Up next, Colorado
The MetroStars come back to Giants Stadium after a two game cross-country swing when they host the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, June 30 at 7 p.m. ET (TV: FSNY, Spanish Radio: WADO 1280 AM), kicking off the first part of a double header. The "Red and Black" last squared off with their Western Conference counterparts on July 26, 2003, when the Rapids won 1-0 in Colorado. Following the conclusion of the MetroStars/Rapids game, fans will get to see the Peru and Argentina national teams facing off in an international friendly.
This weekend, the MetroStars will hit the road for their next game against Freddy Adu and D.C. United on July 3 before coming back to Giants Stadium a week later to take on Landon Donovan and the San Jose Earthquakes.
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).
MetroStars on TV
Setting the pace
Even with the Metros' 2-1 loss against the New England Revolution on Saturday, the "Red and Black" stayed at the top of the Eastern Conference with 19 points due to stumbles by Eastern Conference rivals. The MetroStars are two points ahead of Eastern Conference rivals, the Chicago Fire and D.C. United (17 points). The Columbus Crew is fourth with 15 points.
Amado the great
MetroStars midfielder Amado Guevara has been in fine form over the past week. On last Wednesday, Guevara scored his fourth goal of the year and dished off two assists to teammate Eddie Gaven in the team's 3-0 thumping of the Los Angeles Galaxy. On June 20, Guevara tallied a goal for the Honduran nation team in their 4-0 win over the Netherlands Antilles. And to top it off, Guevara converted a penalty kick in the 90 minute in the MetroStars' 2-1 loss last Saturday against the New England. Guevara now has 14 points this season after his goal in Foxborough, Mass., tying him for second among the Budweiser Scoring Leaders. He trails San Jose Earthquakes forward Brian Ching by a single point. Guevara also averages 1.27 points per game, tied for second in the league.
First time's the charm
The Metros are undefeated this season when scoring first. They have maintained their lead to either win or tie in five 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; June 19: 2-1 win vs. Los Angeles Galaxy; June 23: 3-0 win @ Los Angeles Galaxy).
No place like home
The MetroStars have a record of 3-1-2 in East Rutherford, N.J. They have won three times (April 17: 3-2 vs. D.C. United; May 30: 1-0 vs. Kansas City Wizards; June 19: 2-1 vs. L.A. Galaxy), 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).
Charging Rapids
The Colorado Rapids will present a challenge to the MetroStars on Wednesday as the Western Conference team is coming off a big 2-1 win over the Columbus Crew last Saturday. But the "Red and Black" have had success against the Rapids as they won two of the three games in the 2003 season. The MetroStars lead the all-time series 10-8-1 and also won their last encounter at Giants Stadium, 2-1, on May 3, 2003.
The MetroStars hope that they can take their third game out of their last four this Wednesday even though the "Red and Black" will have played three games in seven days. One player to look out for is MetroStars midfielder Joselito Vaca, who has been sidelined with a back strain, but hopes to be back in time for Wednesday. In eight games against the Rapids, Vaca has garnered seven points (two goals and three assists).
Bradley two away from century
MetroStars head coach Bob Bradley is two wins away from reaching 100 career wins. Bradley's all-time league record of 98 career regular season victories is 22 more than the closest active coach, Sigi Schmid. Schmid needs seven more to surpass Thomas Rongen (D.C., NE, TB) for second place in career regular season victories.
Regan visits St. Barnabas
On Monday Tim Regan and the MetroStars mascot "Metro" visited the Pediatric ward of Saint Barnabas hospital. Tim walked through over ten different rooms talking and inspiring the children. "It was very nice of Tim to come visit us in the hospital" said a young female patient, while another little boy on hand asked his mother if they could attend the next home game to see Tim play. All of the kids had a huge smile when Tim left.
