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MetroStars 3 Dallas Burn 2

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (APRIL 28) - The MetroStars defeated the Dallas Burn tonight, 3-2, behind a goal and an assist from Clint Mathis before a crowd of 17, 543 at Giants Stadium.

The win improves the MetroStars record to 2-1-1 (six points) and moves them into second place in the MLS Eastern Division.

Peter Villegas gave the home side a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute. Mathis combined with Alex Comas near the top of the box, with Comas one-touching a pass to Villegas for a cutting run from the right side of the box. Villegas continued his diagonal run, beating Burn goalkeeper Matt Jordan for the goal and 1-0 lead.

The MetroStars increased the lead to 2-0 10 minutes later on a blast by Mark Chung from inside the right post. Mike Petke headed the ball outside of the right side of the box to Tab Ramos, who sent a pass to Chung from 10 yards for the 2-0 lead.

Mathis recorded the highlight goal of the evening -- and perhaps the young MLS season -- in the 60th minute. On a beautiful run that began at midfield, he took a pass from Richie Williams, evaded Ryan Suarez and then Jorge Rodriguez before finally beating Jordan with a shot from the top of the penalty box for the 3-0 lead.

The goal, and his earlier assist, were both the second of the season for Mathis. Combined with his duties with the U.S. National Team, Mathis has now tallied at least one point in his last seven games (three with the MetroStars, four the U.S.).

Mathis now holds career MLS numbers of 15 goals and six assist in 16 overall appearances against Dallas.

Chung, who became the third player in MLS history tonight to surpass 13,000 minutes, almost had the fourth Metro goal in the 76th minute, but Jordan saved his penalty kick.

The Burn managed to pull two goals back on a Richard Farrer goal in the 71st minute and a penalty kick by Jorge Rodriguez in injury time.

The MetroStars return to action Wednesday, May 2, at 8:00 p.m. (NO TV), when they face the 2000 MLS Cup Champions Kansas City Wizards. It will be the lone appearance of the season by the Wizards at Giants Stadium.

Scoring Summary:

MET-Villegas (1) (Comas, Mathis) 22

MET--Chung (1) (Ramos, Petke) 32

MET--Mathis (2) (unassisted) 60

DAL--Farrer (1) (Graziani, Rhine) 71

DAL--Rodriguez (3) (PK) 93

DALLAS BURN--Matt Jordan, Eric Dade (Miles Joseph 5), Ryan Suarez, Lubos Kubik, Oscar Pareja (Joselito Vaca 64), Antonio Martinez (Bobby Rhine 46), Chad Deering, Jorge Rodriguez, Richard Farrer, Jason Kreis, Ariel Graziani. TOTAL SHOTS: 19 (Graziani 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (Rodriguez 2, Rhine 2); FOULS: 23 (Pareja 5); OFFSIDE: 4; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: Jordan 2; CAUTIONS: Joseph 23, Vaca 75, Rhine 88; EJECTIONS: none.

METROSTARS--Tim Howard, Orlando Perez, Steve Jolley, Steve Shak, Mike Petke, Richie Williams, Petter Villegas, Mark Chung, Tab Ramos (Rodrigo Faria 82), Clint Mathis (Mersim Beskovic 84), Alex Comas. TOTAL SHOTS: 8 (Mathis 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Mathis 2, Chung 2); FOULS: 14 (Jolley 3); OFFSIDE: 1; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: Howard 3; CAUTIONS: Comas 13, Comas 58, Jolley 93+; EJECTIONS: Comas 59.

Referee: Terry Vaughn; Referee's Assistants: Craig Lowry, Nathan Clement;n Attendance: 17,543; Weather: Clear, 63.

www.MetroStars.com