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EARTHQUAKES RATTLE THE METROSTARS, 2-1

May 11, 2002 10:00 p.m. Spartan Stadium

Head-to-Head History

San Jose, CA (May 11, 2002) – The San Jose Earthquakes received two first-half goals from striker Ariel Graziani to hand the visiting MetroStars a 2-1 defeat Saturday night at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California.

The loss is the MetroStars (3-4-1, 10 pts) third in four games as they remain in a first place tie in the Eastern Conference standings with the Chicago Fire (3-3-1, 10 pts). The loss also extends the team’s winless streak in San Jose to seven games dating back to the 1996 season.

The Ecuadorian striker opened the scoring in the 13th minute after teammate Ramiro Corrales intercepted a badly played back pass by the defense that enabled him center the ball to the Graziani inside the box for the first goal.

The Earthquakes striker scored his second of the evening and third this year against the MetroStars just two minutes before the first half whistle. He sent a pass from the center circle to Ronnie Ekelund, trailing down the left side of the field, who managed to carry the ball deep into MetroStars’ territory. Graziani, trailing on the play after sending his initial pass, took Ekelund’s high cross near the penalty spot and headed it past the outstretched fingers of Tim Howard to put the Earthquakes up by two goals.

Rodrigo Faria cut the lead to one when he notched his first career penalty kick and third goal of the season in the 50th minute. The Brazilian was brought down inside the box by Joe Canon leading to the immediate penalty kick call by referee Rich Grady.

“The problem with us tonight is that we came out flat again in the first half of the game,” said Faria. ”In the second half, we played much better and scored one goal, but we just couldn’t find the second goal to tie the game. We just have to stop coming out so slow in the first half.”

The MetroStars were down to 10 players in stoppage time after Diego Serna was ejected for an elbow to Richard Mulrooney at midfield.

The MetroStars will return to action this upcoming Thursday night, May 16, when they face Italian Serie a power AC Milan as part of a doubleheader at Giants Stadium. Kick off for the doubleheader on May 16 begins at 7:30 p.m. ET with the U.S. and Jamaica, followed by the MetroStars and A.C. Milan.

Scoring Summary: SJ --Graziani (Corrales) 13; SJ --Graziani (Ekelund) 43; MET--Faria (PK) 50.

METROSTARS--Tim Howard, Brian Kamler, Joe Addo, Steve Jolley, Daniel Hernandez, Jeff Moore, Ross Paule (Mark Lisi 46), Sam Forko (Craig Ziadie 72), Tab Ramos (Brad Davis 46), Diego Serna, Rodrigo Faria. TOTAL SHOTS: 12 (Serna 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Serna 2); FOULS: 12 (Kamler 4); OFFSIDE: 2; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: Howard 2; CAUTIONS: Ramos 27, Forko 39, Kamler 67; EJECTIONS: Serna 91+.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES--Joe Cannon, Jimmy Conrad, Zak Ibsen, Wade Barrett, Troy Dayak, Ramiro Corrales (Manny Lagos 77), Ronnie Ekelund (Eddie Robinson 83), Ian Russell, Richard Mulrooney, Dwayne DeRosario, Ariel Graziani (Devin Barclay 86). TOTAL SHOTS: 14 (DeRosario 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 5 (Graziani 3); FOULS: 21 (DeRosario 5); OFFSIDE: 5; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: Cannon 4; CAUTIONS: Russell 12, Cannon 50; EJECTIONS: none.

Referee: Rich Grady; Assistant Referees: Jorge Reyes, Kevin Boisen; Attendance: 8,445; Weather: Sunny, slight breeze.

www.MetroStars.com

John Neves

Director of Communications