Savarese Hat Trick Is a Winner

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Giovanni Savarese, the only player this season to have scored a goal for New York/New Jersey, got three more Thursday night to lead the MetroStars to a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids.

Before a Giants Stadium crowd of 14,121, Savarese scored in the 11th, 30th and 75th minutes, giving him a Major League Soccer-leading seven goals in six games.

The MetroStars (3-3) won their third game in a row but their first of the season in regulation time. Colorado Coach Bob Houghton was ejected from the game as the Rapids fell to 2-4.

Savarese, a ninth-round draft pick from Long Island University, gave the MetroStars their first lead of the season in the 11th minute, his tap-in shot finishing off a series of passes by Ruben Dario Hernandez and Damian Silvera.

Rhett Harty assisted on the second goal, Miles Joseph on the third.