SECAUCUS, NJ (April 29, 2000)-The MetroStars dropped a, 1-0, decision to the Los Angeles Galaxy this afternoon before a crowd of 16, 711 at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ.

The Galaxy took the lead, just before the first half came to a close, on a goal by midfielder Simon Elliott. Just moments after MetroStars midfielder Mark Chung had struck the right post with a booming shot, the Galaxy took possession of the loose ball and began a rush up field. After some nifty passing, Cobi Jones sent a through ball down the far right side that Ezra

Hendrickson ran onto just before the endline. Hendrickson played a lofty cross inside the box, which was partially deflected by Clint Mathis and landed at the feet of Elliot. He one-touched the ball in the box and proceeded to bury his second touch past Metros 'keeper Mike Ammann fromabout eight-yards out.

MetroStars midfielder Tab Ramos made his first appearance of the 2000 season at the start of the second half, entering the game for rookie Steve Shak. For Ramos, it marked the first time he had stepped back onto the field since July 10, 1999 at Chicago. For Shak, who had been the Metros "Iron-Man" this season, had his streak of consecutive minutes played stopped at 589.

In the 82nd minute, Galaxy midfielder Sasha Victorine was taken down inside the box by Metros 'keeper Mike Ammann and was awarded a penalty kick. On the ensuing PK, Galaxy defender Greg Vanney had his effort turned away by a sprawling Ammann. Vanney, who sent his blast to the lower left side, was denied a chance to stretch the Galaxy lead. Ammann's save marked only the second time in MetroStars history, that a 'keeper donning the 'red and black' had stopped a penalty kick (previously 20/21). Ammann also has the distinct honor of being the first 'keeper in the MLS in 2000 to save a PK attempt. Scoring Summary: LA -Elliott (1) (Mathis, Hendrickson) 45'

LA GALAXY-Kevin Hartman; Greg Vanney, Robin Fraser (capt), Ezra Hendrickson;
Danny Pena, Mauricio Cienfuegos, Simon Elliott, Joe Franchino, Roy Myers (Paul Caligiuri 86'); Cobi Jones, Clint Mathis (Sasha Victorine 79').

TOTAL SHOTS: 18 (Cienfuegos, Franchino, Mathis 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 7 (Mathis

2); FOULS: 12; OFFSIDE: 6 (Jones 4); CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: Hartman 4;

CAUTIONS: Fraser 55', Jones 76', Vanney 85'; EJECTIONS: none; POSSESSION

PERCENTAGE: 52%

METROSTARS--Mike Ammann; Orlando Perez, Steve Jolley, Mike Petke, Steve Shak (Tab Ramos 46'); Mark Chung (Brian Kelly 71'), Lothar Matthäus (capt), Petter Villegas, Thomas Dooley, Daniel Hernandez (Billy Walsh 77'); Alex Comas.

TOTAL SHOTS: 16 (Comas, Ramos 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Comas 2); FOULS: 19 (Comas 4); OFFSIDE: 3 (Villegas 2); CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: Ammann 4;

CAUTIONS: Jolley 23', Matthäus 37', Ammann 82'; EJECTIONS: none; POSSESSION PERCENTAGE: 48%

Referee: Brian Hall; Referee's Assistants: George Vergara, Roger Sill; 4th Official: Matt Lawlor Attendance: 16,711; Weather: Sunny, 64F,Wind S-8mph,32%H, Clear.

Courtesy MetroStars