Up Next, CHICAGO:
The Metros continue with their busiest stretch of the season on Tuesday when they host the Chicago Fire at Giants Stadium. The game is part of a doubleheader with England vs. Colombia at 4 p.m. ET and the MetroStars vs. Fire slated for 6:30 p.m. ET (TV: Fox Soccer Channel, Spanish Radio: WADO 1280 AM).
The MetroStars are in the midst of their busiest stretch of the season with five games in 14 days. Thus far during the stretch the "Red and Black" are 1-1-1 during the stretch. On Saturday the Metros will finish up the five games when they travel cross-country to battle the Galaxy at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles.
Included in the current stretch are road trips to Kansas City, Columbus and Los Angeles and home games against the Revolution and the Chicago Fire.
The Metros return home to Giants Stadium when they host D.C. United on June 12 at 6:00 p.m. ET.
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).
METROS DOMINATE CREW: The MetroStars improved their road record to 3-1-0 on Saturday when they soundly defeated the Crew, 3-0, in Columbus at Crew Stadium. Youri Djorkaeff, Eddie Gaven and Abbe Ibrahim tallied goals in the win.
TWO FIRSTS: MetroStars forwards Youri Djorkaeff and Abbe Ibrahim both tallied their first career MLS goals last Saturday against the Crew.
GAVEN ON FIRE: MetroStars midfielder Eddie Gaven has had an amazing month of May. During the month he has tallied four goals and an assist while leading the MetroStars to a record of 2-1-2 during the second month of the season.
385 DAYS: MetroStars forward Youri Djorkaeff has been scoring goals professionally for over 18 years, however his goal last weekend marked the first time he has found the back of the net for the first time since May 8, 2004 when he was tallied a double for Bolton in their 2-1 win over Everton.
GUEVARA LOVES TO SHARE: MetroStars midfielder Amado Guevara tallied two assists in the Metros' 3-0 win over the Crew last weekend. The two assist output tied his career high. He now has four dimes on the year.
A FIRST FOR M-BRAD: Michael Bradley was credited with an assist on Eddie Gaven's 47th minute goal last weekend. This marked the 17-year old Bradley's first career MLS assist and his first career point.
WARD SIDELINED: Rookie Tim Ward was forced out of the MetroStars match last Wednesday night against Kansas City with a strained left hamstring. He is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with the injury.
Last Saturday in the MetroStars 2-2 draw with the Revolution, Ward assisted on Eddie Gaven's goal, by sending a low cross through traffic in the box that Gaven hammered home.
GILBERTO SEES TIME: When midfielder Gilberto has seen action in the MetroStars last two games. He came on for Mark Lisi in the 69th minute of last Wednesday's match, and in the 73rd minute of last Saturday's game for Mike Magee.
BANNER WEEK FOR Wells: MetroStars goalkeeper Zach Wells had a stellar week between the pipes last weekend.
First, he earned his career high for saves with nine against the Revolution on May 21, and then last Saturday he made a show-stopping save on a Kyle Martino penalty kick to preserve a 3-0 shutout win.
Wells currently ranks second in the league in goals against average standing at 0.89. New England goalkeeper Matt Reis leads the league with a 0.78 Goals Against Average. Wells is tied for fourth in the league with three shotouts on the season.
Mendes and Parke back: MetroStars defenders Carlos Mendes and Jeff Parke started last Saturday's game together as the two central defenders. Though the pair started the first three games of the season together, last Saturday marked the first time since Aprill 22 that the duo started together.
Bradley vs. THE FIRE: Since coming to the MetroStars before the 2003 season from the Chicago Fire, head coach Bob Bradley has struggled against his former club with a record of 2-4-4 in regular season action. Last year history was made when the two teams met, as Bradley not only secured his first win against the Fire, but also became the first coach in MLS history to garner 100 career wins.
GUEVARA PUTTING OUT THE FIRE: MetroStars midfielder Amado Guevara has played in eight games against Chicago in his career. In those eight games, he has scored four goals, and tallied three assists.
Metros Defense: The Metros defense ranks second in the league for the fewest goals allowed in MLS - with eight. New England leads the league having only allowed seven. The next closest team to the MetroStars in this category is the FC Dallas and the Los Angeles Galaxy who are tied with ten.
MetroStars on TV: Tuesday, May 31: MetroStars vs. Chicago Fire - Fox Soccer Channel - 6:30 p.m. ET. Saturday, June 4: MetroStars @ Los Angeles - MSG 10:00 p.m. ET.
Metro soccer report: MSG will air the Metro Soccer Report this week on Thursday at 10:30 p.m. ET. The show will also re-run four more times (on Friday at 6:30 p.m., Friday at 11:00 p.m. ET and on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. ET and 9:00 p.m. ET).
