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Late MetroStars Fireworks Tops Tampa Bay, 2-1

TAMPA, FLORIDA (July 4, 2001) - The MetroStars scored two goals in the final five minutes to pick up their first road win with a 2-1 victory over the Mutiny before an Independence Day crowd of 20,730 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay.

The two goals by the MetroStars are the most in a league game since May 12 (2-0 vs, LA) as they improve to 4-1 lifetime at Raymond James Stadium.

"I have to give lots of credit to my players who never gave up despite trailing most of the game," said head coach Octavio Zambrano, who picked up his 63rd career MLS win. "We were always looking for the tying goal, and they just kept pushing until Billy (Walsh) tied it late in the game. It feels nice to go back to the hotel with a win."

Mamadou Diallo scored his sixth goal in six career games against the MetroStars in the 27th minute. Steve Ralston sent a cross inside the box to Steve Trittschuh, who beat the defense on a header to find Diallo 12-yards out for his eight goal of the season.

The Mutiny could have taken the lead to two goals in the 60th minute, but Richie Williams cleared a ball off the line to keep the game at 1-0 before the fifth-largest crowd in Mutiny history.

The MetroStars started their comeback five minutes from time when Billy Walsh and Daniel Hernandez combined for a goal for the second consecutive game. Daniel Hernandez launched a free kick just outside the penalty arc that Walsh redirected past Adin Brown to tie the game.

Forward Michael Butler, a call up from Long Island, recorded his MLS debut and goal in the waning moments of the game. Hernandez, who has now assisted in each of his last three MetroStars goals, sent a cross into the box that Butler perfectly timed past Brown for the 2-1 lead the clinched the first road win of the season.

"I saw Daniel make his run down the right side and I put myself in position to receive his cross," said Butler. " I was left unmarked and just perfectly timed my header for the goal. Daniel could not have placed it better for me."

The MetroStars (15) and Mutiny (25) combined for 40 total fouls in the game.

The MetroStars will depart Tampa Thursday morning for Miami to prepare to face the Eastern Division leading Fusion Saturday night at the Orange Bowl at 7:30 p.m. ET (MSG, Radio Unica 1660 AM NY).

Scoring Summary:

TB --Diallo (Trittschuh, Ralston) 27

MET--Walsh (Hernandez) 85

MET--Butler (Hernandez) 93+

METROSTARS--Tim Howard, Mike Petke, Steve Jolley, Orlando Perez, Mark Chung, Richie Williams (Mark Semioli 73), Billy Walsh, Daniel Hernandez, AdolfoValencia, Martin Klinger (Michael Butler 66), Petter Villegas. TOTAL SHOTS: 8 (Hernandez 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (Walsh 2); FOULS: 15 (Chung 3, Perez 3); OFFSIDE: 3; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: Howard 3; CAUTIONS: Chung 45; EJECTIONS: none;

TAMPA BAY MUTINY--Adin Brown, Scott Cannon (John Maessner 75), Craig Demmin, Joseph Addo, Eric Denton, Steve Trittschuh, Josh Keller, Eric Quill (KevinAnderson 83), Wojtek Krakowiak (Devin Barclay 46), Steve Ralston, Mamadou Diallo. TOTAL SHOTS: 10 (Diallo 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Cannon 2); FOULS: 25 (sevenplayers with 3); OFFSIDE: 2; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: Brown 1; CAUTIONS: Trittschuh 57; EJECTIONS: none;

Referee: Gerry Corrie; Referee's Assistants: Jon Wilson, Kermit Quisenberry;

Attendance: 20,730; Weather: Cloudy, Thunder, 84 degrees

Source: www.MetroStars.com