From MLSNet.com:
MetroStars vs. Revolution preview

Major League Soccer


Where: GIANTS STADIUM, E. RUTHERFORD, N.J.
When: Sunday, 4 p.m. ET
TV: FSN-NE; MSG

The MetroStars face a second successive I-95 rival in as many weeks
when the New England Revolution come to Giants Stadium this weekend,
after they took an impressive 3-2 victory against D.C. United in their
home opener. The victory propelled the MetroStars to the top of the
Eastern Conference with six points from their two matches thus far –
all in the conference. The visiting Revolution are at the foot of the
East table with no points from their first two matches following a loss
to San Jose Earthquakes in their home opener in Foxborough last
weekend.

REFEREE: Kevin Stott. SAR (bench): Chris Strickland; JAR (opposite):
Emiliano Monje; 4th: Tony Crush
MLS Career: 99 games; FC/gm: 26.3; Y/gm: 3.3; R: 26; pens: 18
Games involving MetroStars: P22 W7 L14 T1; FC/gm: 27.1; Y/gm: 3.7; R:
10; pens: 5
Games involving Revolution: P12 W9 L3 T0; FC/gm: 29.4; Y/gm: 4.2; R: 4;
pens: 2

INJURY REPORT: METROSTARS – NONE REPORTED. … NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION –
OUT: DF Carlos Llamosa (L knee sprain); PROBABLE: MD Shalrie Joseph
(broken nose); DF Rusty Pierce (R quadriceps contusion)

INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: none
SUSPENDED: none
YELLOW PERIL: none
HEAD-TO-HEAD

ALL-TIME (31 meetings): MetroStars 14 wins (2 shootout), 60 goals …
Revolution 15 wins (3 shootout), 56 goals … 2 draws

• The I-95 rivals reprise their bitter rivalry from a year ago, which
saw the Revolution claim almost all the spoils, certainly in league and
MLS Cup play.

• This is the first of four meetings this year, the first of two at
Giants Stadium. They’ll play their first at Gillette Stadium on May 22,
then again on June 26, before playing for the final time at the
Meadowlands on Sept. 11.

• A year ago, New England didn’t lose in the league series, winning
three of the four matches (one draw). The MetroStars posted a stunning
comeback to pull back to a 3-3 draw in Foxborough on July 12 (Twellman
9, J-M Moore 36, Noonan 50 – Wolyniec 66, own goal 73, Clark 76), then
the Rev won 2-1 on Sept. 13 in New Jersey (Jolley 81 – Noonan 11, 72).

• The Revolution then won both matches in the season-ending
home-and-home pair just before they played again in the Eastern
Conference semifinals, winning 2-1 at Giants Stadium on Oct. 18
(Juskowiak 75 – Fabbro 15, Noonan 37) then 5-2 in New England on Oct.
25 (Noonan 41, 51, 68; Fabbro 45; Ralston 65 – Lisi 58 pen, LeBlanc
69).

• Then in the MLS Cup Playoffs, the Rev eased to a 2-0 victory at
Giants Stadium on Nov. 1 in the first leg (Fabbro 17, Noonan 65),
before advancing after a 1-1 draw at Gillette Stadium (Noonan 21 –
Guevara 46+ pen)

• The only success the MetroStars saw against New England came in the
quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup, when Metro claimed a 2-1 golden
goal victory at Piscataway, N.J. (Mathis 29, Guevara 111 – Heaps 47+).

• The MetroStars haven’t won in the last five league meetings in the
series. But their last win, a 4-3 triumph on July 20, 2002, was the
last of four in a row against the Rev.

• In 1999, New England had the same kind of success as they did a year
ago, winning all four meetings in the series (two by shootout). The
next year, the MetroStars won three of the four meetings, all three
wins coming before a Rev victory in the final encounter.

• Mark Lisi leads current MetroStars with 2 goals, 7 assists v New
England (all but 3 assists while a Metro). Of current MetroStars, only
Eddie Pope, John Wolyniec and Ricardo Clark have goals against the Rev
(Pope’s while with D.C. United).

• Pat Noonan had a remarkable run against the MetroStars last year,
seven of his 11 league goals in his rookie season coming against Metro
(then adding two more in the playoffs). He jumped to second on the
club’s all-time scoring list against Metro, behind Joe-Max Moore (7
goals, 5 assists). Steve Ralston leads current Rev players with 5
goals, 12 points v MetroStars – 2 goals, 4 assists with New England.

• Coaches record: Bob Bradley v NE: P16 W5 L7 T4 … Steve Nicol v MET:
P8 W5 L2 T1

METROSTARS

The MetroStars became the only team to stay unbeaten and untied on the
new campaign when a second-half blitz gave them a come-from-behind 3-2
victory against D.C. United at Giants Stadium on Saturday. The
MetroStars leaped over United into the top spot in the Eastern
Conference and the MLS overall table on six points from two games.

• Freddy Adu made history when the 14-year-old hit the back of the net
in just his third professional game, but the MetroStars grabbed the
headlines with three goals in 13 minutes after the break including a
Fabian Taylor double

• Ben Olsen gave United the lead after 26 minutes when he converted a
low cross from Dema Kovalenko from the right flank. But Taylor, who
came on as a halftime substitute, took just five minutes to pull his
club level. He rose up unmarked to meet a Mark Lisi cross, which United
'keeper Doug Warren made a terrific save on, but found the back of the
net on the second chance.

• John Wolyniec then gave the Metros the lead seven minutes later with
an acrobatic diving header in the six-yard box, before Taylor hit for
his second, slipping a shot underneath Warren from inside the area.

• Adu pulled United back within one when he became the youngest player
ever to score in an MLS game when he got in front of a Metros defender
to stab home a rolling cross from close range (75), but that was as
close as United got.

• MetroStars coach Bob Bradley made just one change to the team that
defeated Columbus 3-1 away in the season opener two weeks before,
captain Eddie Pope returning from a thigh injury to claim his place in
central defense ahead of Jeff Parke.

• Here’s the team Bradley ran out (4-4-2): Jonny Walker – Craig Ziadie,
Eddie Pope (Jeff Parke 66), Tenywa Bonseu, Chris Leitch – Joselito
Vaca, Amado Guevara, Mark Lisi (Ricardo Clark 73), Eddie Gaven – John
Wolyniec, Mike Magee (Fabian Taylor 46)

• Taylor’s insertion at the half changed the game, after the MetroStars
had been dominated in the opening 45 minutes. "He made a huge
difference for us today," Bradley said. "The first goal really turned
things around. ... When a player can go out and score a great goal
early in the half, it puts an big exclamation point on anything I said
at halftime."

• His performance earned him the honor as the MLS Sierra Mist Player of
the Week, as selected in balloting of members of the Professional
Soccer Reporters Association (PSRA).

• He was the first player to score in his Giants Stadium debut since
Wolyniec did it on Aug. 18, 1999.

• Eddie Pope and Jonny Walker were named to the U.S. national team for
their April 28 friendly against Mexico at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

• Amado Guevara was called into the Honduras national team by coach
Bora Milutinovic for their April 28 friendly against Ecuador in Miami.

• Craig Ziadie was called in the Jamaica national team for their April
28 friendly against Venezuela in Kingston.
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION

The New England Revolution lost for the second time in as many outings
on Saturday, losing a lead to a rampant San Jose Earthquakes in a 3-1
loss in their home opener. The Rev have allowed three goals in each of
their two losses on the season, falling to Los Angeles Galaxy at The
Home Depot Center in the season opener.

• Taylor Twellman tapped home a pass from Joe-Max Moore when both got
behind the Quakes' back four to give the home side the lead just after
the break (49) on a goal that had !íé the
™´

4/23/04 5:49 PM

The New England Revolution will take on the MetroStars Sunday afternoon
at 4:00 p.m. at Giants Stadium with the Revs looking to get their first
points of the season.  The I-95 rivalry, with 31 past regular-season
contests between the two teams, is an important one for New England
with a record of 0-2-0.

The two clubs have met four times every year for the past eight years,
except for 1998 when they played just three matches, and the Revs have
the advantage in the near-even series with a record of 15-14-2 against
the Metros.  New England’s record last year against the MetroStars was
3-0-1 in the regular season and 1-0-1 in the postseason (3-1 on
aggregate goals).

The first contest between the two clubs in 2003, on July 12, saw
Revolution forwards Taylor Twellman and Joe-Max Moore each tally a goal
and two assists as the Revolution played to a 3-3 draw against the
MetroStars in front of 33,652 fans at Gillette Stadium as part of a
CONCACAF Gold Cup tripleheader. Only seven minutes into the game, a
Moore corner kick from the right side found Twellman, who sent a header
past MetroStars goalkeeper Tim Howard.  The roles were reversed for the
Revs’ strike pair in the 36th minute, when Moore played the ball to a
waiting Twellman, who completed the give-and-go as Moore blazed past
MetroStars defender Juan Forchetti. Moore collected the ball at the
edge of the box, picking out the lower far post corner with a
well-placed shot into the side netting. 

The Revs’ 2-0 halftime lead was extended to 3-0 when Pat Noonan notched
his first career MLS goal in the 50th minute. Joe Franchino drove a
long free kick to Twellman at the far side of the penalty area and
Twellman knocked the ball back to Moore at the top of the area. Moore
lashed a quick, low shot toward the net, where a lurking Noonan was
able to redirect it past Howard and the MetroStars defense.  With the
Revs looking to lock down their lead, the momentum shifted dramatically
when the MetroStars struck back with a John Wolyniec-goal in the 66th
minute and an own goal off of Daouda Kante in the 73rd minute. The
comeback was complete just three minutes later as Ricardo Clark headed
home a Mark Lisi-cross to tie the score 3-3. Amado Guevara played a
short corner to Lisi who whipped a cross into the center of the box
where Clark got free to head past goalkeeper Adin Brown and tie the
score.  After a scoreless 10 minute overtime the teams left the pitch
with a point a piece in the 3-3 draw.

Two months and a day later, the teams met for the second time in MLS
competition and the Revolution picked up three important points in the
race for a playoff spot in MLS’ Eastern Conference with a 2-1 win over
the MetroStars at Giants Stadium. Rookie forward Noonan scored both
goals for the Revs, while the MetroStars lone goal came from defender
Steve Jolley. New England took the lead in the 11th minute after a foul
on José Cancela. Shalrie Joseph took a quick free kick which found
Noonan inside the MetroStars box. Noonan collected the ball and made a
cutback move past MetroStars defender Craig Ziadie before hitting a
right-footed shot which deflected off Steve Jolley and beat MetroStars
keeper Jonny Walker to give the Revs a 1-0 lead. Noonan doubled the
Revs lead in the 72nd minute against the run of play, with a
right-footed rocket past Walker. The Revs broke on a counterattack and
Cancela sent a cross-field pass to Noonan who settled and then cut
inside before hitting his shot from 20 yards out. Jolley cut the Revs’
lead to 2-1 in the 81st minute when he snuck in at the back post to
finish off a Mike Magee corner kick. Magee’s corner was flicked on
toward the back post by Eddie Pope before falling to Jolley who hit a
first time volley past Brown.  The Revs hung on to the lead to earn
their first road win since May 24.

The Revolution traveled to Giants Stadium again on October 18, in what
would turn out to be another 2-1 victory over the MetroStars and New
England’s opportunity to pull into a second place tie in the MLS
Eastern Conference. After a tight opening to the game, the Revs took
the lead in the 15th minute, when Steve Ralston collected the ball wide
on the right and cut inside to the right of MetroStars defender Joey
DiGimarino and across the top of the box before sliding a pass to Brian
Kamler. Kamler got behind his mark and fired a hard, low left-footed
shot on goal. Walker made the initial save off the Kamler blast, but
the rebound went straight to Revs forward Dario Fabbro who easily
slotted the ball past Walker to make the score 1-0. The scoring
continued when MetroStars captain Steve Jolley intercepted a long
forward ball that was intended for Noonan, but Noonan pressured Jolly
and took the ball off his foot and broke in on the MetroStars goal.
Jolley stayed with Noonan as he raced in on goal, but the rookie was
able to deftly chip the ball past the onrushing Walker from 13 yards
out to make the score 2-0. In the 75th minute, the MetroStars got onto
the scoreboard when Polish newcomer Andrzej Juskowiak scored the first
goal of his MLS career. Just three minutes after coming on, Juskowiak
collected a pass from Lisi in the center of the box, cut past Kante and
beat Revs keeper Matt Reis with a low shot that beat Reis just inside
his right post. New England held on to the lead to finish with a 2-1
win.

One week later, the MetroStars took the trip up I-95 to Gillette
Stadium for the regular-season ending contest that saw the Revolution
win 5-2 behind a Noonan hat trick and goals from Fabbro and Ralston.
MetroStars coach Bob Bradley opted to rest several starters for the
game with the playoffs coming up the following week. After going back
and forth with the MetroStars for much of the opening 40 minutes, the
Revs got on the board in the 41st minute when Ralston cut inside from
the right flank, nutmegged Edgar Bartolomeu, dribbled to the inside and
played a short square pass across the top of the box to Noonan who hit
a first-time shot low past MetroStars goalkeeper Paul Grafer to give
the Revs a 1-0 lead. Just four minutes later, Ralston again created a
goal when he took a pass from Kamler at the top of the box and deftly
backheeled it into the direction of Fabbro whose shot took a deflection
off of defender Joseph Addo, and past Grafer. In the 51st minute, Dario
Fabbro lofted a cross from the right into the box for Noonan.
MetroStars central defender Juan Forchetii was the first to get to the
ball, but his header hit Noonan and looped over Grafer and into the net
to make the score 3-0. Seven minutes later, the MetroStars got on the
board when Rusty Pierce was called for a handball in the box and Lisi
stepped up to take the resulting penalty kick, beating Brown with a
well-placed shot to the keeper’s left to make the score 3-1. New
England put the game almost out of reach in the 65th minute when Kamler
collected a loose ball 40 yards from goal and broke down the center
channel. His dribble run ended when he ran into a tackle by MetroStars
midfielder Tim Regan, but Ralston was there to blast home the loose
ball for the fourth New England goal. Noonan completed his hat trick
three minutes later when he collected a low cross from Kamler on the
left, cut past one defender before easily slotting a shot past Grafer
from eight yards out to make the score 5-1. Jacob LeBlanc pulled one
back for the MetroStars a minute later when he beat Brown with his
right foot from18 yards out to make the score 5-2, but that would be as
close as the MetroStars would get.

The two teams met for the third time three weeks when the Revs traveled
down to Giants Stadium on November 1 for the first of the two-game
series in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.  Fabbro put New England
ahead in the 17th minute after a clever one-two between Cancela and Jay
Heaps freed the Revs defender on the right flank. Heaps lashed a
right-footed shot from 19-yards out that Fabbro redirected past Walker.
The score stayed 1-0 until the 65th minute, when Cancela played a short
ball into the box for Fabbro who flicked the ball with his heel and
between two defenders right to Noonan. The rookie then calmly placed a
shot low and into the corner of the goal past Walker’s dive to double
the Revolution lead and complete the night’s scoring at 2-0.

The Revolution and the MetroStars met for the sixth and final time in
2003 on November 9. The two teams settled for a draw but New England
advanced to the finals with the 3-1 aggregate goals series win. Noonan
continued his scoring hot streak against the MetroStars scoring his
ninth goal against the Metros, with at least one tally in every MLS
matchup that season, in the 21st minute. In Game Two, Noonan fed a
short pass to Cancela at the corner of the 18-yard box. Cancela
controlled the ball with a fanciful series of touches and then danced
between two MetroStars defenders before threading a pass across the top
of the box. Fabbro dummied the pass, allowing it to roll between his
feet and straight to Noonan who hit a right-footed shot past Walker
from 18-yards out to make the score 1-0. In first half stoppage
time,Carlos Llamosa was judged to have fouled Mike Magee in the box,
giving the MetroStars a penalty kick. Amado Guevara stepped up to take
the spot kick and blasted to Brown’s right to tie the score at 1-1,
which would be the final.

Saturday’s matchup will be the first Eastern Conference opponent the
Revolution has seen in 2004. New England dropped their season opener
3-2 at Los Angeles, as well as the home opener 3-1 against San Jose.
The MetroStars have been more successful to this point in the young
season, posting a 3-1 victory at Columbus and a 3-2 victory against
D.C. United.

