Up next, Kansas City:
On Saturday the MetroStars hit the road when they travel to Kansas City to take on the Wizards at 8:30 p.m. ET (TV: MSG, HDNet, Spanish Radio: WADO 1280 AM). The MetroStars have beaten the Wizards (1-0 and 2-1) in their two previous meetings this season. Fans in the New York City area will be gathering at Nathan Hale's Bar and Grill to root on the "Red and Black." Nathan Hale's, located at 6 Murray St. in Manhattan, will be offering $2 pints of Budweiser to all MetroStars fans.
September 11 marks the Metros' return to the Meadowlands as they take on Eastern Conference rival New England Revolution at 6 p.m. ET (TV: MSG, HDNet, Spanish Radio: WADO 1280 AM). The "Red and Black" have a 0-2-1 record against the Revolution this season.
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, 11 p.m. ET
Saturday: MetroStars @ Kansas City Wizards - MSG, 8:30 p.m. ET
Metros stay on top:
With their 1-1 tie against the Columbus Crew last Sunday, the MetroStars have retained the top spot in the Eastern Conference with 33 points. They are now two points ahead of the Columbus Crew and six ahead of D.C. United. The Chicago Fire and New England Revolution are further adrift with 24 and 23 points respectively, both with no games in hand over the "Red and Black." The Crew has two games in hand over the MetroStars.
No place like home:
The MetroStars play at home continues to be strong. With their tie on Sunday they now have a record of 6-3-3 in Giants Stadium. They have won six 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), tied three times (April 25, 2004 1-1 vs. New England Revolution; May 15, 2004 1-1 vs. Chicago Fire; August 29, 2004 1-1 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).
Brenes is back:
Metrostars' midfielder Pablo Brenes returned to MetroStars action Sunday when he substituted in for injured Joselito Vaca (Right MCL strain) in the 20th minute. It was the first appearance for Brenes since the July 10 game vs. San Jose. The Costa Rican U-23 star had been playing in the Olympics before losing to eventual gold medal winners Argentina in the quarterfinals. The 2004 Athens games marked the first time Costa Rica had ever reached the quarterfinals in a major international tournament.
Wolyball:
John Wolyniec's 21st minute goal on Sunday gave him seven on the season and moved him into a tie for 8th place in the MLS for goals this season. The tally also moved Wolyniec into a tie for 11th place in the points list.
Super Sundays:
The MetroStars play on Sundays this season has been very strong. With their tie on Sunday, their record is now 2-1-2 when playing on Sunday this year.
Gaven, Pope, Walker with nats:
MetroStars midfielder Eddie Gaven, defender Eddie Pope and goalkeeper Jonny Walker have been called up to the U.S. National Team by U.S. Men's National Team Manager Bruce Arena for their September 4 World Cup Qualifier against El Salvador in Foxborough, MA at 4:00 p.m. ET and their September 8th World Cup Qualifier in Panama at 9:00 p.m. ET. The U.S. tied Jamaica 1-1, in their first group play match in World Cup Qualifying on August 18 in Kingston, Jamaica.
Gaven earned his first cap with the U.S. National Team on July 11 in an international friendly against Poland in Chicago. In doing so, he became the fourth youngest (17 years, 260 days old) player of all-time to appear for the full national team. Gaven has appeared in 22 games for the MetroStars in his sophomore campaign with the club. The Hamilton, NJ native has tallied five goals, and six assists on the season. He was also named a starter for the Eastern Conference in the 2004 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game.
While Gaven is a newer face on the U.S. National Team, Pope has earned 63 caps for his country, wearing the captain's armband on several occasions during international matches this year. The defender last appeared in the U.S.'s 1-1 draw with Jamaica on August 18. Although he has missed time with the MetroStars due to international duty, Pope has appeared in 17 of the team's 23 games and has led the club to their Eastern Conference-leading record of 9-8-6. He has scored six goals for his national team.
Walker, 29, earned his first three caps for the senior team earlier this year, posting a 1-0-2 record. After opening with a 1-1 draw against Denmark on Jan. 18 at the Home Depot Center, Walker became the fourth U.S. goalkeeper in history to record a shutout in their first appearance against Mexico with the 1-0 blanking of "El Tri" on April 28 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. Walker was most recently called up to the U.S. National side for the U.S.'s 1-1 draw with Jamaica on August 18, however he did not see any action.
Guevara captaining Honduras:
MetroStars midfielder Amado Guevara will also be away from the MetroStars over the next week and a half, as he will captain the Honduran National Team in their World Cup Qualifying matches against Canada on September 4 and Guatemala on September 8. Guevara has now amassed 84 caps for Honduras. Most recently he tallied a goal in their 5-2 win over Costa Rica in their World Cup Qualifier on August 18.
Once Guevara returns to the MetroStars he will be unable to play in the club's game on September 11 against the Revolution, as a result of the red card he was issued on Sunday. Guevara will again be eligible to play for the MetroStars in their game on September 18 at Columbus.
Glen gone:
MetroStars forward Cornell Glen has been called up to the Trinidad and Tobago National Team for their upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against St. Kitts and Nevis on September 4 and against Mexico on September 8. The 22-year-old Glen has earned 15 caps, scoring one goal for the "Soca Warriors," since making his first appearance with the full team on November 15, 2002, in a 2-0 win over St. Kitts and Nevis in a 2003 Gold Cup Qualifier. Glen will rejoin the Metros for their September 11 clash with the Revolution at Giants Stadium.
Hello goodbye:
As quickly as the Metros have gotten defender Craig Ziadie back from injury they have lost him to international duty as he has been called to the Jamaican National Team for their World Cup Qualifiers on September 4 against Panama and then against El Salvador on September 8. Ziadie has earned 23 caps for the Reggae Boyz since making his international debut on November 20, 2002, vs. Japan in a 1-1 tie in Tokyo.
"Red and Black" ironmen:
MetroStars forward John Wolyniec is the only player to have appeared in each of the Metros' 23 games this season. Additionally, MetroStars Chris Leitch (22 games) is the only player who has played every minute of every game he has appeared in.
Loving the Red and Black:
The MetroStars are 8-3-4 when wearing their red and black-striped jerseys, compared to 1-5-2 when wearing their white kits. 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.
Firing away:
The MetroStars are not afraid of shooting the ball. The team leads the league for most shots overall with 364. Their nearest opponent is the Dallas Burn with 322. In addition, the MetroStars also lead the league in shots on goal with 153 strikes - five 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 37 goals - most in the league, one ahead of the L.A. Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes. In the 2003 season, the MetroStars' offense scored 40 goals.
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 19 tallies in 11 games. With an average of 1.73 goals per away game, the MetroStars are ahead of the L.A. Galaxy (1.45 average). The Metros are also tied for second in the league in first-half goals with 16.
Time and TV changes:
The MetroStars' September 11, 2004 game time against the New England Revolution will be pushed back from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will be shown on MSG rather than ESPN2.
Future MetroStars games to feature on HDNet:
Two of the MetroStars' remaining games this year will be shown on HDNet. The matches that will feature this service are the MetroStars' September 11 game against New England and October 9 against Columbus.
