Saturday, April 21 — (3:00 p.m.) — Tampa Bay Mutiny at MetroStars (ESPN2) Season series: First Meeting. All-time regular season series: Tampa Bay leads 12-8-0 (Tampa Bay leads 39-28 in aggregate goals) Leading scorers: Tampa Bay: M Steve Ralston (2g, 1a = 5pts); MetroStars: F Clint Mathis (1g, 1a = 3pts) Did you know? Mutiny Head Coach Alfonso Mondelo coached the MetroStars to a 14-17 record during the 1998 season. He resigned with one game left on the schedule. Key players out: Tampa Bay: D Steve Trittschuh (broken fibula-L), D Chad McCarty (broken ankle-L); MetroStars: D Daniel Hernandez (fractured knee cap-R), D Mark Semioli (2nd degree hamstring strain-R), M Billy Walsh (foot stress fracture-R), F Clint Mathis (national team), M Richie Williams (national team) Notes: NASL reunion day at the Meadowlands will feature a distinct Colombian flavor, as Mutiny midfield maestro Carlos Valderrama faces the Metros’ trio of Colombians in Valencia, Alex Comas and Pedro Alvarez … Tampa catches a slight break as the Metros will likely lose Clint Mathis and Richie Williams to national team duty, but the Mutiny will still need solid performances from D Craig Demmin and GK Scott Garlick to keep the Metros off the board … The absence of Williams in the midfield should allow Valderrama more room to work and the speed of rookie striker Ali Curtis could cause problems for the Metros backline … On the flanks, the MetroStars should have a decided advantage with Mark Chung and Petter Villegas, but if winger Steve Ralston returns from national team camp his presence could negate Chung … Metros’ D Mike Petke will also be in national team camp this week, and if selected to remain with the team, his absence coupled with the injury to Daniel Hernandez would leave Octavio Zambrano’s squad extremely thin in the back. KEY MATCHUP: Tampa Bay F Mamadou Diallo vs. MetroStars D Mike Petke: The departure of goalkeeper Mike Ammann will do little to cool the heated battle between the league’s most physical players. Even before the Ammann Diallo collision late last season, Petke and the big Senagalese striker had their share of run-ins. Year two of this great rivalry begins Saturday. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Kevin Stott; Assistant Referees: Jorge Reyes (SAR), Francisco Sanchez (JAR) Saturday, April 21 — (4:00 p.m.) — Chicago Fire at Dallas Burn (Telemundo) Season series: First Meeting. All-time regular season series: Chicago leads 7-5-0 (Chicago leads 24-19 in aggregate goals) Leading scorers: Chicago: M Dema Kovalenko (1g, 1a = 3pts); Dallas: M Jorge Rodriguez (2g, 0a = 4pts) Did you know? Dallas has been outscored 14-5 in six matches at Soldier Field. Key players out: Chicago: Sergi Daniv (ankle scope-L), Hristo Stoitchkov (medial ankle sprain-L), Peter Nowak (hamstring strain-L); Dallas: none Notes: National team camp will likely weaken a Fire lineup that could ill afford any more absences … Without M Chris Armas and F Josh Wolff, Chicago will scramble to fill out a starting 11 that was already without Hristo Stoitchkov and Peter Nowak … Dallas awaits at nearly full-strength, although striker Jason Kreis starts the week as questionable with a hyper-extended knee … The Burn appeared to fill its defensive gaps in blanking the Earthquakes’ potent attack on the road last weekend following a poor defensive effort against Tampa in their season opener … Assuming he’s healthy, Armas is a lock to stay with the national team, meaning that Dallas M Oscar Pareja should find room in the midfield to create chances … Chicago’s offense will need to come from John Wolyniec, and recent addition Jamar Beasley who could shift to forward in Wolff’s absence. KEY MATCHUP: Chicago M Dema Kovalenko vs. Dallas M Ted Eck: Kovalenko’s two-way game must be at its best, as he’ll be counted on to run the Fire midfield. Unless Peter Nowak makes an unlikely recovery, Eck will be able to key on Kovalenko, who fed the Fire offense and helped frustrate Marco Etcheverry on the defensive end in Saturday’s win vs. United. