Los Angeles 3, MetroStars 0

Pasadena, California (August 31, 2002) – Carlos Ruiz notched his first career MLS hat trick as the Los Angeles defeated the MetroStars, 3-0, in Soccer Saturday action at the Rose Bowl.

The loss drops the MetroStars (10-12-2) to eight place in the MLS playoff standings with four regular-season games remaining on the year. They travel next to Dallas to face the Burn on Thursday, September 5 at 8:00 p.m. (ESPN2-TV, WADO 1280 AM Spanish Radio).

The MetroStars struggled throughout parts of the game, particularly after the 33rd minute when Mamadou Diallo left the game in a stretcher. He collided with Galaxy defender Danny Califf after both players went after a Clint Mathis pass.

Diallo was taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital, where x-rays revealed a bruised left ankle. He is listed as questionable for the upcoming game at Dallas.

Ruiz opened the scoring early in the fourth minute when Simon Elliott’s cross through the box found its way to an unmarked Ruiz for the blast past Tim Howard. Sasha Victorine appeared to have an opportunity on the play to knock home the low roller, but he fell to the ground after he and Craig Ziadie collided near the penalty arc. The collision enabled the ball to roll to Ruiz for the score.

Ruiz scored his second goal in the 23rd minute. Cobi Jones, who was a force all night creating opportunities, sent a chip pass into the box that Victorine managed to pass behind him using the back of his head. The quick thinking by Victorine worked as Ruiz had enough time to score against the surprised defense.

The Galaxy put it away in the 83rd minute when Peter Vagenas found Jones on the right flank. The U.S. National Team veteran sent a powerful cross into the box that Ruiz timed and headed hard past Howard to finish off his first career hat trick.

Despite the loss and stronger midfield play of the Galaxy, the MetroStars managed to out-shoot the home side, 16-13.

Rodrigo Faria took a team-high five shots and missed the best scoring opportunity in the 52nd minute after a Mathis through ball gave him a one-on-one chance against Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman. The shot was saved to the dismay of the MetroStars bench.

Scoring Summary:

LA --Ruiz (Elliott, Victorine) 4

LA --Ruiz (Victorine, Jones) 23

LA --Ruiz (Jones, Vagenas) 83

METROSTARS--Tim Howard, Craig Ziadie, Mike Petke, Steve Jolley, Nelson Akwari, Ross Paule, Jeff Moore (Mark Lisi 83), Clint Mathis, Andy Williams, Mamadou Diallo (Brad Davis 33), Rodrigo Faria. TOTAL SHOTS: 16 (Faria 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (Faria 2, Mathis 2); FOULS: 11 (Petke 4); OFFSIDE: 1; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: Howard 5; CAUTIONS: Jolley 26, Moore 38; EJECTIONS: Ziadie 62; POSSESSION PERCENTAGE: 49%

LOS ANGELES GALAXY--Kevin Hartman, Danny Califf (Adam Frye 89), Alexi Lalas, Tyrone Marshall, Ezra Hendrickson, Mauricio Cienfuegos, Peter Vagenas, Simon Elliott, Sasha Victorine, Cobi Jones (Brian Mullan 86), Carlos Ruiz (Chris Albright 89). TOTAL SHOTS: 13 (Ruiz 5); SHOTS ON GOAL: 8 (Jones 3, Ruiz 3); FOULS: 22 (Cienfuegos 4, Victorine 4); OFFSIDE: 3; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: Hartman 5; CAUTIONS: Jones 35, Cienfuegos 41, Califf 56, Lalas 58, Vagenas 74; EJECTIONS: none; POSSESSION PERCENTAGE: 51%

Referee: Michael Kennedy; Assistant Referees: Emiliano Monje, Fabio Tovar; Attendance: 19,854; Weather: Humid, 71; Sultry & Hazy, Fair

Source: MetroStars.com

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