MetroStars Win Home Opener, 3-2 Beat Defending
MLS Champion To Earn 1st Win Of the Season

Secaucus, NJ (Saturday, April 1, 2000)-The MetroStars earned their first win of the 2000 MLS season tonight, beating defending MLS Champion D.C. United by a score of 3-2 before a crowd of 27,322 at Giants Stadium. The MetroStars, now 1-1 on the season, snapped a six-game losing streak to D.C. United.

"This was a good win before a great crowd at home tonight," said head coach Octavio Zambrano. "We let D.C. get ahead of our defense early, but scored the three goals needed to provide the cushion when D.C. made their comeback. However, this is just one game, and it is now time to focus on San Jose."

The MetroStars took the lead in the fifth minute on a penalty kick by forward Alex Comas. The penalty kick was awarded after Metros forward Adolfo "El Tren" Valencia was taken down from behind inside the box by D.C. United defender Carey Talley. On the ensuing PK, Comas beat United keeper Tom Presthus to the lower right side. Comas' tally was his second of the season in as many games.

In the 23rd minute, the MetroStars took a 2-0 lead on a goal by midfielder Brain Kelly. Beginning with a steal by defender Ramiro Corrales, the Metros began their rush up field. After a pretty give-and-go at the top of the box between Comas and Valencia, Adolfo moved in on Presthus and took a shot from just outside the seven-yard line. Kelly, who came streaking down the right side, sent home the rebound from three yards out.

The Metros continued their dominance, and in the 56th minute, were rewarded for their efforts. Valencia pushed the MetroStars lead to 3-0 when he headed home Mark Chung's cross from five yards out. Valencia's header beat Presthus to the lower left side and sent the Metros faithful into a frenzy. Valencia's goal was his first with the MetroStars.

D.C. United broke through the Metros wall in the 62nd minute when forward Jaime Moreno was awarded a penalty kick. Moreno, who was taken down inside the box by Lothar Matthäus, converted his attempt when he beat Metros keeper Mike Ammann to the lower left side. Moreno's goal was the first of the season for D.C. after being shut out in their opener 4-0 by the Los Angeles Galaxy.

In the 85th minute, United cut the Metros lead to just one, when defender Jeff Agoos scored from 25 yards out off a free kick. Agoos sent a bending shot around the Metros wall and beat Ammann high and to the right side.

Scoring Summary:

MET--Comas (PK) 5
MET--Kelly (Valencia, Comas 23
MET--Valencia (Chung) 56
DC--Moreno (PK) 63
DC--Agoos (unassisted) 84

D.C. UNITED--Tom Presthus, Carlos Llamosa, Eddie Pope (Antonio Otero 52), Carey Talley (Michael Burke 82), Jeff Agoos, Richie Williams, John Maessner, BenOlsen, Jaime Moreno, A.J. Wood, Chris Albright. TOTAL SHOTS: 24 (Agoos 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 15 (Moreno 3, Agoos 3); FOULS: 16 Talley 4); OFFSIDE: 6; CORNER KICKS: 10; SAVES: Presthus 4; CAUTIONS: Agoos 5,

Maessner 37; EJECTIONS: none; POSSESSION PERCENTAGE: 60%

METROSTARS--Mike Ammann, Mike Petke, Mohammad Khakpour, Steve Shak, Ramiro Corrales, Lothar Matthaus, Petter Villegas, Mark Chung (Billy Walsh 82), Brian Kelly (Orlando Perez 63), Alex Comas, Adolfo Valencia. TOTAL SHOTS: 13 (Valencia 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 8 (Valencia 4); FOULS: 23 (Valencia 5); OFFSIDE: 3; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: Ammann 10; CAUTIONS: Khakpour 26, Kelly 33; EJECTIONS: none; POSSESSION PERCENTAGE: 40%

Courtesy MetroStars