EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Midfielder Antonio Martinez scored his first two goals of the season and added an assist Saturday night as the Dallas Burn downed the MetroStars, 3-1.
The Dallas goals came in a span of 19 minutes in the second half on NASL Reunion Night.
With San Jose having to settle for a tie against D.C. United earlier in the night, Dallas moved to within two points of the league leading Earthquakes. The Burn and Earthquakes play next Wednesday.
The Burn have now won all three matches against the MetroStars this season.
The second half started on a good note for the MetroStars as midfielder Ross Paule put his team ahead just three minutes after the break. Rookie Brad Davis curled a cross into the box from the left flank and Paule made a near post run, beating the Burn defense and sending a glancing header past Matt Jordan under the crossbar.
Dallas forward Ronald Cerritos came on as a substitute in the 66th minute and promptly scored the equalizer. The Salvadoran controlled a Martinez corner kick service from the left side and sent a searing shot which took a deflection and beat Metros goalkeeper Tim Howard, who had not been severely tested up to that point.
In the 76th minute the Burn took the lead when midfielder and captain Oscar Pareja intercepted an errant pass by a MetroStars player 40 yards from goal. Pareja sprang a wide-open Martinez on the left flank and the latter proceeded unopposed into the box, beating Howard on a low, driven, left-footed shot.
