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Valderrama sets MLS assists record with 20

By Jose Alfredo Flores
USA TODAY

A new assists king reigns in Major League Soccer. Tampa Bay midfielder Carlos Valderrama broke the season assists record by notching his 20th in Saturday's 2-0 win against Los Angeles.

The record (19) had been held by Valderrama and D.C. United midfielder Marco Etcheverry. Mamadou Diallo was the recipient of the record-setting assist. Diallo (18 goals, two assists for 38 points) extended his MLS scoring lead on Columbus' Dante Washington to three points.

Goalkeeper Scott Garlick earned his sixth shutout of 2000.

In other games:

* The MetroStars won their fifth consecutive, defeating Miami 4-2 Saturday, to enter All-Star weekend as MLS' hottest team. New York/New Jersey forward Alex Comas scored two goals.

The Metros (13-7-2, 41 points) extend their lead in the Eastern Division on New England to nine points and are tied with Kansas City for the overall league lead.

* Kansas City ended a three-game losing streak Saturday, defeating Columbus 3-1 on two goals by midfielder Chris Henderson.

The Wizards (12-9-2, 41 points) broke a four-game scoreless streak and extended their lead in the Western Division to four points on Los Angeles.

The Crew fell to eighth place and the final playoff spot. Columbus (9-11-4, 31 points) is tied with Dallas, but the Burn hold the tiebreaker.

* New England won its second in a row Saturday after suffering through a six-game losing streak, beating San Jose 2-1.

With Revolution defenders Mauricio Wright (yellow-card accumulation) and Brian Dunseth (groin muscle strain) out, captain John Harkes assumed the sweeper's role for the first time in his career.

The Earthquakes (5-10-8, 23 points) have lost two in a row.

* Friday, Colorado and Chicago tied 1-1, costing the Fire (10-8-5, 35 points) the top spot in the Central Division standings.

Rapids striker Junior Agogo took revenge on his former team by scoring his 10th goal of the season.

In the 35th minute, Rookie of the Year candidate Carlos Bocanegra scored his first MLS goal.

Matthaeus back: The MetroStars and MLS came to an agreement Friday that will keep Lothar Matthaeus with the MetroStars following a tumultuous month in which he was in a dispute with the team over treatment of a back injury. General manager Nick Sakiewicz expects Matthaeus to be back training Wednesday.

The German star hopes to play a half in Saturday's All-Star Game. He was selected as a starter by fans.

United stunner: D.C. United (5-13-6, 21 points) beat English Premier League power Newcastle United 3-1 in an exhibition Saturday. The game featured the Newcastle debut of striker Carl Cort, who transferred from Wimbledon for $12 million in the offseason. Etcheverry led United with three assists.