0:2 Los Angeles MetroStars Mathis Valencia 06.03.00 · League

The MetroStars won their third straight game this evening, beating the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0, before a crowd of 16,876 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. The MetroStars moved into second place in the Eastern Division improving to .500 on the year at 6-6-0 (18 pts), while the Galaxy fell to only their second defeat of the season at 6-2-6 (24 pts). The Metros remain a perfect 6-0 when they score two or more goals in a contest.

The MetroStars played the first forty-five minutes of the contest very much like a road team, withstanding the early pressure of the "El Matador" led Galaxy. Luis Hernandez had several dangerous opportunities in the first half and kept the Metros defense on their toes. Hernandez's best opportunity came just before the close of the half, when he moved down the near side and turned Metros defender Mike Petke with an inside-out move before sending a booming shot low and to the far post of the Metros goal. MetroStars 'keeper Mike Ammann came off his line to cut down the angle and made a sprawling save of a blast that had been labeled for the Metros net.

The Metros had several dangerous chances of their own highlighted by Adolfo Valencia in the 41st minute. Clint Mathis sent Valencia down the left flank with a perfectly placed pass. "El Tren" moved in on goal and took on Galaxy defender Zak Ibsen one-on-one before blazing a shot over the top of the crossbar from about eight yards out.

The Metros took a 1-0 lead in the 48th minute on a goal by Clint Mathis. Mathis blasted home his second goal in the last two games in impressive style from just inside the Galaxy box. Mathis ran onto a 50/50 ball after he went straight up with Los Angeles defender Paul Caligiuri just outside the eighteen. After making his turn for the loose ball, Mathis beat Galaxy 'keeper Kevin Hartman high and to the right side.

The Metros extended their lead to 2-0 in the 60th minute on Adolfo Valencia's team-leading seventh goal of the season. Valencia, who with the two points surpassed last year's leading scorer Eduardo Hurtado, received Roy Myers feed from just about ten yards out. Myers, who had beaten several Galaxy defenders while making his run down the near side, placed a perfect pass across the Galaxy box to Valencia. "El Tren" proceeded to make two touches on the ball before patiently sliding a shot to the lower right side of Hartman.

Lineup: Ammann, Jolley, Petke, Hernandez, Chung, Walsh, Villegas, Corrales, Myers, Mathis, Valencia. Subs: Comas, Shak.