Date
: Saturday, June 19, 2004
Time
: 4:00 p.m. ET
Location
: Giants Stadium
Local TV: ESPN2
Play-by-play: JP Dellacamera
Analyst: Eric Wynalda
Producer: Mitch Green
VYVX Conf #: 1650722
Local Spanish Radio: WADO 1280 AM
Play-by-play: Ernesto Motta
Analyst: Robert Sierra
Referee: Ricardo Salazar
Referee's Asst.: Chip Reed (SAR), Jose Andrade (JAR)
Fourth Official: Kenny Heller
Injury Report:
Tenywa Bonseu - OUT - Strained left groin
Michael Bradley - OUT - Stress fracture of right talarnavicular
Sergio Galvan Rey - DOUBTFUL - Strained left hip flexor
Mark Lisi - QUESTIONABLE - Right ankle sprain
Eddie Pope - QUESTIONABLE - Heel contusion
Joselito Vaca - QUESTIONABLE - Strained back
Probable Starters
GK #18 Zach Wells
D #3 Chris Leitch
D #12 Jeff Parke
D #23 Eddie Pope
D #2 Ricardo Clark
M #24 Eddie Gaven
M #8 Mark Lisi
M #25 Gilberto Flores
M #10 Joselito Vaca
F #15 John Wolyniec
F #7 Mike Magee
METRO NOTES:
Up next, Los Angeles: The MetroStars come back to Giants Stadium when they host the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday, June 19 at 4 p.m. ET (TV: ESPN2, Spanish Radio: WADO 1280 AM). The "Red and Black" last squared off with the Galaxy on August 16, 2003 when the two squads played to a 1-1 tie at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.
After hitting the road for their next two games against the Galaxy and New England Revolution on June 23 and 26 respectively, the MetroStars will return to Giants Stadium for a doubleheader on Wednesday, June 30. After taking on Western Conference foes, the Colorado Rapids, the MetroStars will host an international friendly between Argentina and Peru.
Tickets are available for all MetroStars home games at the Continental Airlines Arena box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets will also be available through Ticketmaster by phone for callers in New Jersey (201-507-8900), New York (212-307-7171), and for Spanish-speaking customers throughout New York and New Jersey (212-307-4757).
Within striking distance: Even with the Metros' 3-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes last Saturday, the "Red and Black" stayed in third place in the Eastern Conference, tied with D.C. United with two games in hand. They are also on pace with their Eastern Conference rivals, the Chicago Fire (16 points) and the Columbus Crew (15 points) with 13 points, as the Metros also have a game in hand over the Fire.
Holding the fort: Even though the MetroStars fell at home for the first time in 2004 on June 5th against Dallas, their form is still strong at Giants Stadium with a record of 2-1-2 at home. They have won twice (April 17 3-2 vs. D.C. United; May 30 1-0 vs. Kansas City Wizards), tied twice (April 25 1-1 vs. New England Revolution; May 15 1-1 vs. Chicago Fire) and lost once (June 5 2-0 vs. Dallas Burn). On the other side of the coin, their opponents, the L.A. Galaxy, find it more difficult to earn W's away from The Home Depot Center. While they are 5-1-2 in Carson, they are a mere 1-2-1 when they go on the road.
"Parke"ing it home: MetroStars defender Jeff Parke scored his first career MLS goal for the "Red and Black" last Saturday in their 3-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes. Parke's diving header in the 59th minute, which cancelled out Earthquakes defender Jeff Agoos' 27th minute strike, was not the first time the 22 year old has found the back of the net in a Metros' uniform however. The former Drexel University standout also scored a pre-season game winning goal to help the MetroStars defeat Viking FK of Norway 1-0 in the final of the 2004 La Manga Cup.
MetroStars "Relay for Life" with ACS: The MetroStars announced that they have formed a partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS) to help promote their first-ever "Relay for Life" at Giants Stadium - an event which will start tonight and will run overnight until tomorrow.
"Relay for Life" is the ACS's signature fundraising activity, offering the community a chance to participate in the fight against cancer. The "Relay" includes teams of people walking or running around a "Relay" course throughout the night. The "Relay" course will be set up inside the Giants Stadium bubble, along with various other fun activities.
The MetroStars partnership with ACS will bring a unique element to the Giants Stadium "Relay for Life". This year's event will include an overnight soccer tournament. The 7v7 tournament will take place on the Giants Stadium field and run from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. The tournament is open to adult teams with players 18 and older.
Chivas Regal Cup at Giants Stadium: The MetroStars will host the Chivas Regal Cup at Giants Stadium immediately following the conclusion of their match against the Los Angeles Galaxy tomorrow evening. This marks the second consecutive year that the Chivas Regal Cup, the Championship match of Champions League Soccer (CLS) has been played in conjunction with a MetroStars match at Giants Stadium.
As a sponsor, Chivas Regal is making it possible for Champions League Soccer to play its Championship Match of the 2003-04 Season at Giants Stadium. Complete information regarding the day can be found at www.MetroStars.com or at www.championsleaguesoccer.com.
Champions League Soccer (CLS) is one of only 2 USSF Regional Leagues directly affiliated with the U.S. Soccer Federation. The league is composed of teams from the tri-state area, and gives future top-level players the opportunity to play side-by-side with former MLS and MetroStars players like Billy Walsh and Nansha Kalonji, and former New England Revolution players Jesse Van Saun and Kevin Anderson.
