Sept. 11, 1999 – Death knell for MLS ‘shootouts’ — Walter Zenga’s final game in goal
Post by frankdellapa@gmail.com
The New England Revolution’s Jeff Causey was red-carded in a post-match shootout, replacement Joe-Max Moore slipping a green shirt over his No. 9 jersey, then failing to stop three Miami Fusion attempts. The farcical situation helped lead to the demise of the shootout in MLS. Said Don Garber, who had replaced Doug Logan as MLS commissioner in August 2000: “The shootout has been our biggest controversy. Every meeting we have always comes back to it. We are going to have to make a decision on it, a difficult decision, based on bringing the game closer to the hard-core fan.”
Sept. 11, 1999 – Miami Fusion 1:1 Revolution at Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Att. 8,038)
Former Revolution star Welton (29th minute) opened the scoring and Giovanni Savarese (30th) equalized off a Mike Burns/John Harkes assist. Causey replaced player/coach Walter Zenga in the 90th minute, then clashed with Welton and was ejected by referee Ricardo Valenzuela during the post-match shootout. Welton, Saul Martinez and future Revolution midfielder Brian Kamler converted past Moore, and the Fusion’s Garth Lagerway saved twice.
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston-sub/doc/405320097.html?FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+12%2C+1999&author=Dell%27Apa%2C+Frank&pub=Boston+Globe&edition=&startpage=F.2&desc=Causey+ejection+a+kick+for+Fusion+Revolution+shown+up+in+showdown
Zenga, whose final appearance for Italy was at Foxboro Stadium in 1992, had started planning for the 2000 season, but was dismissed as coach in late September, 1999.
After the match, Zenga said: “I am not going to say anything until Tuesday. It’s better for everyone that I remain quiet. I’ve been fined enough already this year.”
TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY