Up Next, San Jose:
The MetroStars return home this weekend when Brian Ching and the rest of the San Jose Earthquakes travel cross country to battle the MetroStars at Giants Stadium on ESPN2 (WADO 1280 AM) at 4:00 p.m. ET.
The "Red and Black" hit the road on May 14 when they travel to Chicago to take on their windy city rival - the Chicago Fire. The Metros and Fire met on April 22, with the Fire handing the "Red and Black" their first loss of 2005 by a score of 1-0.
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: Saturday: MetroStars vs. San Jose Earthquakes - ESPN2, 4:00 p.m. ET.
Metros get first win: The MetroStars got their first win of 2005 last weekend when they snapped the Colorado Rapids 12-game home unbeaten streak. Amado Guevara tallied a hat-trick in the team's first road game of 2005. The MetroStars 3-goal offensive explosion marked the first time since July 4, 2003 that the Rapids have allowed more than two goals at home (a span of 25 games). The game featured some unique weather conditions as it was played in constant snowfall.
Hat-Trick for "El Lobo": Amado Guevara returned to his 2005 MLS MVP form last weekend as he tallied a hat-trick against the Rapids. The scoring marked Guevara's first goals of the season, and the first time in his MLS career that he registered a multi-goal game.
For his efforts, Guevara was selected as the Honda MLS Player of the Week by the Professional Soccer Reporters Association (PSRA) for Week 5
The last time a MetroStars player had a hat-trick was on June 15, 2002 when Mamadou Diallo notched 4 goals.
Ward gets nod: MetroStars rookie defender Tim Ward got his first start of his career last weekend against the Rapids. He played in place of the injured Jeff Agoos.
Instant offense: MetroStars forward Abbe Ibrahim saw action for the second time and had an impact immediately upon entering the game. On the first play after he entered he settled a loose ball, and slid a skillful pass to Amado Guevara, who then tallied his third goal. The assist was the first of Ibrahim's MLS career.
Four men out: The MetroStars were missing four of their regular starters for last week's game due to injury - Jeff Agoos (calf), Youri Djorkaeff (calf), Jeff Parke (concussion) and John Wolyniec (hip flexor).
More firsts: Forward Mike Magee and defender Tim Regan both made their first starts of 2005 last Saturday. Prior to Saturday, Magee's last start was on October 17, 2004 at D.C. United, while Regan's was on October 9, 2004 at home against Columbus.
Midfielder Gilberto also logged his first minute of the season in the contest.
Young and restless: The MetroStars starting lineup last weekend averaged only 23 years and 131 days. The MetroStars are accustomed to a young lineup however, as the club holds the MLS record for youngest starting lineup in league history when on June 19, 2004 the starters averaged just 22 years and 138 days.
Happy birthday times two: Two MetroStars will celebrate their birthday this week. Both Amado Guevara and Jeff Agoos celebrate their B-Days today, May 2. Agoos will be 37 and Guevara 29.
Bradley vs. the Quakes: Since coming to the MetroStars before the 2003, head coach Bob Bradley has a record of 2-1-2 against the Earthquakes. Over the course of his head coaching career, Bradley has a 8-6-5 record against San Jose, and a 1-1-1 record against Earthquakes coach Dominic Kinnear.
Guevara vs. the Quakes: MetroStars midfielder Amado Guevara has played in four games against San Jose in his career. In those four games, he has scored four goals, and tallied three assists.
Switching sides: MetroStars defender Jeff Agoos will undoubtedly feel a little nostalgic this weekend when the MetroStars host San Jose. Agoos played for the Earthquakes from 2001-2004 and won two of his five championships with the club.
"The Judge's" padding: MetroStars midfielder Eddie Gaven will be wearing some padding on his left wrist for this weekend's game to protect his left ring finger that was broken while he was playing with the U.S. U-20s in late March. Gaven has missed one game due to the injury, and has worn this protective padding in every game that he played in this season.
Rico returns: This weekend will mark the return of former MetroStar Ricardo Clark. Clark was drafted by the "Red and Black" in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft and was with the Metros for the 2003 and 2004 season.
