5:3 MetroStars Colorado Mathis 2 Comas Chung Petke Dely Valdes 2 Paule 08.20.00 · League

The MetroStars erupted for three goals in seven minutes in the second half, routing the Colorado Rapids 5-3 Sunday afternoon at Giants Stadium. Clint Mathis had a pair of goals as the Metros posted a season-high five goals. "We came out here and made a statement today, to show the rest of the league that we are serious about winning the championship," Mathis said. "We have Mike (Ammann) in our hearts, but still have a job to do."

Mathis referred to injured MetroStars goalkeeper Mike Ammann, who suffered ribs, lung and face injuries in Wednesday's loss to Tampa Bay. Ammann remains in a Tampa Bay area hospital but is expected to fly back to New Jersey on Monday.

Mathis had the first goal of the afternoon, breaking through in the 19th minute. Chung pounced on a loose ball in the Rapids' end and played a sharp cross to Mathis on the right wing just outside the box. The All-Star striker took one touch, then rifled a low shot past Colorado 'keeper David Kramer to make it 1-0 MetroStars.

The goal was Mathis' first since July 8. The striker went a span of six games without a goal, but did record five assists during that time.

The Rapids equalized just before halftime. Midfielder Jason Moore drove a cross into the box from deep on the left wing. Jorge Dely Valdes out-muscled a pair of MetroStars defenders to head home his fifth goal of the season from eight yards out in the 43rd minute. Dely Valdes had not scored an MLS goal since May 5.

The teams battled to a 1-1 score in the first half. The MetroStars stormed out of the gate in the second half, as Mathis would create the opening goal of the second half. Alex Comas buried a penalty kick in the 51st minute to put the MetroStars up 2-1 for his ninth goal of the season. Comas rolled the PK to the left of Rapids goalkeeper David Kramer, who guessed right but could not get a piece of the shot.

Mark Chung blasted a shot past Rapids goalkeeper David Kramer from the left wing in the 53rd minute to provide insurance. Chung ran onto a long Petter Villegas pass and ripped his third goal under a diving Kramer. Mathis' second goal of the game came in the 57th minute, as he finished off a Tab Ramos free kick from deep in the right corner. Mathis broke free from David Vaudreuil to head home his 11th goal, the eventual game-winner, to put the Metros up 4-1.

Defender Mike Petke gave the MetroStars a 5-1 lead in the 66th minute, poking in a loose ball after a Metros corner kick. Chung played the ball into the box, and defender Steve Jolley kept the play alive for Petke to score his second goal of the year. [After the goal, Petke displayed a t-shirt saying "August 16 Crime of the Century" on the front and "Revenge is Coming" on the back, recalling the Mamadou Diallo - Mike Ammann incident of four days prior. -- MF]

MetroStars backup goalkeeper Russell Payne, called up from the Boston Bulldogs of the A-League after starter Ammann was seriously injured on Wednesday, saw his first action in the final eight minutes of the game. Payne tripped up Wes Hart at the top of the box in the 86th minute, and Rapids midfielder Ross Paule scored on the ensuing PK to draw Colorado to within 5-2.

The Rapids pulled another goal back in the 89th minute. Paule sent a corner kick to the top of the box, where Marcelo Balboa headed the ball down toward the six-yard box. Dely Valdes beat the offside trap and volleyed a quick shot past Payne to make it 5-3 for his sixth goal of the season.

Lineup: Howard, Dooley, Jolley, Matthaus, Petke, Chung, Ramos, Villegas, Myers, Mathis, Comas. Subs: Valencia, Corrales, Semioli, Payne.