In what has to be Red Bull Arena's most dramatic moment to date, Metro captain Juan Pablo Angel curled in a magnificent stoppage time free kick to lift his team over the visiting Houston Dynamo, 2-1, Wednesday night.  It was a game New York probably should have won 3 or 4 to 1 anyway, but lookesd destined for a draw.

When the hosts were awarded a free kick 30 yards from goal at the tail end of stoppage time, a palpable feeling of intensity surged throughout the stadium, bringing the crowd of 11,000 to its feet.  When Angel's shot bounced off the post and deflected off the back of Houston's keeper, entering the net, the crowd was sent into jubilation.  It was clear the goal had meaning.  Instead of merely picking up a regular league win (and snapping a four game losing streak in the process) it was as though Metro won the Super Bowl.  This is especially notable when considering the fact that Metro is a soccer team, so it would really be something special if they did indeed win the Super Bowl.

This game put an end to New York's four game slide and brought the first team back to winning ways.  It was also an important win because Metro actually managed to pick up three points after playing a great game, unlike the past few matches where they were the better team but still managed to lose.  Along with Angel's dramatic winner, Sinisa Ubiparipovic also scored, picking up his first league goal of the season, and the second of his career, in the process.  Sinisa's goal is a solid reward for significant improvement over the season and continued performances in both the league and Open Cup. 

As usual, Bouna got the nod in goal, while Borman, Ream, Petke, and Chris Albright made up the back line.  Sinisa, Lindpere, Stammler, and Richards started in midfield, while Angel played alongside surprise starter John Wolyniec.  Metro came out strong and had a good tempo, passing well and building up the attack skillfully.  Dane Richards saw a lot of the ball in the first ten minutes, both directly in front of net and from a wide right position, but managed to do little with it.  New York managed to capitalize on its chances in the 15th minute, when Sinisa picked up his goal.  Angel, who took a free kick after Wolyniec was hacked down in front of the box, had his shot deflected.  Albright took a low shot which fell directly to Ubiparipovic.  Sinisa trapped the ball and put it away, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.

We won the free kick, and the ball deflected back.  Chris Albright took a good shot, I'd say.  I was there at the right time in the right spot, and took a decent first touch to set up for the shot.  It felt good, anytime you score a goal it feels good.  Especially at home in front of the home crowd. -Sinisa Ubiparipovic on his goal.
Chris Albright, who picked up his first league assist, had a refreshingly honest interpretation of the play:

To be honest with you, I was standing there visualizing a cracker coming back off the wall and me banging one upper 90.  I just told myself, be ready, be on your toes, if it comes back be ready to do something with it.  Its not what I envisioned, but I just told myself to keep it down and keep it on goal.  Last thing you want to do is keep a touch and have it deflected for a counter. -Chris Albright on the play
The first half was a good one for New York, with possession and chances created in abundance.  Angel was robbed one on one by keeper Pat Onstad, and would miss just wide later in the half.  The first period was also remarkably scrappy, with John Wolyniec in particular getting hacked repeatedly.  Although it is possible he said something offensive to Houston's defense to incite their wrath, Woly claim's that drawing fouls is just part of his game.  Woly, who looked solid on the first team, did more than take a pummeling from Houston's thugs, and he managed to hit the post early in the second.  Although he didn't score, he looked good enough to warrant continued time.

The second half was little different that the first for Metro.  Tony Tchani, who came in early in the first for an injured Richards, continued his steady improvement and always looked dangerous.  In the 58th minute he fed an excellent little ball for Angel, who was again bested by Onstad.  Houston made the hosts pay for missing all their chances in the 65th minute when Petke was beat to a header by Brian Ching and the Dynamo tied the game at 1.  Although New York kept pushing after this, they looked unable to convert and doomed to tie the game until Angel stepped up and sunk his stoppage time winner.  This was one of Metro's best games of the season, and was an excellent way to break a losing streak.  Slightly tarnishing the result are injuries to Lindpere in Richards, but the reserves have been playing well enough to make this only a minor issue.

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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