2:4 Long Island MetroStars Van Saun Lucey Gomez 2 Hernandez Myers 07.11.00 · Friendly

The MetroStars defeated the Long Island Rough Riders, 4-2, this evening before a crowd of 2,901 at EAB Field in East Islip, New York. The annual "Grapple for the Apple" pits the MLS Metros against their A-League affiliation for New York bragging rights. Metros 'keeper Mike Ammann made his first return in nearly three weeks following a lower back injury. Ammann's last MLS game came back on June 24th in the Metros' 3-1 win in Colorado.

Long Island took a 1-0 lead in the 33rd minute on a goal by forward Jesse Van Saun. Defender Laurence Piturro played the ball up the left side to a streaking Van Saun. Van Saun made two touches on the ball before moving around a sprawling Mike Ammann who come off his line to cut down the angle. With Ammann on the ground, Van Saun slid the ball into a wide open Metros net. Long Island just missed taking the lead in the 24th minute when midfielder Gerry Lucey sent Van Saun in on a partial breakaway. Van Saun blasted a shot labeled for the lower left corner but was denied by a sprawling Ammann.

Long Island stretched their lead to 2-0 in the 42nd minute when midfielder Gerry Lucey converted a penalty kick. The Rough Riders were awarded the kick after MetroStars defender Mike Petke took down Long Island forward Cordt Weinstein inside the Metros box. Midfielder Ben Diallo moved down the left side and played the ball across the box to Weinstein who was tackled by Petke just inches away from the Metros goal. Lucey was called upon to take the kick for Long Island and blasted home the shot to the lower right corner.

MetroStars forward and discovery player Julian Gomez cut the Rough Riders lead in half in the 55th minute. Ramiro Corrales lofted a ball deep into the Rough Riders box that Gomez struck out of mid-air from about 7 seven yards out. Gomez one-touched his volley past 'keeper Richard Mattson into the upper right corner. Mattson entered the game after half-time for starting 'keeper Paul Grafer.

The MetroStars tied the score, 2-2, in the 62nd minute on a goal by midfielder Daniel Hernandez. Hernandez blasted a free-kick through a wall of Rough Rider defenders from the top of the 18 yard box. Rough Rider 'keeper Richard Mattson dove to his right side but the ball sailed through his finger-tips and into the back of the net.

The Rough Riders were awarded a second penalty kick in the 68th minute after Metros defender Steve Jolley took down Cordt Weinstein inside the Metros box. Weinstein's attempt was saved by a diving Mike Ammann.

The MetroStars took a 3-2 lead in the 72nd minute on a goal by midfielder Roy Myers. Ramiro Corrales moved down the right side and played the ball across the Rough Rider box to a wide-open Myers. Myers served a one-touch left-footed volley into the upper right corner of the Rough Rider net.

Long Island was forced to play the final four minutes of the game short-handed after forward Jessie Van Saun was shown a second yellow caution card in the 86th minute.

The MetroStars closed out the scoring in the 90th minute on Julian Gomez's second goal of the game. Daniel Hernandez played the ball down the left side to a streaking Gomez. Gomez settled the ball before blasting a bending shot into the upper right corner from 10 yards out.