Up Next, Colorado: On Saturday, the MetroStars take on the Colorado Rapids at 9 p.m. ET (TV: MSG, HDNet, Spanish Radio: WADO 1280 AM) in Denver. The "Red and Black" lost 3-2 in their first encounter against the Rapids at Giants Stadium on June 30. MetroStars fans can watch the action this weekend from Croton Reservoir Tavern on 108 West 40th Street in New York. Budweiser and Bud Light bottles will be sold for $3 while Rhinegold bottles will cost $2.
The MetroStars' next home game is on Sunday, Aug. 29 when the Metros take on the Columbus Crew at 6 p.m. ET (Spanish Radio: WADO 1280 AM). In the first game of the season, two Mark Lisi assists helped the "Red and Black" to a 3-1 victory in Columbus on April 3.
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, 11:00 p.m. ET
Saturday: MetroStars @ Colorado Rapids - MSG, HDNet, 9:00 p.m. ET
Metros Still Leading: Even with their 1-0 loss against the Dallas Burn last Sunday, the MetroStars have retained the top spot in the Eastern Conference with 32 points. They are now six points ahead of the Columbus Crew and seven ahead of D.C. United. The Chicago Fire and New England Revolution are further adrift with 23 and 22 points respectively, both with no games in hand over the "Red and Black." The Crew has two games in hand over the MetroStars.
Playing Like Giants: Even with their loss Sunday night, the MetroStars' play at home has been strong this season. They have a record of 6-3-2 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 twice (April 25, 2004 1-1 vs. New England Revolution; May 15, 2004 1-1 vs. Chicago Fire) 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).
Guevara With Honduras: MetroStars midfielder Amado Guevara is away from the team this week, training with the Honduran National Team in preparation for their World Cup Qualifying Match against Costa Rica on August 18. Guevara has 83 caps for Honduras.
Recently in MLS, Guevara has been on fire. Guevara is tied for first in goals scored (10) and assists (8) and leads the league in points per game (1.56 ppg). The reigning July MLS Player of the Month currently has a point in nine consecutive league games, garnering seven goals and six assists during the stretch (20 points) and is the MLS Budweiser Scoring leader with 28 points. Guevara has scored from a dead ball situation in five straight games which he has played in (four penalty kicks, one free kick).
Glen on International Duty: MetroStars forward Cornell Glen left today to join the Trinidad and Tobago squad in preparation for the team's World Cup Qualifying match against St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Wednesday, August 18. Glen played 45 minutes in the Metros' 1-0 loss last Sunday versus the Dallas Burn.
Brenes Makes Second Start in Olympics: MetroStars midfielder Pablo Brenes played the full 90 minutes for the Costa Rican Olympic team in the squad's 2-0 group-stage loss to Iraq last Sunday. Brenes, who was acquired on June 4, has appeared six times for the MetroStars, starting in one game. Costa Rica next plays August 18 against Portugal and needs a win to stand a chance in progressing to the quarterfinals. The top two teams in each of the four groups will advance to the tournament's next round.
Jonny on the Spot: Even though the Metros lost 1-0 to the Dallas Burn last Sunday, MetroStars goalkeeper Jonny Walker has continued his strong form. Ever since the team's humbling 6-2 defeat to D.C. United on July 3, Walker has been on a roll, earning two clean sheets in the last six games. Opponents have not been able to score more than one goal since the game against United. Walker has averaged a stingy 0.67 goals against average in the last six league games.
Shutting The Door: The "Red and Black" are generally very solid in closing out games. When the MetroStars are ahead after the 75th minute, they are 8-1-0. In addition, when the Metros score the first goal, they are an impressive 6-1-2.
Fighting For The Result: The MetroStars are clutch in close game situations. They are strong in one-goal games this year (5-3-0) and have proven to fight back from a goal down. The Metros are 3-6-3 when going down after conceding the first goal - a record which is the best in the league.
Loving the Red and Black: The MetroStars are 8-3-3 when wearing their red and black-striped jerseys, compared to 1-4-2 when wearing their white kits. The team usually wears their all-white uniforms for away games. In comparison, the MetroStars were 6-6-5 in their red and black uniforms last year while 5-4-4 in their white kits during the 2003 season.
Firing Away: The MetroStars are not afraid of shooting the ball. The team leads the league for most shots overall with 331. Their nearest opponent is the Dallas Burn with 299. In addition, the MetroStars are second in the league in shots on goal with 134 strikes - three less 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 36 goals - most in the league ahead of the L.A. Galaxy's 35. 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 ten games. With an average of 1.90 goals per away game, the MetroStars are ahead of the L.A. Galaxy (1.45 average). The Metros are also second in the league in first-half goals with 15.
Not One Hit Wonders: MetroStars forward John Wolyniec is the only player to have appeared in each of the Metros' 21 games this season. Additionally, MetroStars Chris Leitch (20 games) is the only player who has played every minute of every game he has appeared in.
Metros' Hit Black Sunday: The MetroStars loss last Sunday against the Dallas Burn marks their first loss of this season during a Sunday match. The MetroStars are now 2-1-1 when playing on Sunday this year.
Not in the Red: The MetroStars have been on good behavior throughout the season. They are the only team that has not earned a red card this season.
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. Additionally, the MetroStars' August 29, 2004 game against the Columbus Crew will no longer be televised.
Future MetroStars Games to Feature on HDNet: Three of the MetroStars' remaining games this year will be shown on HDNet. The matches that will feature this service are the MetroStars' August 21 game at Colorado, September 11 game against New England and October 9 against Columbus.
MetroStars Honored By Hudson County: The MetroStars were recognized for their contribution to the County of Hudson's Summer Youth Employment Program at a ceremony which took place last Tuesday, August 10. Thomas DeGise, the County Executive, thanked the MetroStars and other companies for their continuing support of the program.
Four NY Teams To Play in Copa Budweiser: Rochelle United, NY Ecuador, Dragons and New York Champions, Orion Costa Rica, are all advancing to face the top four qualifying teams from New Jersey and compete for the Budweiser-sponsored Copa Budweiser Metro Championship and $5,000 in prize money at Giants Stadium on September 11 after the MetroStars' 6:00 p.m. game against the New England Revolution. The Copa Budweiser is an invitational 6 V. 6 tournament consisting of a qualifying tournament which took place at the Metropolitan Oval in Maspeth, Queens on Saturday, August 7.
The event in Maspeth featured appearances by MetroStars Amado Guevara, Sergio Galvan Rey and Joselito Vaca, the MetroMobile and the Bud Light Hummer, complete with interactive games and give-a-ways. There was also a soccer festival, complete with DJ's, food, as well as live radio call-in's to Latino Mix and WADO 1280 AM. In addition, the final will take place on Hispanic Heritage Day - an event which will feature a pre-game concert and festival starting at 3:00 p.m.
Player Appearances: On Wednesday, August 18, MetroStars forward Sergio Galvan Rey will be at the grand opening meet and greet at First Atlantic Bank in Long Branch, NJ. The event will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This Thursday, MetroStars defender Craig Ziadie will make an appearance at Kieran Soccer Academy in Rye, NY from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Name Note: When referencing the MetroStars in any print or broadcast media, please note that the team name no longer includes "New York/New Jersey" or "NY/NJ". The team should be solely referred to as the "MetroStars". In addition, if you would like to abbreviate the name, please do so as "Metros" not "Metro".
