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Soccer Saturday Game Previews

April 11, 2002 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


NEW YORK (Thursday, April 11, 2002) -- The following are game previews of the three MLS matches on the slate for Saturday, April 13. The nationally televised Soccer Saturday match on ESPN2 will feature a clash of former MLS Cup Champions as San Jose travels to meet Kansas City (4:00 p.m. ET) on ESPN2. Other televised matches available on the MLS Shootout Package include:

MetroStars at Colorado (9:00 p.m. ET) - MSG, DIRECTV: 794; DISH Net: 464 Dallas at Los Angeles (10:00 p.m. ET) - KFWD, DIRECTV: 795; DISH Net: 463

For updated scores, game summaries and video highlights, log on to MLS' official web site: www.MLSnet.com.

Saturday, April 13 (4:00 p.m.) - San Jose at Kansas City (ESPN2)
2001 Head-to-Head: San Jose won series 2-1-1 (Earthquakes led 5-1 on aggregate goals)
All-time Head-to-Head: Series is tied 11-11-2 (Wizards lead 32-30 on aggregate goals)
Top scorers: San Jose: F Dwayne DeRosario and F Landon Donovan (1g, 1a = 3pts); Kansas City: M/F Chris Brown (1g, 0a = 2pts)
Did you know?: Kansas City has not conceded a goal to San Jose at Arrowhead Stadium since the 85th minute of a match on July 31, 1999, a string of over four games.

Key players out: San Jose: none; Kansas City: D - Jose Burciaga (torn ACL-L)
Notes: This match-up of the League's last two champions is the first of four meetings between the teams this season ... After a three-week bye from MLS play, things suddenly change pace for the Wizards who must rebound from their Wednesday evening CONCACAF Champions Cup encounter with Santos Laguna in Mexico ... San Jose will be well rested following their victory against New England on Saturday, and their Thursday flight to the midwest ... Yallop has stated that he'll retain his lineup as long as the team is successful, meaning that Landon Donovan and Ariel Graziani will start up top for the San Jose ... Bob Gansler's Wizards will likely focus on holding the majority of possession in order to dictate the pace of the match ... Kansas City could also be bolstered by the combination of flank midfielders Chris Klein and offseason acquisition Eric Quill and perhaps new forward Dario Fabbro, who awaits the completion of his visa ... At 6-2, Fabbro could complement what should be strong service from his wingers ... For San Jose, much remains the same from their championship campaign, where consistent offensive pressure, steady defense and solid goalkeeping were the standard ... An early goal could spell trouble for Jeff Agoos and the Earthquakes, who haven't rebounded from a first half deficit to win a regular season match since a 4-2 win vs. Colorado on June 3, 2000.

The Final Whistle: With the return to health of midfielders Chris Klein and Eric Quill, the Wizards can contend with San Jose's Manny Lagos and Ian Russell on the flanks ... With both teams fielding strong central midfield combinations, the team that wins the sideline battles should gain the upper hand.

SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Kevin Stott; Assistant Referees: Greg Barkey (SAR), Jose Andrade (JAR)

Saturday, April 13 (9:00 p.m.) - MetroStars at Colorado Rapids (MSG)
2001 Head-to-Head: MetroStars won series 1-0-1 (MetroStars led 2-1 on aggregate goals)
All-time Head-to-Head: MetroStars lead 7-6-1 (Rapids lead 25-18 on aggregate goals)
Top scorers: MetroStars: F Rodrigo Faria (2g, 0a = 4pts); Colorado: M Chris Henderson (3g, 1a = 7pts)
Did you know?: Current Rapids midfielder Mark Chung scored 1 goal in 9 games against the MetroStars, his former team, as a member of the Kansas City Wizards from 1996-1999.

Key players out: MetroStars: D/M Marcelo Balboa (bone bruise-R); Colorado: None
Notes: This early season battle of Conference leaders should prove to be a good barometer for both clubs as they establish themselves as contenders ... With plenty of offensive players on each side of the ball, expect a wide open match with plenty of good scoring opportunities ... Colorado's advantage lies on the wings, where speedy midfielders Mark Chung and Chris Henderson have proved a formidable weapon for Tim Hankinson's squad ... Chung will be out show his former teammates what they lost when he was dealt to the Rapids ... MetroStars flankers Brian Kamler and Petter Villegas must be cognizant of their defensive responsibilities so as not to leave their defense exposed ... The MetroStars "Turnpike Triangle" of Clint Mathis, Diego Serna and Rodrigo Faria will test the evolving Rapids backline, which recently added defender Rick Titus ... MetroStars goalkeeper Tim Howard (2001) and Rapids netminder Scott Garlick (2000), the respective save leaders in each of the last two seasons, ensure that quality offensive chances can not be wasted.

The Final Whistle: Although both teams have experienced defenders, the glut of attacking players on the field at Mile High points toward an offensive shootout ... Sustained pressure by either team will be the telling sign, as will the MetroStars ability to cope with the altitude of Denver.

SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Erich Simmons; Assistant Referees: Jorge Reyes (SAR), Gibby Widner (JAR)

Saturday, April 13 (10:00 p.m.) - Dallas Burn at Los Angeles Galaxy (KFWD)
2001 Head-to-Head: Series was tied 0-0-2 (Aggregate goals were tied at 0-0)
All-time Head-to-Head: Los Angeles leads 11-8-3 (Galaxy lead 42-30 on aggregate goals)
Top scorers: Dallas: F Jason Kreis and M Jorge Rodriguez (1g, 0a = 2pts); Los Angeles: F Carlos Ruiz (4g, 0a = 8pts)
Did you know?: Dallas boasts a five-game unbeaten streak (2-0-3) against the Galaxy, and has lost just once in the last eight meetings between the two clubs (4-1-3).

Key players out: Dallas: None; Los Angeles: M Peter Vagenas (lower back strain), F Chris Albright (broken foot-R)
Notes: Although they've required overtime to dispatch of their first two opponents, Los Angeles fields a talented team that has punished defensive mistakes ruthlessly ... Burn Head Coach Mike Jeffries will need a stellar performance from his defensive unit to keep reigning MLS Player of the Week Carlos Ruiz off the board ... The Galaxy features experienced players in every sector of the field, which has lessened the pressure on rookie Gavin Glinton ... Having played only limited minutes thus far, Glinton has been effective and may get even more minutes after Chris Albright fractured his right foot in training on Thursday ... If the match remains tight in the latter stages, Los Angeles must avoid a loss of concentration and defensive let downs which has cost the team critical goals this season ... Los Angeles (97) and Dallas (77) rank first and second, respectively, in all-time goals scored during the final 15 minutes of all their regular season matches.

The Final Whistle: Dallas must take the offensive initiative in this match to keep the Galaxy's opportunistic forwards at bay ... The Burn's experienced but newly assembled backline must remain mistake free.

SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Alex Prus; Assistant Referees: George Vergara (SAR), Francisco Sanchez (JAR)

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