Guevara Notches Fifth Consecutive Game With a Point;
Metros Coach Bob Bradley Earns 99th Career Win

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (Saturday, July 10, 2004)  The MetroStars took advantage of their scoring opportunities in the second half, getting goals from John Wolyniec and Amado Guevara to post a 2-0 victory at Giants Stadium on Saturday.

Wolyniec's goal in the 63rd minute put the MetroStars on top, though they did not seal the result until Guevara hit a penalty deep into stoppage time.

The Metros snapped a three-game losing streak while taking possession of first place in the Eastern Conference. The defending MLS Cup champion Earthquakes meanwhile dropped their third consecutive match and remain at the bottom of the Western Conference.

The first half proved to be very tight which saw each team have few chances to put a tally on the scoreboard. Earthquakes goalkeeper Pat Onstad was called upon to lunge to his left to punch away Guevara's 16-yard shot in the 26th minute, and the Earthquakes almost scored in the 40th minute when Jamil Walker nearly turned home an Arturo Alvarez pass, only to see the ball trickle off the post and out before the Metros were able to clear.

Just before the break, Guevara started to put his stamp on the match, first curling a shot just over the goal from the left, then whipping in a cross for Wolyniec, who had a clear header at the far post, but he also put that effort over the bar.

Just after the hour mark, the MetroStars won a corner kick, which failed to create a scoring chance. When the ball was knocked out of the box, Guevara was able to take possession outside the penalty area before touching the ball over to Craig Ziadie. Ziadie then played a perfect no-look through-ball to Wolyniec who was left alone in front of the Earthquakesâ?T goal and had little difficulty beating Onstad for his fourth goal of the season.

Pushing to score the equalizer, the Earthquakes hit the woodwork again in the 77th minute, when Jeff Agoos lofted a free kick into the area and Craig Waibel flicked it towards the far post where the ball dipped and appeared to be heading over the line, only for the ball to again bounce off the inside of the post as MetroStars goalkeeper Jonny Walker was again able to clear his lines.

Three minutes later, Walker came up with a key clearance when he ran through traffic and leaped up to punch the ball clear from trouble as two Earthquakes converged in search of the equalizer.

The MetroStars ended the suspense on the counterattack when substitute Pablo Brenes was given enough time and space out of the back to push the ball all the way to the San Jose 18-yard box and lay it off beautifully for Mike Magee. Magee, who otherwise played a splendid match for the MetroStars â?" stepped past Agoos and might have scored if he was not knocked over by Wes Hart. Referee Kevin Terry immediately pointed to the penalty spot after Hartâ?Ts tackle. Guevara stepped up to the penalty spot, and scored his sixth goal of the season with a perfectly-struck shot that rendered Onstad helpless even as he correctly dove to his left.

With the win, Metros coach Bob Bradley earned his 99th career victory. The MetroStars (6-6-4, 22 points) next play on Saturday night at Soldier Field against Eastern Conference rival Chicago Fire.

Source: MetroStars.com

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