Date:
Saturday, October 2, 2004
Time:
7:30 p.m. ET
Location:
Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Local TV: MSG
Play-by-play: JP Dellacamera
Analyst: Shep Messing
Sideline: Steve Cangialosi
Producer: Eddie Caggianelli
HTN Conf #: 15376
Referee: Kevin Stott
Referee's Asst.: Greg Barkey (SAR), Emiliano Monje (JAR)
Fourth Official: Erich Simmons
Injury Report:
Michael Bradley - OUT - Stress Fracture of Right Talarnavicular
Tenywa Bonseu - OUT - Partially Torn Left Achilles
Mark Lisi - OUT - Right Ankle Strain
Joselito Vaca - Doubtful - Right MCL Sprain
Probable Starters
GK #1 Jonny Walker
D #3 Chris Leitch
D #12 Jeff Parke
D #23 Eddie Pope
D #21 Craig Ziadie
M #20 Amado Guevara
M #24 Eddie Gaven
M #25 Gilberto Flores
M #2 Ricardo Clark
F #7 Mike Magee
F #15 John Wolyniec
METROS NOTES:
Up Next, the Atlantic Cup Heats Up:
On Saturday, October 2, the MetroStars will be hosting D.C. United at Giants Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET in the third leg of the Atlantic Cup (TV: MSG). In the teams' previous meetings this season, the home team has come away victorious both times. In the second game of the season on April 17, the Metros handed D.C. United a 3-2 loss at Giants Stadium, while the Metros suffered a 6-2 loss when traveling to D.C. on July 3.
The winner of the Atlantic Cup is based on standings points earned during the regular season in games pitting the MetroStars against D.C. United. The first tie breaker is total goals, with the second tie-breaker being away goals. If still tied, the current Cup holder (currently the MetroStars) retains the trophy.
D.C. United claimed the first Cup in 2002, and the MetroStars won it last year.
The MetroStars will be playing their final home game of the regular season the following Saturday, October 9, as they will prepare to take on division leader Columbus Crew. The Crew hold a four point lead over the Metros going into this week despite the two teams being even in head to head play this season, as they have each posted a win, loss and tie in their three meetings. The game will also be televised by MSG and covered on WADO 1280 AM.
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).
Stammler turns 23:
On Wednesday, September 29, MetroStars defender Seth Stammler turned 23.
MetroStars Playoff Fever is Back:
With their 2-0 win over the Dallas Burn last Saturday, the MetroStars have guaranteed a return of MetroStars Playoff Fever and a position in the 2004 postseason. With 39 points, the Metros stand four points behind Eastern Conference leader Columbus and six points ahead of this week's opponent D.C. United. Chicago trails D.C. by only one point with 32, while the New England Revolution have fallen further behind with 27 points.
The 2004 playoff berth marks the team's sixth trip to the playoffs in their nine-year history. With a 5-8-2 all time playoff record, the MetroStars have only been able to advance past the first round of the playoffs once, when they were able to overtake the Dallas Burn in 2000 before losing to the Chicago Fire in the semifinals.
This year's playoff clinch also marks Bob Bradley's seventh trip to the playoffs in his seven years of being a head coach in MLS. He posted a 13-9-2 playoff record while coaching the Chicago Fire from 1998 to 2002, including a 1998 MLS Cup Championship. In his two seasons with the MetroStars, he has been able to take the club to the playoffs both years, while losing to the New England Revolution in 2003.
President and General Manager Nick Sakiewicz Participates in New Jersey Real Estate Conference:
MetroStars President and General Manager Nick Sakiewicz spoke at the 3rd Annual RealShare NEW JERSEY conference on Thursday. The annual conference is dedicated to providing a significant real estate networking opportunity for those involved in the New Jersey commercial real estate market. Sakiewicz spoke in a session entitled "The Growing Convergence of Sports, Entertainment and Mixed-Use Real Estate" which focused on the integration and funding of sports and entertainment facilities in New Jersey metropolitan areas. He primarily concentrated on the incorporation of the MetroStars future facility into Harrison, NJ.