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Brian Hall; Assistant Referees: Tom Bobadilla (SAR), Paul Scott (JAR) Saturday, April 21 — (7:30 p.m.) — New England Revolution at D.C. United (FOX New England, HTS) Season series: First Meeting. All-time regular season series: United lead 12-8-0 (United lead 30-26 in aggregate goals) Leading scorers: New England: M Leonel Alvarez (1g, 0a = 2pts); United: F Raul Diaz Arce (1g, 1a = 3pts) Did you know? The last time New England started the season with three straight defeats was 1998. Key players out: New England: M Yari Allnut (foot surgery-R), M Ted Chronopoulos (knee surgery-R); United: M Marco Etcheverry (red card suspension), M Ben Olsen (ankle fracture-R), F Jaime Moreno (knee surgery-R), D Eddie Pope (big toe sprain-L) Notes: The Revolution hit the road for the second time in three weeks during a season opening stretch that will see the team play five of their first six matches away from Foxboro Stadium … National team camp could leave United without midfielder Bobby Convey and defender Carey Talley, both of whom joined the U.S. contingent in St. Louis this week … United figures to rely on rookie midfielders Ryan Nelsen and Mark Lisi with regulars Marco Etcheverry (suspension) and Ben Olsen (injury) sidelined, in addition to the potential absence of Convey … With New England still searching for consistency up front and in the midfield, Saturday may feature the MLS debut of the Revolution’s Brazilian midfielder Cate, who was held out of last weekend’s loss to Miami with a slight hamstring strain … United will look to get its offense back on track following the shutout loss at Chicago … New England will definitely field a more experienced lineup in this match, although coach Fernando Clavijo is still searching for a cohesive mix. KEY MATCHUP: New England M Andy Williams vs. United M Ryan Nelsen: Williams will be the key to New England’s transition from offense to defense, and Nelsen will likely be assigned to shadow him. Unless Williams can create more space for attackers William Sunsing, Wolde Harris and Johnny Torres, the Revs offense will continue to struggle. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Michael Kennedy; Assistant Referees: Robert Fereday (SAR), George Vergara (JAR) Saturday, April 21 — (7:30 p.m.) — San Jose Earthquakes at Miami Fusion (FOX Bay Area – TD 11 p.m. ET) Season series: First Meeting. All-time regular season series: San Jose leads series 4-1-1 (San Jose leads 15-5 in aggregate goals) Leading scorers: San Jose: four players tied with two points (Troy Dayak, Dwayne DeRosario and Ronald Cerritos all scored one goal); Miami: Alex Pineda Chacon (2g, 0a = 4pts) Did you know? In the past two seasons, the Earthquakes have outscored the Fusion 11-3 in four games. Key players out: San Jose: D Jimmy Conrad (fractured foot – R), M Harut Karapetyan (ankle surgery – L); Miami: none. Notes: The Earthquakes, who capitalized on scoring chances in their first match at Los Angeles could not find the mark in their home opener last weekend against Dallas … The Fusion have shown a quick transition game in the first matches of the season with the likes of Preki and Chris Henderson rapidly advancing the attack … The team expects forward Diego Serna back after serving a one-game suspension in the midweek game at Kansas City as well as Ian Bishop and Ivan McKinley who did not join the team in Kansas City due to team disciplinary reasons … Fusion defender Carlos Llamosa may miss a second consecutive home game if he makes the final cut for the National Team’s roster for the World Cup Qualifier against Costa Rica … The Earthquakes may also see the national team claim two of its players in defender Jeff Agoos and forward Landon Donovan … Dwayne DeRosario will be leaving San Jose after this match to join the Canadian National Team, but will be back for the game … Danish midfielder Ronnie Ekelund may have the paperwork in place to start the match at Lockhart Stadium, where he showed his worth during Spring Training. KEY MATCHUP: San Jose M Richard Mulrooney vs. Miami M Ian Bishop: Both players have been praised for their ball-winning skills in the middle of the field and their ability to distribute passes. With the Earthquakes springing the attack with ease on the road against Los Angeles on opening weekend, possession will be vital for Bishop and the Fusion. