3:2 MetroStars Tampa Bay Valencia 2 Villegas Diallo 2 05.20.00 · League

Petter Villegas blasted home a golden goal from 25 yards out as the MetroStars rallied to stun the Tampa Bay Mutiny 3-2 at Giants Stadium Saturday night. Adolfo Valencia had a pair of second half goals to force overtime, countering two first half goals from red-hot Mutiny striker Mamadou Diallo.

Newly acquired Clint Mathis controlled the ball down the left side as the second overtime began, squaring a pass to Mark Chung at the corner of the box. Chung sent a rolling pass across the arc to Villegas, who hammered home the game-winner for the Metros into the upper left-hand corner.

The MetroStars (4-6) have now won three of five, thanks in part to Valencia's second half heroics. Valencia tallied in the 58th minute, combining with Tab Ramos for a beautiful goal to draw the Metros to within 2-1. Valencia controlled the ball outside the arc and worked a give-an-go with Ramos towards the top of the box. Valencia made several cutbacks, working through two Tampa Bay defenders, and slipped his fourth goal of the season past Scott Garlick.

After extended pressure by the MetroStars, Valencia would finally draw the team even in the 88th minute. Chung worked free on the left wing and crossed to Valencia at the six yard mark. "El Tren" turned on Mutiny defender Joe Addo and tapped the ball past Garlick to make it 2-2.

Valencia now has five goals in nine games. Chung and Roy Myers, who came on at halftime for Alex Comas, helped the sluggish MetroStars attack come alive in the second half. The MetroStars picked up Mathis and Myers from Los Angeles in separate transactions this week.

Tampa Bay (6-4) midfielder Carlos Valderrama setup the first goal of the game on a free kick from 25 yards out. The veteran midfielder, who has recorded at least one assist in every game in his career against the MetroStars, floated a pass over a MetroStars wall to Diallo. Diallo broke free behind the wall and easily beat Mike Ammann from close range to make it 1-0.

Diallo would strike again just before halftime, giving the Mutiny a 2-0 cushion. Josh Keller won the ball in midfield and found an open Eric Quill down the left wing. Quill raced down the flank and found Diallo in the box. Diallo outmuscled Mark Semioli to head home his ninth goal in nine games.

Lineup: Ammann, Semioli, Jolley, Petke, Hernandez, Dooley, Ramos, Villegas, Mathis, Valencia, Comas. Subs: Walsh, Myers, Chung.