"Red and Black" Ironmen:
MetroStars forward John Wolyniec is the only player to have appeared in each of the Metros' 27 games this season. Additionally, MetroStars Chris Leitch (26 games) is the only player who has played every minute of every game he has appeared in.
No Place Like Home:
The MetroStars play at home continues to be strong. With their September 11 win in their last game at home, they now have a record of 7-3-3 in Giants Stadium. They have won seven times (April 17, 2004 3-2 vs. D.C. United; May 30, 2004 1-0 vs. Kansas City Wizards; June 19, 2004 2-1 vs. L.A. Galaxy; July 10, 2004 2-0 vs. San Jose Earthquakes; July 24, 2004 2-1 vs. Chicago Fire; August 8, 2004 3-0 vs. L.A. Galaxy; September 11, 2004 3-2 vs. New England Revolution), tied three times (April 25, 2004 1-1 vs. New England Revolution; May 15, 2004 1-1 vs. Chicago Fire; August 29, 2004 vs. Columbus Crew) and lost three times (June 5, 2004 2-0 vs. Dallas Burn; June 30, 2004 3-2 vs. Colorado Rapids; August 15, 2004 1-0 vs. Dallas Burn).
Cornell Glen Goal of the Week:
Cornell Glen's breakaway goal in the MetroStars' 2-0 win over the Dallas Burn on Saturday, September 25 was voted as the Sierra Mist MLS Goal of the Week for the week ending September 26, 2004. The Trinidad and Tobago international's injury time goal was his sixth of the season.
Honor Roll:
The MetroStars announced on Monday that they will hold their 2004 awards ceremony, presented by Johnnie Walker Scotch Whiskey and KeySpan Home Energy Services, at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ. The 2nd annual event will take place on Tuesday, October 19 at 6:30 p.m. The event will include a networking reception for MetroStars Business Alliance members and team VIPs. The networking event will kick off at 6:30 p.m. on the Main Floor, and the awards ceremony will commence at 7:30 p.m. in the JD Williams Theatre.
The night will feature 12 awards with 10 going to MetroStars players, one to the "Red and Black's" fan of the year, and one to the youth soccer clubs of the year.
Of the ten awards going to players, seven will be voted on by the media (2004 Honda MetroStars Most Valuable Player, 2004 United States Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year, 2004 MetroStars Young Player of the Year, 2004 Major League Soccer's MetroStars Defender of the Year, 2004 MetroStars Play of the Year, 2004 MetroStars Unsung Player of the Year and 2004 MetroStars Newcomer of the Year), two will be awarded by statistical analysis (2004 MetroStars Budweiser Scoring Champion and 2004 MetroStars Iron Man) and one will be voted on by fans at MetroStars.com (2004 MetroStars.com Player of the Year).
Parke and Guevara on Caution Warning:
Metros Midfielder Amado Guevara will have to be on his best behavior as he is still on caution point accumulation warning. If he receives an infraction of three or more points in any of the Metros remaining games, he will have to serve a one-game suspension. Defender Jeff Parke will also have to avoid receiving a caution as he has amassed 19 caution points thus far. If Parke receives a penalty of two or more points throughout the rest of the season, he will also be forced to serve a one game suspension.
Firing Away:
The MetroStars are not afraid of shooting the ball. The team leads the league for most shots overall with 416. The Colorado Rapids rank second in the league with 373. In addition, the MetroStars also lead the league in shots on goal with 178 strikes, which is four more than D.C. United. Last season, the MetroStars had 399 shots and 191 shots on goal.
Taking Their Chances:
The high-powered MetroStars offense has been productive this year, scoring 44 goals, which is five ahead of the Los Angeles Galaxy for most in the league. The MetroStars have surpassed their goals scored mark from 2003 by four with three more games to play in the regular season.
The MetroStars are also not afraid of going for goal when they are playing away from Giants Stadium. The MetroStars lead the league in scoring away from home, earning 23 tallies in 14 games. With an average of 1.64 goals per away game, the MetroStars are ahead of the New England Revolution (1.29 average).
