E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. - As the MetroStars head to face a Columbus Crew team looking to give interim coach Robert Warzycha his first win, they received some bad news of their own that will certainly have significant ramifications in the short term - and possibly beyond.
Midfielder Amado Guevara, voted to start in the midfield for the MLS All-Stars in the Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game against Fulham FC on July 30, will have to undergo surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee, the club announced on Tuesday.
He is expected to have the operation on Wednesday - the same day as the Metros face to Columbus - and there is no timetable for his return. Guevara picked up the injury in the 87th minute of Saturday's 1-1 draw with the Colorado Rapids after getting kicked by Ricky Lewis.
Mike Magee will likely start in Guevara's place, just as he did when Guevara was forced to miss the Fourth of July draw at Real Salt Lake serving a one-game suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.
There is another concern in the Metros midfield as Mark Lisi, who left the Colorado game in the 89th minute after cramping up, is questionable with a left quadriceps contusion.
The Metros are looking to try and defeat the Crew for the third time this season and gain some ground on either the Kansas City Wizards or D.C. United, their closest rivals in the Eastern Conference, who play each other at Arrowhead Stadium on Wednesday.
"(Columbus) just got a great point in Chicago and they're coming home to play their first game there under a new head coach," Lisi said. "They want to get Robert Warzycha his first win and we've got to match their intensity."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
