MLS News and Off-Season Results

In a much stronger defensive showing than in its 5-0 defeat on Thursday, the Tampa Bay Mutiny played even through 53 minutes with the Chicago Fire on Tuesday the 17th, before Yuri Lavrinenko buried an open opportunity to give the visitors a 1-0 victory in MLS exhibition action.

The Revolution continued their 2001 preseason tour in Costa Rica the evening of the 21st as they tied Saprissa 2-2. Wolde Harris scored twice in the match to give the Revs the draw. The Revs also beat Costa Rican second division powerhouse San Lorenzo F.C. 2-1 in a close door match at Heredia Stadium on the previous Friday, for the team's second victory in three matches. In their first match of the tour with a 2-0 win over Santa Teresita F.C. in a close door game on Sunday, February 10th at 4:00PM at Heredia Stadium, and their second match was a 2-1 loss to Deportivo Belen on Wednesday the 14th at Belen Stadium in the second game of the team¹s 21-day Costa Rica Tour. In other Rev news it was announced on Monday the 19th that United States National Team legend and Honda Player of the Decade Eric Wynalda has agreed to terms with Major League Soccer and will re-join the Revolution for the 2001 season.

On Tuesday the 20th the Colorado Rapids defeated Benfica of Portugal 3-0 in an exhibition match held in Lisbon, Portugal. The Rapids received second-half goals from Junior Agogo, Ross Paule, and Wes Hart to lead the team to a victory over the reserve squad.

Also on the 20th the Dallas Burn defeated Tapatillo, the 2nd Division side for Chivas, 1-0 today in Guadalajara, Mexico. For the match, the Burn used two different teams each half, employing a mix of both starters and reserves for each half. The Burn notched the game-winner in the 15th minute after some tremendous build up. Dallas strung together 20 consecutive passes with Esmundo Rodriguez ultimately receiving the ball on the right flank. Rodriguez's cross found Ariel Graziani in the box, who one-timed the ball into the net.

Still on the 20th, after a short off-season, with personnel changes on the field, Kansas City commenced the quest for back-to-back championships today, with their first game action in the new season, as the Wizards defeated F.C. Rio Maior 1-0 in a choppy game in Lisbon, Portugal on Tuesday.

The game was played on a beautiful field, but was soaking wet, which made the ball tough to control. F.C. Rio Maior, a Portuguese 3rd Division squad, came out with a lot of intensity and were highly motivated. The game also featured a lot of fouls and strong defensive stands. Kansas City scored in the 65th minute, when forward Mo Johnston took a free kick from 22 yards out on the left side of the box, and curled it inside the right post, low past the Rio Maior goalkeeper.

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