MetroStars Scoring Leaders:
Amado Guevara's assist on John Wolyniec's 30th minute goal versus the Burn gave him sole possession of first place on the Budweiser Scoring Leaders list. He has now posted 10 goals and 10 assists, giving him 30 total points, which is one point ahead of New England Revolution's Pat Noonan. Also, with 30 points in 22 games played, Guevara ranks first in the league in points per game with 1.36, which is just ahead of L.A. Galaxy's Carlos Ruiz, who has a 1.33 point per game average. The game-winning goal also increased John Wolyniec's spot on the Budweiser Scoring Leaders list, as he moved ahead of teammate Eddie Gaven for 13th place amongst the league's leading scorers. With nine goals and three assists, Wolyniec stands one point above Gaven, who has posted seven goals and six assists this season. Last weekend's goal was also Wolyniec's fifth game-winner of the season, good for second most in the league behind Dallas Burn's Eddie Johnson, who has tallied seven game-winners.
White Out:
Even though the MetroStars' white kits seemed to be a bad omen this season, they were able to claim victory while donning them this past Saturday. Overall, they are 2-6-2 when wearing their white uniforms and 9-4-4 when wearing their red and black-striped jerseys. The team usually wears their all-white uniforms for away games. In comparison, last season the MetroStars were 6-6-5 in their red and black uniforms and 5-4-4 in their white kits.
MPF Parade:
On the day of the MetroStars first playoff game (date TBD), there will be a MetroStars Playoff Fever Parade that starts in Harrison, NJ (future home of the MetroStars) and ends with a Pep Rally at Giants Stadium. Youth Soccer clubs from across the tri-state area will be entering floats, with $2,500 of prize money on the line to the team that builds the best float. Each club that participates will have a MetroStars player visit their club when they are working on their float. To participate in the event, contact Chris Canetti @ (201) 583-7031.
Sierra Mist Night:
This Saturday will be Sierra Mist Title Night at Giants Stadium. There will be 350 Sierra Mist representatives in attendance, including Dave Burwick, Chief Marketing Officer and Senior VP of PepsiCo North America, who will be on hand to perform the ceremonial first kick. Sierra Mist will also be distributing promotional items and setting up inflatables in the MetroStars Soccerfest located in the Giants Stadium Bubble.
Wolyniec Brings Group to Game:
Midfielder John Wolyniec has invited 20 members from the Incarnation Youth Association onto the field and into attendance for Saturday's game. The group, made up of mostly 9-18 year old boys from the Dominican Republic who are training to become community volunteers, is being brought to the game by members of the Monsignor Farrell High School (Staten Island) staff, Wolyniec's alma mater.
Leitch and the MetroStars to Help Benefit "Lainie's Angels":
The MetroStars will be participating in the 1st annual "Kicks for Kids with Cancer and Blood Disorders" at Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Edison, NJ on Sunday, October 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will benefit Lainie's Angels, an organization devoted to providing family support groups at institutions that treat children with cancer and blood disorders and will feature a 5k run/walk, as well as a Soccer Marathon and Shoot & Score events throughout the day. MetroStars defender Chris Leitch will help coach and assist the participants at the event between 1:30 and 3:30 and will be accompanied by the MetroMobile and Metro the Mascot, who will be in attendance throughout the entire day. For more information regarding this event, please visit www.lainiesangels.com or contact Lindsay Daywalt of the MetroStars at (201) 583-7038 or email ldaywalt@metrostars.com.
MetroStars Host Mexico vs. Ecuador:
The MetroStars announced that they have partnered with Soccer United Marketing to host an international match between the National Teams of Mexico and Ecuador at Giants Stadium on Wednesday, October 27 at 8:00 p.m. ET. The game, presented by The Home Depot, is part of the 2004 "Coca-Cola Presents Real Mexican Soccer" Tour and it will mark the sole appearance of both Mexico and Ecuador in the New York City area this year. Tickets for the match will start at just $20, and are currently on sale.
Future MetroStars Game to Feature on HDNet:
The October 9 game versus Columbus will be featured on HDNet.
