4:3 New England MetroStars Baba Franchino 2 Beasley Comas 3 09.09.00 · League

The New England Revolution defeated the Eastern Division Champion MetroStars in a 4-3 offensive showcase Saturday night at Foxboro Stadium. Colombian forward Alex Comas recorded three goals for the MetroStars, while midfielder Joey Franchino netted two goals for the Revolution.

The Revolution jumped out to an early lead in the sixth minute of play, when MetroStars defender Mike Petke clipped the heels of forward William Sunsing in an attempt to break up a play in the penalty area. Midfielder Imad Baba converted the ensuing penalty kick, blasting the ball past goalkeeper Paul Grafer.

Grafer, playing in only his second game with the MetroStars, was called up from the Long Island Rough Riders to fill in for the injured Mike Ammann and the Olympic-bound Tim Howard.

Seconds after Baba converted his penalty kick attempt, forward Clint Mathis' penalty shot sailed wide left of the goal.

The Metros drew even in the 15th minute when New England captain John Harkes, playing as a central defender rather than his usual midfield role, played a soft ball across the top of the penalty area. Comas pounced on the easy ball, slotting it past goalkeeper Jeff Causey to even the game at 1-1. Harkes would redeem himself in the 19th minute of play, clearing a Mathis shot off of the goal line to keep the score tied.

Comas added his second goal in the 34th, taking a long ball from defender Steve Jolley and shielding off Rusty Pierce before unleashing an 18 yard blast that beat Causey low to the far post.

Down 2-1, the Revolution mounted a fierce counter-offensive. Attempting to head a dangerous New England ball out of the box, defender Dahir Mohammed's clearance landed in front of Franchino about twenty yards from goal. Franchino's blast beat Grafer to knot the score again.

The Revolution pulled into the lead in the 40th minute as Jamar Beasley dribbled past Mohammed and found the far post to give the Revs the lead. Early in the second half, however, the lead evaporated as Comas scored his third goal of the game in the 47th minute of play. Petter Villegas, who had been terrorizing the Revolution flanks all night, set up Comas in the penalty area, whose 13th goal of the season knotted the game at 3-3.

The game-winner came in the 68th minute as Franchino found himself wide open just paces from the goal. Beasley threaded the ball out to the right touchline, where Baba sent a strong cross to Franchino at the back post. Franchino connected with the dropping ball, sending a header past Grafer to seal the Revolution victory.

Lineup: Grafer, Jolley, Shak, Matthaus, Petke, Walsh, Villegas, Ramos, Semioli, Mathis, Comas. Subs: Mohammed, Chung, Valencia.