‘Big Mama’ Is Big Trouble for Galaxy

Mamadou Diallo scored four goals and Andy Williams had three assists to lead the New York/New Jersey MetroStars to a 5-0 victory over the Galaxy on Saturday in front of 22,071 at Giants Stadium.

The MetroStars acquired Diallo, known as “Big Mama,” and Williams on May 24 from the New England Revolution in the biggest trade in MLS history.

It was the second time Diallo has scored four goals in a game against the Galaxy. He also did it while playing for the Tampa Bay Mutiny in a 4-4 tie on May 9, 2001.

Saturday’s loss was the most lopsided in Galaxy history. The Galaxy (5-5-2) had never lost by more than three goals.

“We had a bad game,” Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid said. “I thought we gave them a couple of counter-attacking goals. We had four or five opportunities, but the difference was that they finished their opportunities and we didn’t.

“You don’t get any points whether you lose 3-0 or 5-0, so you have to try to get back in the game, and we didn’t.”

Diallo scored the first goal for the MetroStars (4-5-2) in the 27th minute, off a 45-yard pass from Williams. Diallo unleashed a low liner from 16 yards out that eluded Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.

Diallo scored again nine minutes later, helped in part by Galaxy defender Alexi Lalas, who inadvertently knocked the ball of him.

In the second half, Diallo got the fourth hat trick of his career, on a brilliant pass from Williams, who led Diallo perfectly to the left corner of the net in the 58th minute. He scored his fourth goal on a penalty kick in injury time after he was fouled in the box.

MetroStar goalkeeper Tim Howard stopped six shots for the shutout, the ninth of his career and his first this season.

The Galaxy had eight corner kicks, but only four shots on goal.