EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., April 27 -- Bo Oshoniyi recorded his second shutout of the season with seven saves -- all in the second half -- and Brian Bliss and Billy Thompson scored Saturday night to lift the Columbus Crew to a 2-0 Major League Soccer victory over the New York-New Jersey MetroStars. The Crew (2-1) dominated the first half, holding the ball in the offensive zone for 32 minutes to just 13 for the MetroStars. Bliss scored his first goal of the season unassistedin the 13th minute. He attempted to chip the ball over goalkeeper Zach Thornton's head. Thornton made a left-handed punch save, but Bliss followed the rebound with a blast into the upper right corner of the net at 13:23. In the second half, the MetroStars (0-3) missed numerous scoring oppportunities, including a penalty kick by Tab Ramos in the 51st minute. Ramos tried to blast the ball straight up the middle, but Oshoniyi never moved and made the easy save as the ball hit his left shoulder. 'I haven't missed a penalty kick in two years,' said Ramos, 'but I didn't get enough on it and he guessed just right.' Ramos, a midfielder on the United States National Team since 1988 who has played in the last two World Cups, made his MLS debut. Ramos recently finished with Tigres of the Mexican first division. The penalty kick was necessitated when New York-New Jersey's Peter Vermes was taken down by a host of Columbus players in the penalty area.
MetroStars goalkeeper Tony Meola did not play because of a mild separation to the left shoulder he suffered in a 1-0 home-opening loss to the New England Revolution on April 20. Thornton, starting for the first time, made six saves on eight shots on goal. Thompson scored in the 87th minute to put the game away. After a flurry in front of the Columbus net, the Crew broke down the right side. Doctor Khumalo hit Brian McBride with a running pass just over midfield. McBride passed ahead to Thompson, who tucked a 20-foot shot inside the right post for his first goal of the season. Khumalo traveled home to South Africa for an exhibition game against Brazil on Wednesday. The MetroStars have been outscored 5-1 in their first three games and have been shut out in their last two. In the 63rd minute, off a pass from Ramos, Nicola Caricola had a header from three yards that went straight into Oshoniyi's chest. In the 78th minute, Giovanni Savarese, who scored the lone MetroStars' goal this season, was three yards into the penalty area but kicked it over the net. Oshoniyi also stopped Savarese in the 83rd minute. Savarese substituted for Mickey Kydes in the 77th minute. 'Oshoniyi did a good job on in close chances,' noted Columbus coach Timo Liekoski. 'After we got the first goal it was a matter of not making any mistakes. We feel fortunate to escape with the three points. 'Down the stretch when they were dominating I thought it was headed towards a shootout, but it wasn't meant to be.' The game was played in front of 26,416 at Giants Stadium, six thousand more than watched the New York Yankees entertain the Minnesota Twins a few miles away earlier in the day. The Metro Stars outshot the Crew 23-12, mainly because they spent most of the second half trying to tie the score. However, Columbus, a short passing team, dominated in time in the offensive zone, 52 minutes to 38. Columbian National Team striker Ruben Dario Hernandez made his debut for the Metro Stars and proved to be their most dangerous forward. He had seven shots, including a chance at an open net in the first half which was stopped by Columbus defender Mark Watson.
