2:0 Chicago New York Armas Thiago 06.25.06 · League

A year ago, the MetroStars helped open Dallas' new stadium with a rousing two-goal comeback to get a vital point. Tonight, in Toyota Park's official opening in Chicago, a two-goal lead from the Fire stood up, as the Red Donkeys moved back to their accustomed place in the East cellar. The game was first in a brutal stretch of five matches in 14 days.

For the third straight game, Metro kept the same starting lineup, but the opening 11 did not last long, as Seth Stammler had to be taken off early in the match as he took a knock from a Fire player; Marvell Wynne came on in his new role of wing midfielder. But that was not before Chicago made it 1:0 in the 12th minute, as Chris Armas finished off a string of attacks by firing a shot low at Tony Meola. Meola got a hand on it, but was not able to control it, as the ball slowly trickled over the line.

Chicago held the most, if not all, possession during the first half and into the second as Metro failed to do anything to control the match. Fifteen minutes into the second stanza, Meola was caught on the ground after an initial Chicago attack, and the Fire's Nate Jaqua had the entire empty net to shoot at. Fortunately for Metro, he kept it low, and Meola somehow reached and prevented the ball from going in.

If that one didn't find the back of the net, the one 69th minute did, as a Thiago's low shot went from the top of the Metro penalty area went through and beat a diving Meola to his left.

So this time, there was no blown lead and no comeback for the other team... But there was no comeback for Metro, as they failed to create much offensively. Amado Guevara forced Zach Thornton into a tough save late, but that was all Metro could muster. Simply pathetic.

Lineup: Meola, Jolley, Mendes, Parke, O'Rourke, Lisi, Henderson, Stammler, Djorkaeff, Buddle, Peguero. Subs: Wynne, Guevara, Magee.