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Burn-ed out Metrostars eliminate Burn from playoffs
DALLAS (AP) -- Clint Mathis scored a pair of second-half goals for New York-New Jersey as the MetroStars eliminated Dallas from the MLS playoffs with a 2-1 victory over the Burn on Wednesday night. Mathis, who has 14 career goals against the Burn, broke a scoreless tie in the 53rd minute of the quarterfinal series game with assists from Ron Myers and Adolfo Valencia. He scored again, unassisted, in the 80th minute. "I have to give plenty of credit to our players who played very well tonight to walk off this field with the victory, said MetroStars coach Octavio Zambrano. "Clint was on fire against the Burn, while Paul Grafer made several solid saves. It is now time to think about the semifinals, which will be very tough no matter who we have to play." The Burn's only score came on a penalty kick by Jorge Rodriguez in the 82nd minute. New York-New Jersey won Friday night's series opener after Valencia scored a 100th minute game-winner for a 2-1 overtime victory. Mathis scored 10 goals in five games this season against the Burn, including five in a game against the Burn on Aug. 26. While playing with the Los Angeles Galaxy, he also eliminated the Burn from the 1998 playoffs with a goal. "We came out a little bit tentative, and I think the last goal in the overtime took a little bit more out of us than I thought it would," Dallas coach Dave Dir told the Dallas Morning News. "I think they fought hard tonight, but it was like we were a step slow." "My guardian angel must live here in Dallas," Mathis told the Morning News. "Somebody's been watching over me."
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