I was 15 years old when I attended my first Empire Supporters Club bus trip during the playoffs of 2006.  It was at DC United, and although it was the first of many, it was a game I doubt I'll ever forget.  The few fleeting minutes between Jozy Altidore's series tying goal and Christian Gomez' winner which snuck past John Conway and crushed the hopes of all New York fans in attendance are still incredibly vivid and represent on of my best soccer memories.  Four years and countless road trip losses later, Metro has finally made good on feeling of optimism encapsulated in 14 minutes of a 2006 playoff game.  For the first time since October 2005, and in its first ever shutout win at DC, New York won 2-0 in RFK stadium.

Strikers Juan Pablo Angel and Salou Ibrahim contributed the goals for New York, picking up second half tallies to secure a hard fought win against DC.  Although United had a very strong first half, they tired in the second and lacked the options off the bench to keep their attack flowing.

The second period was all New York, and Metro capitalized, putting two of their many chances into the back of the net.  The New York starting 11 had only one change from the team that defeated Philadelphia a week ago, seeing Seth Stammler slot in (and effectively so) at left midfield for Brian Nielsen.  Bouna Coundoul, who made some excellent saves, started in goal, with Miller, Ream, Petke, and Hall in front of him.  Stammler, Lindpere, Robinson, and Richards made up the midfield, while Ibrahim and Angel got the nod up top.

The first half was pretty much all DC, controlling play solidly and creating a number of chances, the most notable being a one on one chance seeing Coundoul saving a point blank Clyde Simms header in the 17th minute.  Simms was one of the best players on the pitch and by far DC's man of the match, nearly scoring again in the second half, getting a chip snuffed out by Coundoul.  Although they had the better run of play in the first half, this would shift momentously in the second as New York looked by far the better team.

Ibrahim opened the scoring in the 51st minute, finishing his own rebound in the box after having his first shot off an excellent Dane Richards cross blocked by a DC defender.  Juan Pablo Angel put the nail in the coffin 9 minutes later, expertly heading a Joel Lindpere free kick past DC keeper Troy Perkins and sealing the win for Metro.  JPA had more chances, and probably could have walked away with more than his solitary goal, but the one he did score was so good its hard to complain.  Ibrahim and Angel both scored in the Philly game, and hopefully they will be able to stay in good form in next weeks game at San Jose.

New York's second goal in the 60th minute silenced the paltry DC crowd (which has died out at the same rate of talent in their team) and brought the visiting supporters, comprised predominantly of ESC members but also consisting of fans from other supporters groups and those unaffiliated, into raptures.  From that point on DC was clearly out sung in their own house, adding insult to injury and adding to the authority of New York's dominance.  It has been a long time coming, but Metro has finally won, and well, in the nation's capital.

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

Image courtesy of Jen Muller,

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