It wasn’t too long ago that the MetroStars were D.C. United’s whipping boys. Now, it’s the MetroStars’ turn.

The ‘Stars (7-7-0, 21 pts.) look to make it three wins in a row tonight at Giants Stadium when they face the defending MLS champions, and, more importantly, extend their current win streak to three.

D.C. is in an unfamiliar place as they have already lost one more game than they lost all of last season (9), wasting away in the cellar with a 3-10-3 (12 pts.) record. The ‘Stars, however, still see the United as a threat.

“They’ve been in every single game they’ve lost. They could be 0-14 and still be a dangerous team.”‘Stars head coach Octavio Zambrano said.

“They’re champions and they’re not going to roll over and die,” midfielder Tab Ramos added.

The MetroStars, who have won four of their last five games, are suddenly in a fight for first place, trailing the New England Revolution (7-5-4, 25 pts.) by four points. Through 14 games, they’ve already equaled last season’s win total (7) and surpassed last season’s point total (15).

Remarkabely, they’ve done it without Lothar Matthaus, who has been playing in the European Championships with the German national team since late April. The 5-8 defender is expected back this weekend after Portugal ousted Germany, 3-0, in the first round yesterday. Zambrano is unsure how much the German will be able to contribute right away. “I don’t think [Matthaus] will be ready to be with us,” Zambrano said, noting Matthaus would need a week to get things at home in order first.

Still, right now the ‘Stars have things in order. While nobody knows how far they can stretch this streak, the one thing that’s for certain is the MetroStars aren’t anyone’s whipping boys any longer.