MetroStars goalkeeper Mike Ammann recorded his second shutout of the year, and the 12th of his career, but the MetroStars were unable to crack the scoresheet and the team lost the first regular season home shootout in its four-year history.

The two teams finished the game scoreless, forcing the contest into a tiebreaker, where Paul Caligiuri, Mauricio Cienfuegos and Steve Vanney scored to give the Los Angeles the one-point victory.

Mark Chung and Roy Myers converted their tie-breaker attempts by the MetroStars, but Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman made saves on shots by Petter Villegas and Ramiro Corrales to assure the win.

“We are a very capable team, and I am very happy with the effort of the players, but we couldn’t score,” said Head Coach Bora Milutinovic. “To lose a game like this is very difficult, because we played one of our best games.”

The loss drops the MetroStars record to 3-3 (5 points) and into a tie for last place in the tightly packed Eastern Conference. Only three points separate first from last place in the division.

The Galaxy were reduced to ten players after University of South Carolina product Clint Mathis was ejected for a dangerous tackle from behind on defender Mark Semioli in the 74th minute.

After a tentative first twenty minutes the MetroStars assumed control of the game and outshot the Galaxy, 21-10, but Hartman made four saves and earned his second consecutive shutout.

With the shutout the MetroStars have now failed to score a goal at Giants Stadium in 280 minutes, a span of more than three games. The team’s last home goal was scored by Mike Petke in the 80th minute of a 1-0 home win over Columbus on March 28, the home opener.

MetroStars forward Eduardo Hurtado left the game in the 70th minute and was replaced by Nansha Kalonji. Hurtado, who has been the team’s sole offensive weapon this year, took a team-high three shots on the night, but was the victim of a lack of help at forward.

“Compared to last year, I feel very alone,” the Ecuadorian lamented. “Last year, I had another companion, now I don’t. I hope they find another center forward, quickly.”

Starting Lineups:
MetroStars (1-4-4-2)
Mike Ammann; Mike Petke, Billy Walsh, Mark Semioli, Ramiro Corrales; Mike Sorber, Mark Chung, Miles Joseph (Petter Villegas, 85), Mike Duhaney (Brian Kelly, 46); Roy Myers, Eduardo Hurtado (Nansha Kalonji, 70).

MetroStars Statistics: Shots: 21 (Hurtado, Sorber 3); Shots on Goal: 6 (six players with 1); Saves 4 (Ammann); Fouls Committed: 18; Offsides: 4; Corner Kicks: 6; Cautions: 1 (Petke, 27th min.), Ejections: 1 (Walsh, 85).

Los Angeles Galaxy (1-4-4-2)
Kevin Hartman; Paul Caligiuri, Steve Jolley, Robin Fraser, Greg Vanney; Danny Pena, Mauricio Cienfuegos, Ezra Hendrickson (Welton, 57), Joe Franchino (Daniel Hernandez); Clint Mathis, Cobi Jones (Zak Ibsen, 90).

Los Angeles Statistics: Shots: 10 (Hendrickson, 3); Shots on Goal: 4 (four players with 1); Saves 4 (Hartman); Fouls Committed: 15; Offsides: 1; Corner Kicks: 3;Cautions: 0; Ejections: 1 (Mathis, 74)

Scoring:
None in Regulation

Shootout Results:

Galaxy	MetroStars

Caligiuri – Goal	Chung – Goal

Jolley – Wide Right	Sorber – High

Cienfuegos – Goal	Myers – Goal

Hernandez – Save	Villegas – Save

Vanney – Goal	        Corrales - Save

Referee: Paul Tamberino
Referee’s Assistants: Craig Lowry, Alex Schuster
Attendance: 13,778
Weather: Clear, 59 F

Quotes: Captain Mark Semioli on the loss: “We live as a team, and we die as a team. We created enough chances to win the game, and at times it can be frustrating, but I don’t think it’s because of a lack of effort, especially tonight.” Semioli on the lack of a home-field advantage this year: “Teams should be scared to play here, but I don’t think that’s happening this year. We’re on our home turf, and we should be taking the game to them.”

Mike Ammann on the team effort: “It’s disappointing and frustrating, but it’s one of those thing where you need to continue to do your job. We’re allowing under a goal a game. Now, if we can start scoring some goals we’ll really be doing well.”

Next MetroStars Game: The MetroStars will travel to RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. next Saturday, May 8, for an important battle with archenemy D.C. United. The game, which will be aired live nationally on ESPN2 at 4:00 p.m., will be the second meeting of the year between the two conference foes. United took a tightly contested 1-0 decision from the MetroStars on April 3, thanks to a goal by Roy Lassiter in the 47th minute.

Results  - Courtesy of MetroStars