Coundoul's mistake costs Metro in Chicago, 1:1
June 26, 2011
If Thursday's performance by Greg Sutton was the worst goalkeeping in Metro history, today's by Bouna Coundoul was far from that. The Senegalese backstopper had a couple of great reaction saves, and, if not for one mistake, would have had a shutout. But it was that one mistake that caused tying goal, as Metro had to settle for a 1:1 draw with Chicago.
"Clever" Hans Backe said that he would sleep on the decision to switch goalkeepers, so apparently whatever he dreamed of, was not of gigantic Canadians. So Bouna went back in, with the other changes being the switch of Mehdi Ballouchy to the left wing, Dane Richards to his customary right, Austin da Luz to the bench, and Titi Henry, back from suspension, back up front.
Metro's goal came in the 41st minute. Henry sent a through ball into the box, which the Fire's Yamith Cuesta had difficulty clearing. Joel Lindpere pounced on the ball, and, with goalkeeper Sean Johnson out of the net, placed a slow roller that trickled in for a halftime lead.
The lead lasted until the 58th, when a poor clearance led to a Marco Pappa shot from outside the penalty box. As Coundoul committed himself, the ball bounced on the line of the six-yard box, and over the downed keeper. It was a sorry way to concede the equalizer.
The rest of the match consisted of Chicago trying to score, the Metro defense, and yes, often Coundoul, let's be fair, denying them. Metro couldn't do much on the attack, apparently happy with the road draw. Mike Jones made his debut as an injury time sub.
But seriously, something has to be done about these goalkeepers.
Lineup: Coundoul, Miller, Keel, Mendes, Solli, Tainio, Ballouchy, Richards, Lindpere, De Rosario, Henry. Subs: da Luz, Jones.
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