MLS WEEK 19 WRAP: Win streaks hard to come by

• by Soccer America , Jul 29, 2002

GOAL OF THE WEEK: A classic counterattack goal by the Metros in their 3-1 win over Kansas City last Wednesday takes the prize.

A cleared free kick from near the corner flag was played out to Andy Williams, who from his own half of the field flighted a long ball to Faria. In stride and without letting the ball touch the ground Faria nodded it into the path of Mamadou Diallo, who touched it once and then ripped it past Tony Meola for the winning goal. Six different Metros touched the ball in the attack that went end-to-end in 12 seconds.

THREE NOT OUT: In this season of parity, no MLS team has won three games in a row.

San Jose came to Kansas City last Saturday with two straight home wins under its belt but fell, 2-1, despite taking a 1-0 lead on the first MLS career goal by Eddie Robinson.

Keeper Joe Cannon permitted Igor Simutenkov to slide a shot between his ankles with four minutes left for the winning goal.

Robinson's goal ended a scoreless streak of 489 minutes for the Quakes at Arrowhead but wasn't enough to break their string of not winning there since April 1999 -- a run of seven games.

THEY SHALL NOT PASS: Carlos Ruiz scored twice -- he has 16 of the Galaxy's 27 goals this season -- in a 2-1 win over Columbus to regain the goalscoring lead, although Taylor Twellman of the Revs remains the points leader with 15 goals and four assists (34 points).

Ruiz has zero assists. The most goals a player has scored in a season without registering an assist is five. Wojtek Krakowiak (San Jose, 2000) and Diego Viera (Tampa Bay, 1996) share this honor.

The most assists in a season without a goal is not held by Carlos Valderrama, suprisingly enough. Ian Bishop logged 13 assists for the Fusion last year without scoring.

BENNY'S BACK: D.C. United midfielder Ben Olsen made his first MLS regular season appearance in nearly two years Saturday.

Out since Aug. 19, 2000 with ankle injuries and surgeries, Olsen came on at halftime of United's 1-0 loss to New England and played 32 minutes.

TIE MASTERS: Steve Morrow scored in stoppage time to give the Burn a 2-2 tie at Colorado.

Jeff Stewart's poor clearance of an Antonio Martinez cross rolled right to Morrow, who blasted a left-footed shot high into the net.

Dallas is tied with Kansas City for the most ties with seven and has the fewest losses with four. The Wizards hold the league record for ties in a season with nine in 2000.

Morrow has three goals this season and all of them have against the Rapids. He scored twice on headers in a 3-1 win May 18.