FUTBLOG: Revolution 2, MetroStars 2, ESPN nothin'


A perfectly good soccer game is marred by ESPN's intrusive and obnoxious "side-by-side" in-game TV ads. The Revolution remain undefeated, but should have done better against the 10-man MetroStars.

The MetroStars are coming right at New England from the start. The Revs respond calmly, although without too much offense. Djorkaeff is already giving the Revs trouble, the French international is playing at a different level than MLS defenders are used to. In the 6th minute, however, the Revs explode for their first goal. Noonan one-times a beautiful ball into the box, an onrushing Twellman volleys off the goalie and the inside of the far post to make it 1-0. That was quick and it dampens the MetroStars very positive start, but only for a few minutes. In the 9th minute, Ibrahim slips in, not for the last time, behind the Revs defense (he may be slightly offsides) and shoots just wide. Djorkaeff looks ready to break through at any time, but is contained so far.
In he 15th minute, ESPN2 interrupts the game for a Sierra Mist ad that takes up about two thirds of the screen, while a sliver of the game is shown next to it. The game audio is muted so we can listen to the ad. This is absurd, and the commentators are forced to thank Sierra Mist for "bringing you 'Side-by-side' so you don't miss a moment of action!" Patently ridiculous. Remind me never to buy Sierra Mist.
Moments later, thank goodness ESPN has returned to the game, because the MetroStars even it up. Ward works his way down to the end-line, cuts it back to Eddie Gaven, who puts it in the net. Later in the half, Djorkaeff comes close several times. Budweiser interrupts the game now. Thanks, Bud. This is part of the reason soccer will have trouble getting more popular in the United States. I find it hard to believe that uninterrupted games work in every other country, but not here.
In the 44th minute, Djorkaeff and Ibrahim trade passes, with Ibrahim shooting and forcing a great one-handed save from Reis. At the other end two minutes later, he Revs miss an opportunity during a goal-mouth scramble. Ibrahim once again gets behind the defense in first-half injury time, but fails to score.
In the second half, it's once again end-to-end, high-pace soccer. However, in the 66th Ibrahim gets a needless second yellow card and is sent off. Djorkaeff, showing 10 men are not going to be a problem for New York, dribbles around Heaps and shoots, forcing another good Reis save, and the rebound is cleared off the line. Noonan and Dempsey have chances in the 72nd and 74th minutes. Ralston's diving header in the 80th goes just over. In the 83rd, McGee runs onto a MetroStars pass behind the Revs defense, Parhurst misses clearing the cross, and Wolyniec shovels in for the 2-1. It's looking tough for the Revs, as even their one-man advantage doesn't allow them to get shots on goal. Then, in the 89th minute, Twellman heads in a perfect Smith cross off the post to equalize. The game ends tied.
The Revs should have done better with a man advatage. The MetroStar combination of Djorkaeff and Ibrahim have exposed a flat-footedness at the back that will need to be addressed. The real loser though is ESPN2 and the MLS, which runs the broadcasts. This side-by-side nonsense makes it impossible to watch the game, and shouldn't be tolerated by soccer-loving people. Remember, MLS games are being shown on Spanish-language television too.

Posted: Tue - May 24, 2005 at 09:36 AM          

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