Chivas Regal is imported and marked by Pernod Ricard in the USA. Pernod Ricard produces Wild Turkey Bourbon and Extra Seagram's Dry Gin and imports and markets Chivas Regal Scotch Whiskey, The Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whiskey, Jameson and Bushmills Irish Whiskeys, Martell Cognac, Jacob's Creek and Wyndham Estate Wines.
Pope back in "Red and Black": MetroStars defender Eddie Pope rejoined the "Red and Black" on Tuesday after being let go by U.S. national team coach Bruce Arena following a 3-0 victory over Grenada in the first leg of a World Cup Qualifier. Pope played the full game yesterday and earned his 61st cap with the team. The MetroStars are glad to have the central defender back - they are 10-7-11 when Pope plays in the game.
MetroStars teammate Jonny Walker will stay with the national team in preparation for the second leg match against Grenada on Sunday. The goalkeeper earned his first three caps for the senior team earlier this year, posting a 1-0-2 record. After opening with a 1-1 draw against Denmark on Jan. 18 at the Home Depot Center, Walker became the fourth U.S. goalkeeper in history to record a shutout in their first appearance against Mexico with the 1-0 blanking of "El Tri" on April 28 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. He did not play in the game against Grenada.
Bradley, Sigi face off: In a battle of MLS coaching legends, MetroStars Head Coach Bob Bradley and L.A. Galaxy head coach Sigi Schmid will face off this Saturday. Bradley and Schmid have a combined 172 wins, with the MetroStars coach holding the league record with 96 career regular season victories in his MLS head-coaching career. Schmid is the closest active coach to Bradley with 76 wins, and needs seven more to surpass Thomas Rongen (D.C., NE, TB) for second place in career regular season victories. Bradley is 6-10-3 lifetime against the Galaxy while Schmid is 5-4-2 when facing the "Red and Black."
Shot in the foot?: Although the MetroStars have dropped the last two games, they are still creating many chances. The "Red and Black" are ranked 3rd in the league this season in shots on goal with 69 - behind D.C. United and the L.A. Galaxy. Although United and L.A. have taken nine and six more shots on goal respectively, they have also both played two more games than the MetroStars. Additionally, the MetroStars are fourth in total shots (161), behind the Kansas City Wizards (168), Chicago Fire (164) and United (164) - all of those teams who have played one or more games than the "Red and Black" in the 2004 season.
Terris Joins squad: Andrew Terris, former goalkeeper at Stanford University, has been called into MetroStars camp this week to serve as a backup to current 'keeper, Zach Wells. Terris has spent time training with the Los Angeles Galaxy this season. At Stanford, he was named as an All-Academic, All Pac-10 selection and an All-American Academic selection. Wells will assume the starting role for the Metros while Jonny Walker is with the United States national team for their World Cup Qualifiers against Grenada.
Guevara helps national team: MetroStars midfielder Amado Guevara played the full 90 minutes in the Honduran national team's 2-1 victory over Netherlands Antilles last Saturday in a World Cup Qualifier. Guevara, who has the record for the most Honduras national team appearances with 82 caps, will stay with the national team in preparation for their second leg match against the Netherlands Antilles tomorrow. He is expected to be back for the MetroStars' June 23 game in Los Angeles against the Galaxy.
Reggae Boyz rumble with Haiti: MetroStars defender Craig Ziadie played the full 90 minutes with the Jamaican national team in the first-leg of a World Cup qualifying match against Haiti last Saturday - a game which ended in a 1-1 draw. Zaidie's MetroStars teammate, forward Fabian Taylor, was also in the squad, and both players will be with Jamaica for their second leg game against Haiti on Sunday. Ziadie has earned 21 caps for the Reggae Boyz under manager Carl Brown since making his international debut on November 20, 2002, vs. Japan in a 1-1 tie in Tokyo. Taylor has earned 29 caps and nine goals with the Jamaican national team since making his first appearance with the full squad in 1999.
Glen for T&T: MetroStars forward Cornell Glen was with the Trinidad and Tobago national team during their 2-0 victory over the Dominican Republic in a first leg World Cup Qualifying Match on June 13. The 22-year-old Glen has earned 13 caps, scoring one goal for the "Soca Warriors," since making his first appearance with the full team on November 15, 2002, in a 2-0 win over St. Kitts and Nevis in a 2003 Gold Cup Qualifier. Glen will be on the squad for the Soca Warriors in their second-leg match against the Dominican Republic on Sunday.
Staying at the top: The Metros are undefeated this season when scoring first. They have maintained their lead to either win or tie in three matches (May 8: 5-5 tie against San Jose Earthquakes; May 15: 1-1 tie vs. Chicago Fire; May 30 1-0 win vs. Kansas City Wizards).
Comeback kids: The MetroStars have come back five times this season after being down one goal to either win or tie a game. The Metros defeated the Columbus Crew (3-1, April 3) and D.C. United (3-2, April 17) and came back to tie the San Jose Earthquakes (5-5, May 8) and the New England Revolution twice (1-1, April 25, 1-1, May 22) ensuring at least a point for their squad in each match.
Longest standing: Midfielder Mark Lisi and defender Craig Ziadie are the longest standing MetroStars on the 2004 squad. The duo joined the Metros on May 9, 2002, in a trade with D.C. United in exchange for Orlando Perez and Petter Villegas.
