Metros destroy Dallas in preseason, 5:0
March 19, 2001 (Official Game Summary)
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Mathis
Villegas 2
Chung
Faria
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Petter Villegas had two goals and an assist as the MetroStars dismantled Dallas 5-0 in MLS Spring Training action on Monday night at a soggy Lockhart Stadium.
It took the MetroStars 11 minutes to get on the scoreboard in this contest. Metros midfielder Mark Chung sent a dangerous ball into the box on a free kick from the left corner. Clint Mathis headed the ball from eight yards out past Burn goalkeeper Matt Jordan, off the post and into the goal for the eventual game-winning goal.
Both teams had chances to score as the first half wound down. Jordan dove to rob Mathis on a golden opportunity to score in the 28th. Dallas' Ariel Graziani hit the post a minute later.
Both of Villegas' goals were setup by the hard work of striker Adolfo Valencia. In the 58th minute, Villegas carried the ball down the right wing and played a nifty one-two with Valencia into the box. Villegas blasted one through Jordan from 15 yards out, making the score 2-0 Metros.
Valencia was later taken down in the Dallas's box by Burn defender Richard Farrer for a penalty kick. Villegas converted the PK to put the MetroStars up 3-0.
The Metros (1-0-1) added a fourth goal in the 65th minute, with Villegas again at the center of the attack. The speedy winger carried into the right corner and sent a cross to the top of the 18 yard line to Alex Comas. The Colombian slid a neat pass to midfielder Mark Chung, who beat Jordan from the top of the box with hard, low shot.
Rookie Rodrigo Faria picked up a late goal to make it 5-0 for the MetroStars. Mark Semioli slid a pass for a wide-open Steve Shak on the right wing. Shak crossed for Faria on the six-yard line, and the SuperDraft pick out-jumped the defense and knocked the ball past Jordan.
The MetroStars came out of this contest a little banged up, as a pair of All-Star defenders suffered injuries. Daniel Hernandez left the contest in the 33rd minute with soreness in his right knee, the same knee he had season-ending surgery on before the 2000 All-Star game. Mike Petke suffered a gash on his forehead in the first half, but returned to action after receiving five stitches.
Despite playing against a banged up defense, the Burn managed just four shots on goal against MetroStars goalkeepers Tim Howard and Russell Payne. The Metros moved into a tie for third place in the Spring Training preseason tournament standings with eight. Octavio Zambrano's club will face San Jose to close the tourney on March 24. Dallas (1-1) will take on Kansas City on March 22.
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