Up Next, Kansas City:
The MetroStars return to action when they host the Kansas City Wizards at Giants Stadium on Saturday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET (TV: MSG, Spanish Radio: WADO 1280 AM). Kansas City, though not an expansion team, are new to the Eastern Conference making this match one of the most important of the early season.
The MetroStars continue their homestand the following weekend when they host the Chicago Fire at Giants Stadium at 8:00 p.m. ET (TV: ESPN2, Spanish Radio: WADO 1280 AM). Over the past two years the rivalry between these two clubs has heated up, and this match will not be one that fans want to miss.
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:
Thursday: Metro Soccer Report - MSG, 10:30 p.m. ET
Saturday: MetroStars vs. Kansas City Wizards - MSG, 7:30 p.m. ET.
Wells earns first shutout: After playing in two matches for the MetroStars last season, goalkeeper Zach Wells started the season opener and earned his first career shutout. The Metros' netminder faced 15 shots from Real Salt Lake and made three saves. The shutout marked only the second shutout in MetroStars Opening Day history (The first was Tony Meola who posted a shutout against the San Jose Clash on March 22, 1997 at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, CA).
Bradley vs. the wiz: Over his first seven years as a head coach in Major League Soccer, MetroStars skipper Bob Bradley has a 14-5-1 record against the Kansas City Wizards. His record against Kansas City's coach Bob Gansler is 11-4-1.
Metrostars to host career in sports night: The MetroStars are hosting a "Career in Sports Night" prior to their game on April 22. "Career in Sports Night" will provide students with insider's tips on how to break into the sports industry. The event will feature a panel of high profile sports professionals from various backgrounds. A few of the expected speakers include Nick Sakiewicz, President & General Manager of the MetroStars, Peter Stern, President of Strategic Sports Marketing Group, Steve Cangialosi, Broadcaster for MSG Network, Drew Young, Premium Seats Sales Executive for the Philadelphia Eagles, Fred Mangione, Vice President of Ticket Sales for the New Jersey Nets, Shayne Donahue, Director of Suite Sales for Madison Square Garden and Rodnell Workman, Marketing Manager for the New York Giants.
Gaven, Walker sidelined: MetroStars midfielder Eddie Gaven and goalkeeper Jonny Walker will both be sidelined for Saturday's match against Real Salt Lake. Walker is still rehabbing from offseason rotator cuff surgery, and Gaven is recovering from surgery on his left ring finger.
Ward with the U-20'S: MetroStars defender Tim Ward will not be with the team this weekend as he will be with the U.S. Under-20 National for a trip to the Netherlands. During the trip the team will play FC Feyenoord (4/12), FC Twente (4/14) and Borussia Monchengladbach (4/19). Ward will return to the team on April 20.
MetroStars ink Ueltschey: The MetroStars announced today that they signed goalkeeper Mike Ueltschey to a developmental contract. The "Red and Black" claimed the netminder off waivers. Per MLS policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Ueltschey, a 6-2, 198 pound keeper from Jackson, Mississippi, played his college ball at the University of North Carolina where he was a teammate of MetroStars defender Chris Leitch. In his senior year at UNC, Ueltschey posted a school record 12 shutouts and helped lead the 'Heels to the 2001 National Championship. He also holds the UNC record for career shutouts with 30.
After graduating, Ueltschey was drafted by the Richmond Kickers of the United Soccer Leagues in 2002 and played for the Cincinnati Riverhawks, also of the USL. Ueltschey was signed by the Columbus Crew in 2003 and was loaned to the Montreal Impact for the '03 season. In 2004, he played with the Puerto Rico Islanders of the USL and tallied eight shutouts in 17 games. Ueltschey appeared in matches in Bradenton, Florida and Ecuador during 2005 preseason action with the Metros.
Favorite sons: The MetroStars now have four players with strong local ties: Chris Corcoran, Jason Hernandez, Carlos Mendes and John Wolyniec.
Corcoran attended St. John's University, Hernandez is from Englewood, NJ and attended Seton Hall University, Medes is from Mineola, NY and Wolyniec is from Staten Island.
Guevara given captain's armband: When the MetroStars took the field on Saturday night, Amado Guevara wore the captain's armband. For the past two years Eddie Pope had served as the Metros captain, and until the game the new MetroStars captain had not been named.
Guevara, who serves as the Honduran National team captain, had a stellar 2004 season with the MetroStars. For his play he was honored with many awards including the 2004 MLS MVP, the 2004 MetroStars MVP, the 2004 MLS All-Star Game MVP, a member of the 2004 MLS Best XI, the 2004 MLS Scoring Champion (tied with New England's Pat Noonan) and Fox Sports Espanol's MLS Player of the Year. Guevara scored a team high (tied with John Wolyniec) 10 goals and registered a team high 10 assists.
Metros tickets reusable: Due to the severe weather that impacted the 2005 season opener on Saturday, April 2, the MetroStars are offering fans the opportunity to exchange their tickets to an upcoming game. All ticket holders can exchange their Saturday, April 2 tickets to one of the following games:
Saturday, April 16 vs. Kansas City Wizards - 7:30 PM
Friday, April 22 vs. Chicago Fire - 8:00 PM
To exchange tickets, fans must mail their April 2 tickets to the MetroStars office at 1 Harmon Plaza, 3rd Floor, Secaucus, NJ 07094. Along with the tickets, be sure to include your name, address, phone number and choice of game. Exchanges may also be done in person at the MetroStars office. All requests for exchanges must be in by 5:00 PM Thursday, April 14.
Those interested in purchasing additional seats should call the MetroStars office to coordinate seating arrangements before mailing in their exchange request.
For more information, call 1.888.4METROTIX.
