MLS: Knowles tears ACL; Metros fall to U-21 team in Italy

MetroStars defender Matt Knowles tore his right ACL on Feb. 14 and will miss 4-6 months of the MLS season.

Knowles was injured during a match between his NPSL club, the Cleveland Crunch, and the Kansas City Attack.

The 26-year-old defender started 16 regular season games and 2 playoff games for the MetroStars during the inaugural MLS season. This is the second time he has torn his right ACL — he suffered a similar injury in 1993 and made a complete recovery.

Metros fall to U-21 team

The MetroStars fell 3-1 to a Serie C Under-21 national team in a free-substitution scrimmage in Coverciano, Italy on Feb. 18. The All-Star team included 22 players, and the MetroStars also used several guest players. After trailing 3-0 at the half, the Metros avoided the shutout when Roberto Donadoni scored on a penalty kick in the 50th minute. New York/New Jersey will face Genoa of the Serie B in an exhibition Feb. 20.

Feb. 18 in Coverciano

Serie C U-21 team 3 MetroStars 1. Goals: 3, 20 35 (scorers n/a); Donadoni (pen.) 50.

MetroStars Starting Lineup– Thornton, Zavagnin, Hendrickson, Harty, Kelly, Sorber, Donadoni, Joseph, Forzman (guest), Wood, Samardzic (guest).