck is a blogger and an all around soccer fan who represents North Jersey to the fullest and contributes to Dailyharrison.com

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