Guevara , Gaven push Metros by L.A.

Photo by Basilio Falcinelli

E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The MetroStars continued their recent trend of dominance over the Los Angeles Galaxy, snapping a modest two-game winless streak with a 2-1 win at Giants Stadium on Saturday night.

A first-half penalty kick by Amado Guevara and a goal on the rebound by Eddie Gaven in the second half gave the Metros their sixth win in their last seven games at home against their West Coast rival. The other game was a draw.

The Galaxy, meanwhile, missing starters Landon Donovan (who scored earlier in the day for the U.S. in a 2-0 win against Canada), Tyrone Marshall and Guillermo Ramirez to the Gold Cup, have now gone six consecutive games without a win. And they continued their miserable record on the road, having secured just one point in eight games away from The Home Depot Center, where they haven't won in more than a year.

Twice in the first half the MetroStars burned the Galaxy with balls over the top of their defense. On the first one, a sublime chip by Guevara, Ante Razov was knocked down in the box by Ugo Ihemelu, prompting referee Abbey Okulaja to award a penalty kick.

Guevara stepped to the spot and did what he did best, slotting the penalty to the left of Kevin Hartman, who guessed the wrong way, in the 14th minute to give the Metros a 1-0 lead.

A minute before halftime, Sergio Galvan Rey was freed by Mark Lisi's long ball and was tripped up by Todd Dunivant, just to the top right of the box. But Razov's free kick caromed off the near post.

Galvan Rey, who made his third consecutive start, was the Metros best player for the first hour. Filling in for Youri Djorkaeff, who missed the game with a hamstring strain, Galvan Rey had a pair of quality scoring chances in the 52nd minute but Hartman stopped the first shot from 14 yards out and the rebound sailed wide of the far post.

The Galaxy, who came into the game scoring just two goals in their last five games, equalized against the run of play on a perfectly placed shot by Herculez Gomez from the extreme right of the box. Gomez received the ball from Paulo Nagamura and put the ball off the far post and to the back of the net as MetroStars goalkeeperZach Wells remained motionless on his line.

Other than that, Wells wasn't tested. He didn't register a save on the night.

A brilliant buildup from the Metros led to the go-ahead goal in the 67th minute. Following a string of passes, Gaven found Guevara at the top of the box. After momentarily holding the ball, Guevara scooped the ball over the static Galaxy defenders back to Gaven, whose initial header was saved by Hartman. But Gaven knocked in the rebound for his fifth goal of the year.

Metros head coach Bob Bradley made a three changes in the final 24 minutes, replacing his son Michael with Mike Magee in the 66th minute -- it was the first time Michael Bradley was taken off the field this year. As well, Abbe Ibrahim made his first appearance since June 12 when he came in Galvan Rey in the 71st minute and Carlos Mendes replaced Lisi in the 75th minute. Ibrahim missed three games after having surgery to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee.

Source:  MetroStars.com / Dylan Butler / MLSnet.com Staff

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