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MetroStars, Los Angeles Tie In Game One of Quarterfinal Series

PASADENA, CA (September 23, 2001) - The MetroStars and Los Angeles Galaxy played to a 1-1 tie Sunday night at the Rose Bowl in the first game of the quarterfinal series between both clubs.

The tie dictates a third game is necessary next Saturday night back in Los Angeles at 10:00 p.m. ET (MSG, Radio Unica 1660 AM NY) since the winning club advances to the semifinals with five total points. The MetroStars and Galaxy will play game two of the series this upcoming Wednesday night at Giants Stadium at 8:00 p.m. ET (Radio Unica 1660 AM NY) with each club currently holding one point.

Rodrigo Faria, a strong candidate for the Kellogg's Rookie of the Year award, put the MetroStars on the board first in the 29'. He took a pass from Adolfo Valencia, used his quick feet in the front of the penalty arc to get by Galaxy defender Ezra Hendrickson, and fired a left footed, low roller from 20-yards past diving Kevin Hartman for the 1-0 lead.

The Galaxy, who outshot the MetroStars, 29-8, pressed all evening for the tie until they scored in the 63' in a series of plays that would shape the outcome of the game.

First, Cobi Jones took advantage of a pass that managed to get by the defense, and attacked toward the goal firing a shot that was saved by charging goalkeeper Tim Howard and cleared into the stands by Orlando Perez. In the very next play, Paul Caligiuri knocked home a strong header off an Adam Frye header pass, that bounced off teammate Danny Califf into the back of the net to tie the game to the delight of the 11,580 fans at the Rose Bowl.

Two minutes later, the MetroStars were reduced to 10-men when midfielder Gilmar was red carded for a tackle on Cobi Jones.

The understrength MetroStars managed to keep the game tied, taking a defensive approach with the substitution of Pedro Alvarez for Valencia in the 68', until Caligiuri was red carded in the 83' for a hard tackle on Daniel Hernandez that brought each team level with 10 players.

Howard recorded nine saves for the MetroStars, while Valencia added to his all-time team-leading playoff totals with an assist for 10 points (4G, 2A) total in postseason play.

Tonight's game was the first for the MetroStars since Friday, September 7, when they defeated the New England Revolution, 3-1, at Giants Stadium.

Scoring Summary:

MET--Faria (Valencia, Gilmar) 29'

LA --Caligiuri (Frye, L. Hernandez) 63'

METROSTARS--Tim Howard, Mike Petke, Steve Jolley, Orlando Perez, Petter Villegas, Richie Williams (Billy Walsh 96), Daniel Hernandez, Gilmar, Mark

Chung, Rodrigo Faria (Ross Paule 95), Adolfo Valencia (Pedro Alvarez 68). TOTAL SHOTS: 8 (Faria 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (Faria 1, Hernandez 1); FOULS: 14 (Perez 3); OFFSIDE: 3; CORNER KICKS: 0; SAVES: Howard 9; CAUTIONS: Hernandez 7, Valencia 32, Jolley 91+, Perez 92; EJECTIONS: Gilmar 65; POSSESSION PERCENTAGE: 48%.

LOS ANGELES GALAXY--Kevin Hartman, Ezra Hendrickson, Danny Califf, Greg Vanney, Paul Caligiuri, Peter Vagenas, Mauricio Cienfuegos (Alexi Lalas 96), Simon Elliott, Adam Frye, Cobi Jones, Sasha Victorine (Luis Hernandez 59). TOTAL SHOTS: 29 (Frye 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 11 (Frye 4); FOULS: 13 (Frye 3, Jones3); OFFSIDE: 0; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: Hartman 1; CAUTIONS: none; EJECTIONS: Caligiuri 83; POSSESSION PERCENTAGE: 52%.

Referee: Terry Vaughn; Assistant Referees: Tom Bobadilla, Roger Itaya; Attendance: 11,580; Weather: 71; Breezy & Clear.

Source: MetroStars.com