Ralston Scores Twice as Mutiny Beats Rapids

Steve Ralston’s goal with four seconds to play gave the Tampa Bay Mutiny a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday before 12,097 in Tampa.

It was Ralston’s second goal of the game and Colombian midfielder Carlos Valderrama assisted on both.

With the Mutiny (5-2) trailing, 1-0, Ralston scored from only 10 feet out on a pass from Valderrama in the 71st minute to tie the score.

The game-winner came on a breakaway on the right side of the field that was started by Mark Feruzzi. Feruzzi crossed to Valderrama, who sent the ball to Ralston for a hard 12-yard shot that beat goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.

Colorado (3-6) took the lead in the 56th minute on Steve Trittschuh’s header, his third goal of the season. Peter Vermes sent a short corner kick to Adrian Paz, who crossed to Trittschuh, who headed it in from eight yards.

Dallas 3, D.C. United 2 (shootout)--Midfielder Jason Kreis tied the score on a penalty kick after a controversial call with two minutes left to play and the Burn won the shootout, 2-1, for the victory before 15,493 at a wet and windy RFK Stadium in Washington.

Kreis converted after Arnold Cruz was whistled for a penalty-box tackle on Gerrell Elliot.

United’s John Harkes was given a yellow card for protesting the call, and a fan also ran onto the field to yell at referee Zimmerman Boulos.

It was the second shootout victory in six days for the Burn (5-4) over United (5-3), and both times Ted Eck scored the decisive shootout goal.