Up Next, New England:
The Metros return home this weekend when they battle their I-95 North rivals, the New England Revolution. Thus far in 2005 the Revolution are undefeated in MLS play, with a record of 6-0-1. The Revs are led by an explosive attacking unit, which includes Clint Dempsey, Pat Noonan, Steve Ralston and Taylor Twellman. The match is set for 4:00 p.m. ET live on ESPN2.
The MetroStars embark on their busiest stretch of the season with the home game this weekend as they will now play five games in 14 days. The stretch includes road trips to Kansas City, Columbus and Los Angeles and home games against the Revolution and the Chicago Fire.
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 Put Out Fire:
The MetroStars turned in another dominating road performance last weekend when they downed the Fire 3-0 at Soldier Field. The Metros were led in the scoring column by teenage sensation Eddie Gaven, who tallied his first two goals on the 2005 MLS season in the match.
The win marked the first time the "Red and Black" have won in the Windy City since 1998.
Djorkaeff and Agoos Return:
After missing two games due to calf injuries, both Youri Djorkaeff and Jeff Agoos returned to action for the "Red and Black" last Saturday against the Fire. Both played key roles in the contest, as Djorkaeff tallied an assist and Agoos anchored the defense that recorded a shutout.
MetroStars on TV:
Saturday, May 21: MetroStars vs. New England Revolution - ESPN2, 4:00 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 three more times before the team's next game this Saturday (on Friday at 6:30 p.m., Friday at 11:00 p.m. ET and on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. ET).
2nd Shutout for Wells:
MetroStars goalkeeper Zach Wells earned his second shutout of his career last Saturday when the Metros beat the Fire 3-0.
In addition to keeping the clean sheet, Wells made a career high five saves in the contest. He currently ranks second in the league with a .83 goals against average.
Metros Defense:
The Metros defense is tied with the Revolution's defense for the fewest goals allowed in MLS - with five.
Multi Goal Scorers:
The MetroStars have only scored goals in three of the six games that the team has played this year. However, in each of the three games that they have scored in, they have had a multi-goal scorer. Sergio Galvan Rey tallied two goals on April 16 in a 2-2 draw against the Kansas City Wizards, Amado Guevara registered a hat-trick on April 30 in a 3-1 win over Colorado and then last weekend Eddie Gaven notched a double in a 3-0 win over the Chicago Fire.
G-Men:
Eddie Gaven and Amado Guevara provided the scoring for the MetroStars on Saturday for their 3-0 win over the Fire. Guevara tallied the first goal, and eventual game-winner, while Eddie Gaven put an exclamation point on the win by adding two tallies.
U-20 Duty:
MetroStars midfielder Eddie Gaven and defender Tim Ward traveled directly from Chicago to Minnesota where they will be in U-20 camp until Thursday. During this time the team will take on the Canadian U-20 National Team.
Schedule Change:
The MetroStars announced on Wednesday that their match against the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field originally scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 28 at 7:00 p.m. ET, will now take place on Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 8:30 p.m. ET at Soldier Field in Chicago. The date change is the result of a scheduling conflict with the Chicago Bears.
First Assist for Mags:
MetroStars forward Mike Magee tallied his first assist of the 2005 MLS season when he registered a helper on Eddie Gaven's second goal.
Happy Graduation:
MetroStars defender Jason Hernandez recently graduated from Seton Hall University. Commencement was held on Monday, May 9 at the Continental Airlines Arena.
Hernandez has not yet seen time with the full team, but has seen time in every reserve game the Metros have had.
Metros Add Two:
The MetroStars announced on Friday, May 13 that they signed two players- Senegalese defender Mamadou Ibrahima Diallo and Brazilian defender Danilo da Silva. Per MLS policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
Diallo, a 21-year old from Medina, Senegal, has two caps on the Senegal National Team and 20 career caps on the B-National team. In 2004, he started at left back for one of the top clubs in Senegal, Jeanne D'Arc. His team captured the League and Cup championships in '04 and advanced to the African Champions League semi-finals.
da Silva is an 18-year old Brazilian who played the last three seasons with Ginasio Pinhalense de Esportes Atleticos, the same former club as current MetroStar Gilberto. The center back also played for Folhia Seca F.C. in his hometown of Campinas, Brazil and Independiente Limeira F.C from 2001-2002.
Both Diallo and da Silva will be slotted as Youth Internationals, leaving the MetroStars with one Youth International slot remaining. The club also has one Senior International slot remaining.
