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BURN 2, METROSTARS 1 (OT)
BAKER FIELD -- NEW YORK, NY
SEPTEMBER 2, 1997
U.S. OPEN CUP SEMIFINALS

NEW YORK -- Jorge Flores' "golden goal" in the 103rd minute lifted the Dallas Burn past the MetroStars, 2-1, and into the final of the U.S. Open Cup, before 1,201 spectators at Columbia University's Baker Field.

Dallas will meet the winner of Wednesday's match between D.C. United and the San Francisco Bay Seals in the final. The time and place of the final is to be determined.

"We've now seen both sides of the coin," said MetroStars coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. "In the quarterfinal (a 1-0 overtime victory over the Long Island Rough Riders), we felt what it was like to win in sudden death and tonight, we felt what it was like to lose. We wanted very badly to make it to
the final."

The MetroStars tied the game, 1-1, with five minutes remaining when Branco connected on a 25-yard free kick, drilling a left-footed shot through the wall and past Dallas keeper Garth Lagerwey. Dallas had taken the lead in the 17th minute on a goal by Damian and nearly made that goal stand up for the victory. MetroStars goalkeeper Tony Meola stopped a penalty kick by Jason Kreis in the 61st minute to keep the Metros close.

The winning goal came just seconds after the MetroStars Antony De Avila missed a close-range volley that could have ended the game. On a quick counter, a ball was played wide to Wade Webber on the right and his cross found Flores, who one-timed a right-footed shot from just inside the area into the lower right corner of the net.

Official Box Score