Fans of both teams enjoy the debate as to who is currently the top
attacking midfielder in MLS – MetroStars midfielder Amado Guevara or
Revolution midfielder Cancela.  Guevara has earned 77 caps and 15 goals
with the Honduran National Team and serves as the national team’s
captain while they are trying to qualify for the 1006 World Cup. He was
selected as a 2003 MLS All-Star in his first MLS season.  Cancela,
since joining the Revs in July of 2003, has proven to be a composed and
skillful playmaker, finishing second in the league in assists per game
(0.54) last year and second in assists per 90 minutes (0.55). Both men
are clearly valuable to their respective teams and fans are sure to see
a great display of skill with the playmaking abilities of both Guevara
and Cancela on display.

The Revolution has made some valuable additions to the roster since
they last met the MetroStars, led by rookie midfielder Clint Dempsey.
The Revs’ first-round selection in the 2004 SuperDraft, Dempsey is a
confident midfielder who is composed on the ball and tough in the
tackle.  He made his MLS debut in the Los Angeles game in the 83rd
minute and tallied one shot. Against San Jose, the Texas native started
the first game of his career in place of veteran Joseph, who out after
having surgery two days before the match to reset a broken nose.
Dempsey played the entire 90 minutes, taking one shot on goal.

The MetroStars also made important acquisitions in the offseason,
including a trade with Dallas on February 4, for midfielder Joselito
Vaca.  The Bolovia native can play right week or central midfield and
has started both contests this season, tallying one shot on goal.
Another contributor the Metros acquired is forward Fabian Taylor, who
was named MLS Player of the Week for Week Three after scoring two goals
against D.C. United. The Jamaica National Team player has appeared in
the MetroStars two contests since being signed March 4.

Sunday’s afternoon contest between the MetroStars and the Revolution
should prove to be another exciting chapter in the history between the
two rivals.

Analysis from Revolutionsoccer.net:
Soggy Soccer Would Suit the Revs

4/24/04 5:22 AM

By Brad Feldman

A road trip down I-95 to cavernous Giants Stadium is a tough fixture
for the Revs to have to deal with at this early stage of the season.
Never mind that the Revs dominated the MetroStars in 2003, going 3-0-1
against the North Jerseans (the 3-3 collapse on July 12
notwithstanding). Never mind that the Revs were in total command in
pushing the Metros out of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. And never
mind that Pat Noonan found facing the Metros to be child’s play,
scoring 9 goals in six games against the Soggy Soccers from the Swamp.
Right now, this is a sharp MetroStars team that has scored six goals of
their own in winning their first two matches of 2004.
 
Did you happen to catch the MetroStars against D.C. last week? OK, they
were a bit disjointed in the first half against United, but when they
got their act together in the second stanza the Metros were pretty
scary-looking, playing a tight passing game that had United heads on
their collective swivels.

For starters, the Metros’ midfield is shaping up as one of league’s
best. We all know of the playmaking abilities of Amada Guevara. The
former Honduran national team captain – known as the “Other Lobo” in
New England – is as dynamic an attacking player as you’ll find in MLS
today. What Bob Bradley has done is add the talents of Bolivian water
bug Joselito Vaca to a talented mix that includes Eddie Gaven, Mark
Lisi and Ricardo Clark. Assist-happy Lisi has been starting in the
holding spot with Clark still coming back from off-season surgery, but
I’ll venturing a guess that Bradley will go with Clark, who could be a
real difference-maker in this game if he can play the full 90 and act
as midfield destroyer and conveyor-belt.

And how about the game Fabian Taylor had last weekend? Two goals off
the bench for the Jamaican gem and he looks like just the kind of guy
that can give the Revs backline fits – jinky, unpredictable and quick,
quick, quick. John Wolyniec is a very good player – better than most
gave him credit for when he was yo-yoing between the A-League and MLS.
Still, Wolyniec (pron: Wall-uh-neck) is a matchup that the Revs do well
with – a hard-working, physical target man who won’t just run by you.
The Revs can mostly deal with that kind of striker.

But don’t forget about fast-dashing youngster Mike Magee…and, oh,
yeah….Argentine Sergio Galvan Rey and Trinidadian Cornell Glenn could
both make their Metros debuts Sunday at home. Terrific news, Revs fans.
All three aforementioned forwards are bigtime dangerous. (Did you
notice that the MetroStars haven’t reported anyone injured this week?)

