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MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER GAME SUMMARY

MARCH 23, 2002 - METROSTARS 3, NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION 1

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey - Offseason acquisition Diego Serna registered two assists, while Clint Mathis and Rodrigo Faria each scored once, as the MetroStars defeated the New England Revolution 3-1 at Giants Stadium on Saturday night. The match was the season opener for both teams during Major League Soccer's seventh campaign.

Serna was one of 10 players to make his debut with a new club in tonight's match, after playing last season for the Miami Fusion. He faced a Revolution squad comprised of former Fusion teammates Carlos Llamosa, Jim Rooney and Alex Pineda Chacon.

The first quality chance of the game came from Faria, who penetrated the left side of New England's penalty area in the 22nd minute. Faria's short cross found streaking teammate Petter Villegas, but the midfielder's shot sizzled wide left.

Faria nearly struck again in the 33rd minute when an errant clearing header by Revolution midfielder Jay Heaps floated high to him in the center of the penalty area. With time to balance himself as the ball came down, Faria unleashed a spectacular side volley that was knocked wide right by Revolution goalkeeper Juergen Sommer.

The Revolution quickly attempted to counter as reigning MLS Budweiser Scoring Champion Pineda Chacon slightly tested MetroStars goalkeeper Tim Howard with a long shot seconds later. Still on the prowl two minutes later, Pineda Chacon sent a glancing header wide by inches.

Pineda Chacon wasted little time moving back into the attack as the second half begun. Taking a feed from teammate Andy Williams into the penalty area, the Revolution's Honduran legend danced past MetroStars defender Steve Jolley and rolled his first goal of the season past a sprawling Howard in the 50th minute.

\Faria quickly answered however, as Serna split the Revolution defense with a pass up the middle of the field. In a foot race with New England defender Leo Cullen, Faria inched past his pursuer to claim the ball and poked it past the charging Sommer to tie the match at 1-1.

Both teams traded quality chances after the match reached the hour mark as a Daniel Hernandez freekick struck the crossbar in the 63rd minute and a Mamadou Diallo header forced a Howard save in the 66th minute.

Still pushing for the equalizer, the MetroStars surged ahead 2-1 following a Revolution own goal in the 72nd minute. After slicing through the Revolution defense from midfield, Serna reached the top of the penalty area before sliding a short pass to Faria on his right side. Faria then sent a first time crossing attempt though the box only to see Llamosa's lunging header deflect past the helpless Sommer into the net.

Now sensing the Revolution's vulnerability, the MetroStars seized their final goal of the evening when Mathis nodded home a cross from Serna in the 77th minute.

The victory marked the MetroStars second straight season opening win against the Revolution at Giants Stadium. Octavio Zambrano's squad secured a 2-1 win versus New England in last season's campaign opener on April 7, 2001.

On Wednesday, March 27, the MetroStars (1-0-0, 3pts) will return to action at Giants Stadium as the host the Columbus Crew at 7:00 p.m. (ET). The match will be followed by an international exhibition between the national teams of Ecuador and Bulgaria. New England (0-1-0, 0pts) remains idle this coming week, next traveling to meet the defending MLS Cup Champion San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday April 6 at 3:00 p.m. (ET).

MARCH 23--METROSTARS 3, N.E. REVOLUTION 1

1 2 F

N.E. REVOLUTION 0 1 1

METROSTARS 0 3 3

Scoring Summary:

NE --Pineda Chacon (Williams, Ralston) 50

MET--Faria (Serna, Hernandez) 53

MET--own goal (Llamosa) 72

MET--Mathis (Serna, Villegas P.) 77

N.E. REVOLUTION--Juergen Sommer, Leo Cullen, Carlos Llamosa, Rusty Pierce, Jay Heaps, Joe Franchino, Jim Rooney, Steve Ralston, Andy Williams, Mamadou Diallo, Alex Pineda Chacon (Taylor Twellman 67)

TOTAL SHOTS: 18 (Diallo 8); SHOTS ON GOAL: 0; FOULS: 9 (Rooney 3); OFFSIDE: 3; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: Sommer 5; CAUTIONS: Heaps 17, Ralston 46+, Williams 83; EJECTIONS: none

METROSTARS--Tim Howard, Steve Jolley, Mike Petke, Sam Forko, Daniel Hernandez, Ross Paule, Clint Mathis, Brian Kamler, Petter Villegas, Rodrigo Faria (Winston Griffiths 91+), Diego Serna

TOTAL SHOTS: 19 (Faria 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 8 (Faria 3, Mathis 3); FOULS: 24 (Hernandez 5); OFFSIDE: 7; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: Howard 7; CAUTIONS: Forko 27, Jolley 36; EJECTIONS: none

Referee: Michael Kennedy; Assistant Referees: Greg Barkey, Richard Eddy

Attendance: 13,234; Weather: Clear, 45f/7c,W18mWG25,24%h, Clear


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