The MetroStars earned their first preseason win Friday morning as they topped the Columbus Crew by a 2-0 score at the IMG Academies. Mike Magee scored both goals for the Metros, first finding the net from the penalty spot before securing the result with a tap-in minutes before the final whistle.
"It's all about fitness. I'm not interested in the result," said MetroStars head coach Mo Johnston after the match. "I'm interested in seeing certain things. Mike Magee's been great. He's been great the whole preseason. I'm very pleased with him."
The teams played three 30-minute periods, but created very little in terms of goalscoring chances. The Crew's best chance came off the head of Supplemental Draft pick Ivan Becerra. He rose to meet a good cross from midfielder Danny Szetela, but the California-Santa Barbara product saw his shot hit the crossbar before being cleared from danger by Metros defender Seth Stammler.
U.S. U-17 national team member Josimer Altidore made his first appearance for the Metros this preseason in the match and Johnston was pleased with the 16-year-old's showing.
"Altidore's a rocket. He's going to be a good player," Johnston said. "You see flashes of certain things. Today, obviously, wasn't as productive as he would have liked, but it's always good getting him into the lineup."
Magee started the day's scoring when he easily finished from the penalty spot after Jordan Cila was taken down in the box by Crew second-round pick Jed Zayner. Cila was again the setup man when Magee completed his brace, feeding Magee a low cross that was easily poked home.
NATIONAL TEAM INJURIES: The U.S. national meets Japan in an international friendly Friday night in San Francisco, but the news coming out of head coach Bruce Arena's camp on Thursday wasn't particularly good for two MLS teams. Crew defender Frankie Hejduk (strained quadriceps) and midfielder Kyle Martino (strained calf) each picked up minor knocks. Both have remained in the Los Angeles area to receive treatment.
The same can be said for D.C. United midfielder/forward Santino Quaranta. A strained groin will keep the 21-year-old out of the Red, White and Blue side that is in the Bay Area for their third match of the year. The U.S. vs. Japan match can be seen live on ESPN2 on Friday night at 11 p.m. ET.
CREW TOP USASA SELECT: A Crew team made up mostly of draftees and reserves defeated the USASA Select Team by a 2-1 score Friday afternoon at IMG Academies. Strikers John Wolyniec and Kei Kamara were the goal scorers.
The Crew's next match pits them against Real Salt Lake as part of the Tom Fitzgerald Memorial Festival in Tampa this Sunday. The first game on the schedule at the event has the MetroStars facing the U.S. U-17 national team. Fans can listen to both matches live on MLSnet.com.
METROS MOVES: The MetroStars appear poised to offer a contract to Canadian international Adrian Serioux. Johnston said the team is in contact with the defensive midfielder's agent and he anticipates the deal to be announced in the near future.
The same cannot be said for Icelandic trialist Bjarni Gudjohnsen. After a disappointing performance against the Crew Friday morning, Gudjohnsen has been released by the club. He did not participate in the team's afternoon session.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
