Gaven and Guevara Power Metros Past Galaxy, 3-0

Gaven Scores Two Goals; MetroStars Regain Eastern Conference Top Spot

CARSON, CA (Wednesday June 23, 2004) –The MetroStars hit for a three-goal blitz in the first half and knocked offthe Los Angeles Galaxy for the second time in four days with a 3-0 win Wednesday night at The Home Depot Center.

Amado Guevara notched the first goal of the night before turning provider on a pair of beautiful goals from 17-year-old Eddie Gaven to give the Metros sole ownership of the top spot in the Eastern Conference table. Guevara had a hand in all three goals in his first match back with the Metros after missing the previous two while representing Honduras in World Cup qualifying.

It was the first time this season the Galaxy was shut out, and the 3-0 loss was their heaviest-ever league defeat at The Home Depot Center.

Both teams were nearly at full strength after missing a number of players through international duty for the past few weeks, and they figured in the early exchanges as Metros 'keeper Jonny Walker came up big against the Galaxy's dangerous forward pairing of Carlos Ruiz and Jovan Kirovski, saving an attempt from each.

Ruiz, who returned from injury to make his first start after missing six Galaxy matches, latched onto a good through ball from Ned Grabavoy in the14th minute and entered the Metros box, but Walker was quick off his line to cut down the angle and pushed away Ruiz's toe poke.

Kirovski later had the best chance for the home side in the opening period when Andreas Herzog served up a great ball from the left flank, but his diving header didn't give Walker any serious problems.

The visitors got their first goal from a blistering 25-yard strike by Guevara in the 16th minute. A fine buildup saw Ricardo Clark play the final pass to Guevara from the right flank and the Honduran took care of the rest, taking a few touches towards the Galaxy net before unleashing an unstoppable drive just inside the right post.

Gaven then sealed the deal before the end of the opening stanza with two splendid finishes. On the first, Guevara made a slicing run in from the left flank before laying the ball off to Gaven inside the penalty area, who cut past Marcelo Saragosa to free some space and slot home past Hartman from close range.

The second-year attacker then bettered his first with a wonderful curling effort from the top of the box that Hartman could do nothing about. Guevara found Gaven on the right side of the box this time, before the youngster skipped through traffic and sent a splendid shot around Hartman's dive and inside his right-hand post, for his second goal of the night and the season.

In the second half the Galaxy came out looking to get back into the game, but the MetroStars' defense thwarted nearly every attack. When Los Angeles was able to create chances, poor finishing let them down.

Cobi Jones made several dangerous runs on the flanks and almost linked up nicely with Kirovski in the 53rd minute. Jones galloped down the right flank and looked to play a speedy 1-2 with Jones, but his shot on the return pass sailed high over the top.

Jones made a similar run down the left flank in the 77th minute, gaining the end line with a burst of speed. When he attempted to cut the ball back into the path of his strikers, Eddie Pope stepped in to clear the danger.

The MetroStars had two chances to add a fourth right at the death. First, second-half substitute Cornell Glen tried to chip Hartman after getting on the end of a long Sergio Galvan Rey pass but saw it just sail high. Then Galvan Rey created the final chance of the match moments later when he found Guevara, who smashed a shot against the right post. The ball rebounded towards Galvan Rey in the area with Hartman nowhere in sight, but he was unable to force the ball into the net.

Source: MetroStars.com

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