Ramos Contributes in Return

Tab Ramos, perhaps a key to the United States’ chances in the World Cup, returned to the field for the first time since October as the New York/New Jersey MetroStars beat the San Jose Clash, 4-3, Saturday before 17,380 at East Rutherford, N.J.

“It means so much to have him out there,” said defender Alexi Lalas, who scored the winning goal with 11 seconds remaining.

Ramos, a veteran of the 1990 and 1994 World Cup tournaments, played the second half and assisted on two goals.

The midfielder tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee against Trinidad and Tobago on Nov. 24, 1996, and hurt the knee again last Nov. 2.

The MetroStars (2-3) originally hoped he’d play 30-35 minutes but that changed when San Jose (2-4) took a 2-0 lead.

New England 3, Miami 0--Joe-Max Moore and Johnny Torres scored first-half goals as the Revolution (2-3) beat the Fusion (3-4) before 15,326 at Foxboro, Mass.

Colorado 5, Chicago 4--Paul Bravo scored the decisive shootout goal as the Rapids (3-3) beat the Fire (2-4) before 10,736 at Chicago.

Dallas 3, Kansas City 1--Damian, making his first start of the season, had an unassisted game-winning goal to lead the Burn (4-2) over Wizards (2-4) before 13,134 at Dallas.