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Sergio Vega; Assistant Referees: Kermit Quisenberry (SAR), Greg Watson (JAR) Saturday, April 21 — (7:30 p.m.) — Kansas City Wizards at Columbus Crew (Metro Sports) Season series: First Meeting. All-time regular season series: Columbus leads series 7-6-0 (Columbus leads 32-24 in aggregate goals) Leading scorers: Kansas City: M Matt McKeon, M Chris Klein (1g, 1a = 3pts); Columbus: John Wilmar Perez (1g, 1a = 3pts). Did you know? Wizards forward Mo Johnston is the only player to have appeared in all 13 matches in series history. Key players out: Kansas City: D Peter Vermes (abdominal strain); Columbus: F Brian McBride (knee sprain-R), D Duncan Oughton (ankle sprain-L). Notes: The Columbus Crew are off to their best start in team history, earning four points in their first two games of 2001 … The four points, which all came against Central Division opponents Chicago and Tampa Bay equal the total points earned in 2000 in their division (the team went 1-10-1) … Crew M John Wilmar Perez, who did not start in the season opener, was also a factor in Tampa, netting one goal and one assist … For the first time this season, the Crew has a full week to prepare for this match after playing four games in 11 days with their participation in the Football Confederation Giants Cup … Wizards GK Tony Meola may also be missing for the match if he makes the final roster cut for the U.S. national team’s match against Costa Rica … The Crew defeated the Wizards 2-0 at Crew Stadium last July 15 for the future champions’ only shutout loss on the road all season. KEY MATCHUP: Kansas City F Roy Lassiter vs. Columbus D Tenywa Bonseu: After shutting down last year’s Budweiser Scoring champion Mamadou Diallo last week, ‘T-Bone’ has the chance to cap off an impressive stretch as he goes up against MLS’ All-Time leading scorer in Roy Lassiter. “The Dawg” has seen them all when it comes to defenders, but his guile and experience should offer Bonseu his toughest challenge thus far as Lassiter tries to become MLS’ first 200-point man. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Richard Heron; Assistant Referees: Nate Clement (SAR), Craig Lowry (JAR) Saturday, April 21 — (10:00 p.m.) — Colorado Rapids at Los Angeles Galaxy (FOX Rocky Mtn., FOX Sports West) Season series: First Meeting. All-time regular season series: Los Angeles leads 13-7-0 (Los Angeles leads 37-21 in aggregate goals). Leading scorers: Colorado: M John Spencer (1g, 1a = 3pts); Los Angeles: D/F Adam Frye, D Greg Vanney, F Sasha Victorine (1g, 0a = 2pts). Did you know? The last time the Los Angeles Galaxy started the season off with a losing streak, it was snapped with a 2-1 victory against the Colorado Rapids at the Rose Bowl on April 18, 1997 (Galaxy started the 1997 season 0-3). Key players out: Colorado: M Wes Hart (achilles strain-L), D Robin Fraser (abdominal strain); Los Angeles: none. Notes: Saturday’s battle at the Rose Bowl features two teams seeking their first wins of the season after two matches … Although the Galaxy lost against the Wizards 2-1 last Saturday, Head Coach Sigi Schmid felt they created dangerous scoring opportunities, but finished poorly … Los Angeles did show defensive lapses for the second week in a row, suffering another crippling early goal … It will not help the Galaxy’s efforts on the back line if either defender Greg Vanney or Danny Califf are part of the final U.S. national team roster for World Cup qualifying match against Costa Rica … The Rapids are a team that has shown a formidable attack coupled with a few defensive misgivings … Former English Premier League player John Spencer has threatened the opponent’s goal in each of his first two-matches … Colorado’s combination of Junior Agogo and 6-3 Neathan Gibson kept the MetroStars off-balance last weekend … Recent Colorado acquisition Robin Fraser, a five-year Galaxy starter, who would be a welcome addition to a back line featuring Marcelo Balboa and newcomer Stephen Herdsman, but the U.S. national team veteran will not start for Colorado due to an abdominal injury. KEY MATCHUP: Colorado M John Spencer vs. Los Angeles M Simon Elliott: When these two players clash in the middle of the field, it will be a true last-man-standing matchup as neither will be giving up on the ball too easily. Spencer has been a key in both the Rapids’ goals this season and it could spell trouble for Colorado if he is taken out of the game. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Reggie Rutty; Assistant Referees: Chris Strickland (SAR), David Bragg (JAR)