0:5 SCSU MetroStars Villegas Serna Faria Griffiths 2 03.15.02 · Preseason

The MetroStars defeated Southern Connecticut State University, 5-0, in an exhibition played at Jess Dow Field in New Haven, Connecticut. Both sides played to a scoreless first half, but the MetroStars dominated the second with five unanswered goals on scores by Petter Villegas (49), Diego Serna (50), Rodrigo Faria (70), and a pair by newly acquired midfielder Winston Griffiths (75 & 87).

The MetroStars outshot the NCAA Division II powerhouse, 22-3, in an exhibition where Tim Howard (two saves) was rarely tested on a foggy night in New Haven.

Villegas opened the scoring in the 49th minute by knocking home a rebound off his own shot to beat SCSU goalkeeper Andrew Olivieri. Serna took advantage a defensive lapse to increase the lead to two goals just one minute later on a scramble near the penalty area.

Faria put the game of out reach in the 70th minute, when he took a through pass from Serna inside the box and beat Olivieri one-on-one for the third goal.

Jamaican international Griffiths, who replaced Sam Forko in the 70th minute, scored his first after a cross from Byron Alvarez and his second on a brilliant individual run down the left flank.