East Rutherford, N.J. (May 16,1996) -- The Colorado Rapids lost the first of a very difficult three-game road trip tonight, falling to the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, 3-0, in front of 14,121 at Giants Stadium in Major League Soccer action. The loss, Colorado's third road defeat in three tries, moves the Rapids' record to 2-4.

Venezuelan Giovanni Savarese continued his scoring tear by tallying all three MetroStars goals, scoring in the I I th, 30th and 74th minutes. Savarese, who has scored all seven of the MetroStars goals this season, scored his first goal tonight when he slid three yards in front of the goal line to knock in a Ruben Dario Hernandez pass. The second goal came when defender Ian Butterworth could not hold off a charging Savarese, who snuck the ball past Rapids' goalkeeper Chris Woods. Savarese finished his scoring streak in the 74th minute connecting from 10 yards out.

The Colorado Rapids continued its trend of outshooting its opponents, tallying 25 shots against the MetroStars 14. The second half of play was dominated by the Rapids, but for the third straight game the Rapids failed to convert close-in shots, including two by forward Shaun Bartlett and midflelder Chris Henderson.

In the 18th minute, Rapids forward Jean Harbor received a yellow card caution. Rapids coach Bob Houghton protested the call, and was sent off for leaving the coaches box.

Next stop for the Rapids will be Ohio Stadium, where they will take on the Columbus Crew on Sunday at 2 p.m. MDT.

Colorado Rapids at NY/NJ MetToStars
May 16,1996 - 7:30 p.m. EDT
Giants Stadium
Attendance: 14,121

             1      2      F
Colorado     0      0      0
MetroStars   2      1      3

SCORING SUMMARY
MET          Savarese (Silvera, Hernandez)           11
MET          Savarese (Harty)                        30
MET          Savarese (Joseph)                       75

LINEUPS
COL: Chris Woods, Matt Kimosko, Denis Hamlett, Ian Butterworth (Roy Wegerle, 36),
 Scott Cannon, Scott Benedetti (Richard Sharpe, 57), Marcelo Balboa, Steve Trittschuh,
 Chris Henderson, Jean Harbor (Dominic Kinnear, 71), Shaun Bartlett
NY/NJ: Tonv Meola, Andrew Restrepo (Jeff Zaun, 57), Rhett Harty, Nicola Caricola,
 Matt Knowles (Chris Da Silva, 77), Miles Joseph, Peter Vermes, Damian Silvera,
 Edmundo Rodriguez, Giovanni Savarese, Ruben Dario Hemandez (A.  J. Wood, 70)

GAME STATS
                        Colorado         NY/NJ
 Shots                   25               14
 Shots on Goal           6                6
 Saves                                    5
 Fouls                   7                13
 Offside                 2                9
 Corner Kicks            9                2
 Off.  Pos.              39:00            51:00

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
COL -- Butterworth (caution), 16.
COL -- Harbor (caution), 17.
COL -- Houghton (sent off, 18.
NY/NJ -- Joseph (caution), 41.
NY/NJ -- Harty (caution), 62.