The weakness for the Metros, to me, is still the defense. Eddie Pope is
coming back from a Week One injury and Tenywa Bonseu, while solid, can
be pulled out of position. We might even see Mr. Irrelevant 2004, Jeff
Parke, at starting center back. But the real weakness, as it was last
year for the Metros, is at the fullback positions. A host of off-season
auditions didn’t produce any new names of note and you still have the
likes of Ziadie, Leitch and DiGiamarino back there. That’s good news
for the Revs who were able to get at least a bit more width in their
attack last Saturday versus San Jose.

OK the Revs. Yes they are a bit banged up. Yes, Carlos Llamosa is still
out and Rusty Pierce has been ailing as well. What the heck are they
going to do?  Well, the good news is that guys like Brian Kamler are
amazingly versatile and have the experience to do the job back there.
And midfielder Shalrie Joseph is likely to be back in the lineup after
missing the Earthquakes game with a bad beak. And Taylor Twellman
should have had a hat trick last week and has his, “I wanna score more”
face on 24-7 these days. And, did I mention that Noonan kills the
Metros?

In the end, the Revs are going to have to play boring,
bunker-in-and-counter football to get the result they badly need down
there in Sopranoland. It’s never easy and the fact that Bradley’s boys
are feeling their oats doesn’t help. Still, I’m predicting that New
England’s character overcomes and they escape without going 0-3.

Brad’s Bulletpoints:
• Will the Wolf Survive?  Nicol should sick Fangoso on Guevara. Short
of that, keep the Metros’ maestro from receiving the ball where he can
turn and run at defenders.
• Subs step up Whoever is in the central defense had better play it
simple and play it solid or the Revs are sunk.
• Take those chances The reason Noonan and the Revs were successful
at the Meadowlands last year is that they capitalized on their few
opportunities. Counters and set pieces are the keys.

Prediction: New England 2, MetroStars 2, The Revs batten down the
hatches and steal a point with a late Noonan strike.

From Yahoo:
New England (0-2-0) at NY/NJ MetroStars (2-0-0)

Preview - Box Score - Recap -

Video

 Game Info: 4:00 pm EDT Sun Apr 25, 2004
Add to Calendar 
Buy Tickets 

The MetroStars look to start a season with three straight wins for the
first time in franchise history when they host a New England Revolution
team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year.

New England went 3-0-1 against the Metros in the 2003 regular season to
extend its unbeaten streak in the series to five matches. The
Revolution then went on to eliminate the MetroStars in the Eastern
Conference semifinals by outscoring them 3-1 in the two-game
aggregate-goal series.

This season, however, the Metros are playing well while New England has
struggled.

The MetroStars beat the Columbus Crew 3-1 on the road in their opener
on April 3, and defeated D.C. United 3-2 at home last Saturday to begin
a season with consecutive wins for the first time since 1999.

John Wolyniec has scored in each of the Metros' two matches, and Fabian
Taylor scored twice in last Saturday's win to lead a MetroStars offense
that tops MLS with six goals scored.

  

  

``I would say that I think that we've made progress (on offense),''
Metros coach Bob Bradley said. ``I think we're better and able to
create more chances. I think we're a little more creative than we were
in the past and I think we're better in the first two games, which led
to more goals.''

Taylor, who joined the MetroStars last month after playing four years
in Jamaica, was named MLS player of the week on Monday.

``It feels very good to get my first goal (at home) and I just hope to
take it from there,'' the 24-year-old forward said. ``I was elated for
both of the goals. I think as the season goes on you get better.''

The Metros will try to continue improving on the offensive end when
they face a New England club that has allowed a league-high six goals
in its first two matches.

The Revolution lost 3-2 on the road to the Los Angeles Galaxy in their
opener on April 3 before falling 3-1 at home to the San Jose
Earthquakes last Saturday.

``You lose goals, you lose games. I think that's pretty obvious,'' New
England coach Steve Nicol said. ``It boils down to if you're going to
score five (goals) there's no point if you're going to let in more than
that.''

Updated on Friday, Apr 23, 2004 3:02 pm EDT