1:3 Colorado MetroStars Okoh Jolley Ramos Valencia 06.24.00 · League

The MetroStars defeated the Colorado Rapids, 3-1, before a crowd of 4,711 at a hot and humid Mile High Stadium in Denver this afternoon to increase their record to 8-7-1 halfway through the 2000 MLS season. Tab Ramos scored his second goal and assist in as many games, while goalkeeper Mike Ammann made eight saves to give the MetroStars their sixth win in their last eight games.

Steve Jolley put the visiting Metros on the board early when he one-timed a 22 yard cross from Mark Chung past goalkeeper Adin Brown in the ninth minute. Brown managed to get one hand on the ball, but was unable to prevent it from bouncing past the goal line. The lead increased to 2-0 when Clint "I Love NY" Mathis sent a through ball to an unmarked Tab Ramos just in front of the penalty area in the 43rd minute. Ramos easily beat Brown one-on-one for his fifth goal against the Rapids in six career games.

The MetroStars kept the momentum going in the second half increasing their lead in the 48th minute on Adolfo Valencia's team leading ninth goal of the season. Tab Ramos began the scoring play by stealing a pass at midfield from Adin Brown. He sent a pass down the left flank to Mathis whose eventual low cross to a trailing Valencia put the game out of reach with a 3-0 lead.

The Rapids had an opportunity to get on the board in the 74th minute on an Anders Limpar penalty kick, but he shot the ball to the right of the post giving Ammann his second saved PK in six attempts this season. Mike Petke's foul on Jorge Dely Valdes set up the penalty kick after the striker attempted to knock in a rebound off an Ammann save. The Rapids did score in the 82nd minute when Matt Okoh headed in his first career MLS goal on a Joey DiGiamarino cross from the left flank to cut the deficit to 3-1.

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