0:1 MetroStars Los Angeles Elliott 04.29.00 · League

The Los Angeles Galaxy managed to defend a Simon Elliott goal to defeat the MetroStars 1-0 Saturday afternoon at Giants Stadium. Elliott netted the game-winner in the closing seconds of the first half, and the Galaxy survived a fierce MetroStars onslaught in the second half to walk away with the three-point victory. With the win, the Galaxy takes a tenuous hold of the lead in the Western Division, wresting control from the Kansas City Wizards.

The first half of play was characterized by stifling defensive play on both sides of the field. Both the MetroStars and the Galaxy spent much of the first half attempting to trap the opposition deep within their own zone and to force turnovers. Neither side dominated play, but both missed quality chances to take the lead. Los Angeles was awarded two free kicks at the edge of the MetroStars' box in the first half, but the Metros wall was able to defuse both situations. On the other side of the field, the Metros' Mark Chung failed to convert a shot in the 45th minute of play, hitting the right post instead.

The Galaxy broke the deadlock in the closing seconds of the first half. Patrolling the endline along the right flank, Los Angeles defender Ezra Hendrickson launched a dangerous cross into the box. The ball wound up on the feet of Elliott. Elliott fired a quick blast past goalkeeper Mike Ammann to put the Galaxy up 1-0. Immediately after the restart, the whistle blew, and both teams retired to the locker rooms. The goal was the New Zealander's first of the year, and his third in a Galaxy uniform.

Midfielder Tab Ramos made his return the MetroStars lineup in the second half, replacing Steve Shak at the break. Ramos, who appeared in just five games in 1999 due to recurring injuries, last played for the Metros in a 2-0 loss to Chicago on July 10, 1999. Ramos wears the number 9 jersey in 2000, having relinquished his usual #10 to Lothar Matthaus earlier this year.

Ammann came up big to keep the score 1-0 in the 80th minute, turning away a Greg Vanney penalty kick. The kick was awarded to the Galaxy when Ammann collided with second-half subsitute Sasha Victorine inside the Metros' box. Victorine broke free of his defender and began to chase down the ball when Ammann threw himself in front of the rookie forward. Vanney was selected to take the penalty attempt, but Ammann dove to the right post to push the rising blast wide of the net.

The spectacular diving save seemed to energize the trailing MetroStars, who generated several dangerous chances in the following minutes. L.A. 'keeper Kevin Hartman was forced to make several key saves in the closing seconds of play, as the Metros mounted a fierce assault on goal. Despite the surging offense, however, the Galaxy was able to hold on for the win.

Lineup: Ammann, Perez, Jolley, Shak, Petke, Dooley, Chung, Matthaus, Villegas, Hernandez, Comas. Subs: Ramos, Kelly, Walsh.