EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Clint Mathis and Adolfo Valencia each had a goal and an assist Saturday to spark the New York-New Jersey MetroStars to a 4-2 victory over the New England Revolution.
The victory was the fourth in five games for the MetroStars
(7-7, 21 points) since Lothar Matthaus returned to Germany to play
with the national team in Euro 2000.
New England (7-5-4), which lost for just the third time in 10
MLS games, leads the Eastern Division with 25 points.
Mathis scored the only goal of the second half in the 49th
minute when he sent a free kick into the right corner of the New
England net from 25 yards out.
The MetroStars tallied the first of three opening-half goals in
the 20th minute when Billy Walsh took a pass from Mathis and
blasted a rocket into the left corner from 30 yards out. It was
Walsh's first goal of the season.
Imad Baba answered for New England, connecting on a penalty kick
in the 24th minute after Mark Chung fouled Joe Franchino in the
penalty box.
The Revolution made it 2-1 in the 29th minute when the
MetroStars defense failed to clear a pass from Leonel Alvarez into
the box. After MetroStars goalkeeper Mike Ammann turned aside two
shots, he was beaten on a rebound by Wolde Harris.
But New York-New Jersey scored twice just before halftime.
Valencia tied it 2-2 when he took a pass from Mike Petke on the
right, dribbled between two defenders and rolled a low shot just
inside the far post in the 41st minute.
Two minutes later, the MetroStars took the lead for good when
Valencia back-heeled a pass to Chung. Chung's shot caromed off the
inside of the left post across the goal mouth to Steve Shak, who
sent his shot just inside the right post.
New England lost an opportunity to get back into the match in
the 73rd minute when Jamar Beasley missed from point-blank range
after taking a pass from Harris.