2:3 San Jose MetroStars Lagos Woolfolk Valencia Comas Alvarez 03.24.01 · Preseason

The MetroStars defeated the San Jose Earthquakes tonight, 3-2, in their final 2001 Spring Training game at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The MetroStars win the 2001 MLS Preseason tournament by finishing in first place with 14 points in three games. MLS teams get three points for a win, one point for a draw, and one point for each goal scored in a preseason game. Teams are allowed to accumulate no more than three points total on goals scored in a game. Therefore, if a team scored four goals they would only get the maximum three points.

The MetroStars accumulated seven points through two wins and one tie, and another seven points through goal totals. They tied Columbus (1-1) and defeated Dallas (5-0) and San Jose (3-2).

The San Jose Earthquakes scored the first goal in the 20th minute. Striker Ronald Cerritos sent a cross from the right side to Ronnie Ekelund, who sent a pass to Manuel Lagos inside the box for a shot from 15 yards for a 1-0 lead.

The MetroStars had several great opportunities to tie the game, but were prevented on several great saves by goalkeeper Jon Conway. Rodrigo Faria had the best opportunity to score on a one-on-one opportunity in the 39th minute, but Conway grabbed his chip shot from 10 yards.

The MetroStars tied the score in the 41st minute on a penalty kick by Adolfo "El Tren" Valencia. The Colombian was brought down inside the box by defender Craig Waibel, which drew protests from the Earthquakes players and bench. Valencia, who was 4-4 last year in penalty kicks, calmly slotted the ball with a slow roller into the lower left corner of the goal.

Comas gave the Metros the 2-1 lead in the 62nd minute. Tab Ramos sent a long pass to Comas, who managed to track the pass down inside the box and then send a shot with his left foot from an awkward position into the lower right corner of the goal for the 2-1 lead.

The game was put out of reach in the 80th minute by newly acquired midfielder Pedro Alvarez. Petter Villegas sent a sharp cross through the box to Comas, who headed the ball to an open Alvarez, which he blasted unmarked from eight yards out in front of the goal.

The Earthquakes managed to pull a goal back five minutes from time on a score by Corey Woolfolk.