Wizards give Metros third loss in a row, 2:1
April 19, 2000 (Official Game Summary)

1:2
MetroStars Kansas City
Comas Molnar 2
04.19.00 · League

Miklos Molnar exploded for a pair of goals as the Kansas City Wizards remained unbeaten with a 2-1 victory over the MetroStars at Giants Stadium Wednesday night. "Danish Dynamite" had his fourth and fifth goals of the season as the Wizards (4-0-1) kept pace with Los Angeles as the only teams without a loss in MLS.

The MetroStars (1-4), losers of three straight, got on the board first in the 25th minute as Alex Comas found the back of the net for his third goal. Miles Joseph ran onto a solid longball from Lothar aus down the right wing. Joseph swung a cross to Adolfo Valencia, who tapped it to Comas for a easy six-yard strike.

The goal marked the first time the Wizards have trailed in a contest in 2000, but high-scoring Kansas City wouldn't stay behind for very long.

The Wizards equalized seven minutes later as red-hot Molnar finished off a nice passing sequence. Mo Johnston played the ball down the left wing to Chris Henderson, who raced towards goal before slotting to an open Molnar for an quick tap in.

Molnar made it 2-1 in the 43rd minute, sliding unmarked into the box on the right hand side. Preki had taken a pass from former MetroStar Peter Vermes and found Molnar in a seam on the right. The Danish veteran blasted a shot past MetroStars goalkeeper Mike Ammann to the far post to give Kansas City the lead.

Molnar has been very effective so far, with five goals in five games. Tony Meola has also been a standout in 2000, with three shutouts in five games. The veteran had his shutout streak snapped at 305 minutes when Comas scored early in the game. The contest served as a homecoming for Meola, who made his first Giants Stadium appearance since being dealt from the MetroStars before the 1999 season.

Lothar Matthaus started the contest in a sweeper role, but moved forward throughout the second half. The veteran took on a libero role that he has so often played for the German National Team. The former Bayern Munich star helped key several chances outside the box, but the Metros couldn't seriously test Meola from inside the 18 in the second half until a golden chance went wasted by Comas in the 89th minute.

The MetroStars were without several key players due to injury. Veteran defenders Thomas Dooley and Mark Semioli sat out with leg injuries. Midfielder Tab Ramos also sat out with a calf strain. The Metros are also missing starting defender Ramiro Corrales and reserve goaltender Tim Howard, who are with the U.S. U-23 team in Olympic Qualifying. The Wizards played the contest with a full squad.

Wednesday's contest was the first meeting between the top two draft choices in the 2000 MLS SuperDraft. MetroStars defender Steve Shak, the top pick, played a roaming defensive midfield position. Nick Garcia, the second pick, appeared in his customary central defense role. Both players had trouble with the opposing team's foreign strikers, but had solid evenings all around.

Lineup: Ammann, Perez, Khakpour, Petke, Shak, Chung, Matthaus, Villegas, Joseph, Valencia, Comas. Subs: Kelly, Mohammed, Da Silva.

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