Lothar debuts, Metros lose opener to Miami
March 26, 2000 (Official Game Summary)

3:1
Miami MetroStars
Lassiter
Wynalda
Serna
Comas
03.26.00 · League

The Miami Fusion got an goal from each of its veteran strikers to down the MetroStars 3-1 at Lockhart Stadium on Sunday night. Roy Lassiter and Diego Serna each had a goal and an assist for Miami in the victory.

German legend Lothar Matthaus made his debut for the MetroStars, making several clutch defensive plays in his own box. The 1998-99 German Footballer of the Year pushed forward in the second half as well and created several decent scoring chances from the midfield.

The Fusion took command of the game shortly after halftime, as veteran striker Eric Wynalda was able to head home a Martin Machon corner kick. Wynalda was unmarked in the center of the box and nodded a strong corner past MetroStars goaltender Mike Ammann to make it 2-1.

Miami made it 3-1, as the MetroStars were forced to push forward in search of an equalizer. Lassiter found space on the right side, slipping past the MetroStars defense to spring Serna at the top of the box. Serna, Miami's all-time leading scorer, dribbled around Ammann to put the Fusion up 3-1.

Fusion goalkeeper Jeff Cassar made several key saves in the second half to keep the MetroStars at bay. Cassar stopped Dooley from point-blank range, after a crafty setup by Matthaus and Miles Joseph.

Miami struck first 16 minutes into the contest when MetroStars defender Mohammad Khakpour misplayed a sloppy backpass at the top of the box. Serna pounced on a loose ball and sprung Lassiter on the left side. Lassiter walked in alone and slotted the ball past Ammann to make it 1-0. The goal was Lassiter's 74th in his career, tops in MLS history.

The MetroStars got even in the 27th minute, when striker Alex Comas broke free down the left wing, barely staying onside to play a nice Mark Chung through ball. Comas raced towards the goal, cut around Miami goaltender Jeff Cassar and banked the ball in off the far post to knot the score a 1-1.

It was Comas' first MLS goal, who along with fellow Colombian Adolfo Valencia, joined the MetroStars in the offseason. Valencia came on as a late substitute in the 76th minute, but was unable to generate any offense for the Metros.

Valencia's time was limited due to an abdominal strain, while Metros' midfielder Tab Ramos also sat out the contest with a strained hamstring.

Lineup: Ammann, Khakpour, Petke, Matthaus, Corrales, Dooley, Villegas, Shak, Chung, Kelly, Comas. Subs: Joseph, Valencia, Perez.

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