The MetroStars celebrated the United States's birthday by playing their arch rival D.C. United on Saturday in the Nation's Captial at RFK Stadium. With Clint Mathis out due to caution point accumiliation, the Metros were forced to play with out their star forward who scored two goals earlier this week versus the San Jose Earthquakes. With the heat index at 101 degrees, both teams managed to make the game interesting.

Edgar Bartolomeu, who earned his second consecutive start for the MetroStars, fouled United forward Ali Curtis inside the penalty box at the 8th minute mark. The play began when Marco Echeverry stole the Metros midfielder Mark Lisi. el Diabo then passed the ball to Hristo Stoitchkov. Stoitchkov then fed Curtis the ball. Curtis tried to speed past Edgar, but Edgar was able to foul him. Etcheverry was called upon to take the spot kick and successfully scored by tricking Howard to dive to the opposite side.

Ex-United Richie Williams almost tied the game minute when he sent a shot from 25 yards out that that beat goalkeepeer Nick Rimando, but unfortuantely hit the post.

The Metros eventually leveled the game in the 20th minute when ex-United Jamie Moreno tallied his second goal of the season. Moreno, who recieved the pass from Lisi, took advantage of the space that was given to him and sent a long shot that beat Rimando with ease.

The Metros took the lead only six minutes later when ex-Metro Mike Petke's header accidentally landed on Ricardo Clark's feet. Clark then sent a blasting shot from 30 yards out. Rimando tried to save it, but he only managed to get a touch of the ball.

With the 2-1 lead, the Metros seemed to be ready to rally past United until 35th minute when defender Kenny Arena recieved his second yellow card that equals a red card. He earned his second yellow by fouling Ali Curtis just outside of Tim Howard's penalty box. Arena, who was playing for the first time in his hometown, recieved his first yellow card in the 30th minute.

United took advantage of being a man up, and tied the game in the 43rd minute. Stoitchkov fed the ball to United's winger Ben Olsen. Olsen then sent a low cross that found Dema Kovalenko. Kovenklo turned, and sent a shot from 15 yards out that beat Howard who didn't move much if at all.

With the extreme heat and the fact of playing a man down, the MetroStars brought everyone back to play strict defense in order to keep the tie. The second half game plan proved to be successful, forcing the match to go to overtime.

In the first overtime session, United almost stole the game when Tino Quaranta sent a shot on goal that beat hard, but was stopped at the goal line by Chris Leitch. The first overtime session ended scoreless, forcing yet another overtime period.

With D.C. fans already booing Amando Guevara for "time-wasting," they got even Bob Bradley made a highly controversial move. With all three subs used, he used his extra "goalkeeper" sub. Instead of calling Paul Grafer, he called upon 16 phenom Eddie Gaven. But before Gaven entered the field, some work had to be done on the field. First, Howard and Lisi exchanged shirts and roles. Lisi became a goalkeeper and Howard a field player. Gaven then came in for Lisi, and played goalie. About 10 seconds after the second overtime started, Gaven exchanged jerseys with Howard. Gaven was now a field player, and Howard regained his goalkeeper spot.

Now, the game became interesting. D.C. earned themselves a corner kick with a few minutes left. Galin Ivanov recieved a pass around the penalty spot, and sent a low flying shot. Howard made a point blank save to keep the game tied.