Guevara and Glen Lead MetroStars in 2-1 Win Over Kansas City Wizards

Amado Guevara Extends Consecutive Point Streak to Eight Games; Metros Remain
in 1st Heading into Break

KANSAS CITY, MO (Wednesday, July 28, 2004) – The Kansas City Wizards saw their nine-game unbeaten run come to crashing halt in their final game before the All-Star break, as Amado Guevara's stunning free kick strike early in the second half gave the MetroStars a 2-1 victory on Wednesday night at Arrowhead Stadium, cementing their hold on first place in the Eastern Conference.

Cornell Glen's goal had given the visitors the lead midway through the first half, but Chris Klein equalized from the penalty spot just before halftime drew the match to even at the break. Just minutes into the second session, Metros 'keeper Jonny Walker saved a second penalty kick awarded to the Wizards. The save gave way to Guevara's free kick from just outside the area just minutes later, that left Kansas City 'keeper Tony Meola rooted to his line, and gave the “Red and Black” the lead for good.

Finding their rhythm against the disjointed Wizards, the MetroStars began to implement an effective game plan early in the match by sending in crosses seemingly at will as midfielders Joselito Vaca and Eddie Gaven found ample space on the wing and repeatedly combined with midfield maestro Amado Guevara.

The inevitable came in the 23rd minute as striker John Wolyniec rounded Wizards central defender Jimmy Conrad on the right wing and sent in a low ball for an unmarked Glen. The Trinidad & Tobago international easily struck for his fourth goal of the season, neatly sidefooting home a drive past 'keeper Tony Meola in front of a backtracking Jack Jewsbury.

But Glen's goal awakened the Wizards lackluster attack and they began to direct the tempo. The change paid dividends in the 36th minute when Chris Klein played a sharp cross from the right flank into a cutting Arnaud. Center back Eddie Pope snagged Arnaud's jersey as he prepared to shoot and referee Michael Kennedy immediately whistled for the penalty. Klein stepped up and hit it low into the bottom right corner past a sprawling Walker for his fourth goal of 2004.

The pace quickened in the second half as each team attacked consistently and forcibly, and in the 51st minute, the Wizards found fortune as Klein again had space to serve into the box. Midfield mate Francisco Gomez latched on to the ball despite being fouled from behind by Metro back Tenywa Bonseu, and again Kennedy did not hesitate in pointing to the spot.

Klein again stepped to the spot, but this time Walker danced on his line and dove slightly to his right to save Klein's thigh-high effort and preserve the tie.

Seizing the momentum, the Metros urgently pushed up field, and then earned a quality chance through the crafty Glen in the 66th minute. After evading one defender, Glen was hacked down by Conrad at the left edge of the penalty box to line up a promising free kick right on the line.

Guevara took the chance well, curling a right-footed shot into the right upper corner of the goal past a helpless Meola for his ninth tally of the campaign. In doing so, Guevara added to his league-leading point total on the season.

Source: MetroStars.com

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