LISI'S BACK
He says it didn't bother him but there was a small look of satisfaction on Mark Lisi's face following Saturday night's 1-1 tie with the Chicago Fire at Giants Stadium.
The MetroStars midfielder, a regular last season, started the first two games this season but was limited to a substitute roll in two of the past three games. He said all the right things, but it had to sting a bit.
Against the Fire, Lisi was one of the better players on the field. Moving into the attack more than at any time this season, he had three excellent chances to score in the second half.
His glancing header went just wide in the 58th minute, a 32-yard shot was tipped over the bar by Fire goalkeeper Henry Ring in the 64th and his 20-yarder in the 73rd just missed the upper right corner.
"It's the same mentality. I've done the same thing," Lisi said. "I haven't gotten down. I've stayed positive and just continued to work."
MetroStars coach Bob Bradley doesn't reveal the lineup until game day, so players on the bubble never know for sure.
"It keeps everybody focused and you just have to prepare," Lisi said. "You don't know if you're starting or not so you have to prepare the day before like you're going to start."
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