UP NEXT, CHICAGO:
Currently sitting on the outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture looking in, the MetroStars have three matches left this season - all coming on the road.
The "Red and Black" kick off their busy travel schedule with a midweek tilt in Chicago, when they meet the Fire at Soldier Field on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
They then travel down I-95 to the nation's capital to take on rival D.C. United on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Following this stretch, the Metros wrap up the season on October 16 at Chivas USA in Los Angeles at the Home Depot Center on ESPN2.
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).
THREE IN THREE: Midfielder/forward Mike Magee has now scored three goals in the last three games. Magee set a career high for goals in a game on September 17 when he tallied a double against the Revolution, while the third came against DC on 10/1.
STAND-ALONE SEASON HIGH: 27,670 fans came out for the MetroStars final home game of the regular season against DC United on 10/1- a 2005 stand-alone game season high. The overall season high in attendance for the MetroStars came on May 31, when 50,070 fans attended the England/Colombia-MetroStars/Chicago Fire doubleheader.
FIRST LOSS AT HOME IN 12: After riding an 11 game unbeaten streak at home, the Metros fell last weekend 4-1 against D.C. United for the first time at home since May 7th against San Jose.
BRADLEY vs. THE FIRE: Since coming to the MetroStars before the 2003 season from the Chicago Fire, head coach Bob Bradley has posted a record of 3-4-4 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. Follow his progress in with the first story in a three-part series
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 five goals, and tallied four assists.
RAZOV RETURNS TO CHI-TOWN: Wednesday will mark the first time MetroStars forward Ante Razov will return to Chicago to play against his former team, the Fire.
Razov was a member of the Fire from the team's inception through 2004, winning one MLS Cup and two U.S. Open Cups with the club. He was traded from Chicago to Columbus during the off-season between 2004 and 2005 and was dealt to the Metros from Columbus in June.
MEOLA SETS SEASON HIGH: MetroStars goalkeeper Tony Meola set a season high in saves (8) in New England on Saturday, September 24. Meola owns the League's all-time record for saves in a game with 15, which he accomplished as a member of the Metros on 4/5/97 against DC.
FIRST ON THE BOARD: In 2005, the MetroStars own a 8-2-4 record when they score the first goal in a game. On the contrary, when an opponent scores first, they have posted a 2-7-4 mark.
PUTTING UP POINTS: Forward Youri Djorkaeff has tallied at least one point in eight of the last 13 games he has played in.
PLAYOFF PUSH: The MetroStars currently stand in 5th place in the East with just three games remaining. The "Red and Black" need to finish in the top four positions to earn a playoff berth.
Team Games Played Points
X -New England 30 55
X -D.C. United 29 50
Chicago 29 48
Kansas City 30 43
MetroStars 29 40
Columbus 29 34
x -clinched a playoff berth
GALLUCCI NAMED HEAD ATC: The MetroStars announced that they have named John Gallucci head athletic trainer after previously serving the last six years as an athletic trainer for the club.
He replaces Stu Schwerner who has moved on to the position of head athletic trainer at Northern Regional Valley HS at Old Tappan, overseeing all athletes. Schwerner spent eight seasons with the MetroStars.
METRO SOCCER REPORT: MSG will air the Metro Soccer Report this week on Friday at 2:30 p.m. ET.
