MLS Major League Soccer

MLS Game Previews

Published on July 11, 2002 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


NEW YORK (Thursday, July 11, 2002) -- The following are game previews for all MLS matches scheduled for Saturday, July 13. The nationally televised Soccer Saturday Game of the Week on ESPN2 will feature the Kansas City Wizards visiting the New England Revolution at CMGi Field at 4:00.p.m. (ET).

Saturday, July 13 (4:00 p.m.) - Kansas City Wizards at New England Revolution (ESPN2)
2001 Head-to-Head: Kansas City won series 2-0-0 (Wizards led 4-1 on aggregate goals)
All-time Head-to-Head: Kansas City leads series 9-6-0 (Wizards lead 22-17 on aggregate goals)
Top scorers: Kansas City: M Preki (4g, 6a =14pts); New England: F Taylor Twellman (13g, 1a =27pts)
Did you know?: New England midfielder Steve Ralston is one of only three field players that has played every minute of every game this season. D.C. United defender Brandon Prideaux and San Jose Earthquakes defender Wade Barrett are the others.
Key players out: Kansas City: D Peter Vermes (fractured rib-R); New England: F Diego Serna (torn ACL, meniscus - L)
Notes: With a win, New England would become the first team all season to string together a three-game winning streak ... New England has climbed back into the playoff picture with two wins in a row behind the scoring of Taylor Twellman (13 goals) and the goalkeeping of Adin Brown (one goal allowed in last two games) ... Kansas City has not won on the road this season with a record of 0-4-3 away from Arrowhead Stadium ... Revolution Head Coach Steve Nicol has seen several key changes in the lineup bear fruit, including Brown and the insertion of forward Ian Fuller ... Kansas City has lost only two of its last ten games, going 4-2-4 in the process ... New England is tied for the League-lead in goals scored with 27, but has also allowed a League-high 31 goals ... Kansas City is led by midfielder Preki, who has scored a team-high seven goals and added six assists in 16 career games against the Revolution ... These two teams met three weeks ago in a slugfest that ended in a 3-2 Wizards win ... Wizards forward Igor Simutenkov scored twice for his first MLS points, and Jay Heaps and Taylor Twellman scored goals for the Revolution ... The match also saw Preki take over the all-time scoring lead with an assist (he has since been bypassed by Jason Kreis) ... The Wizards have won the last four meetings against the Revolution dating back to July 19, 2000.
Final Whistle: With New England on a roll as of late, Kansas City must count on its defense to stop the Taylor Twellman scoring machine. On the other end, expect Kansas City to see its share of chances against the worst defense in the League. With both teams making several changes to the starting lineups in recent weeks, any number of players could be called upon to win the game for either team.
SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Kevin Terry; Assistant Referees: Greg Barkey (SAR), George Gansner (JAR)

Saturday, July 13 (4:00 p.m.) - Chicago Fire at MetroStars (Fox Sports Chicago, MSG - TD 7:00p.m.)
2001 Head-to-Head: Chicago won series 2-0-0 (Fire led 4-1 on aggregate goals)
All-time Head-to-Head: Chicago leads series 6-4-0 (MetroStars lead 15-13 on aggregate goals)
Top scorers: Chicago: F Ante Razov (9g, 3a =21pts); MetroStars: F Rodrigo Faria (6g, 2a =14pts)
Did you know?: Through just 15 matches in 2002 the Fire has lost 98 player games due to injury, national team call-ups, and suspension.
Key players out: Chicago: M Chris Armas (torn ACL-R), M Peter Nowak (sprained MCL-L), F Hristo Stoitchkov (sprained MCL-R), D Evan Whitfield (torn ACL-L), M Sergi Daniv (ligament repair on great toe-R), F Mike Nugent (torn lateral meniscus-L); MetroStars: F Clint Mathis (torn meniscus-R), M Tab Ramos (strained hamstring-L)
Notes: Battling through injuries to key players, the Fire and MetroStars have assembled teams which are still battling it out atop the Eastern Conference ... A Fire victory would pull Chicago into a tie with the MetroStars atop the Eastern Conference standings ... Chicago is coming off a draining Football Confederation (CONCACAF) Champions Cup tie against Morelia on Wednesday in which the team fell just short of advancing to the semifinals ... A young core of players is carrying the team through this difficult stretch with the likes of Carlos Bocanegra, Kelly Gray and Josh Wolff carrying the load ... Players like forward John Wolyniec and midfielder Billy Walsh have seen time for Bob Bradley's squad due to the many absences ... Walsh, a New Jersey native and Metros player for four seasons ('98-'01) would be making his first-ever appearance in an opponent's jersey at Giants Stadium if he sees playing time ... Just as Clint Mathis goes down to injury, the MetroStars get forward Mamadou Diallo back after the Senegalese sensation returns from a two-game suspension following a red card offense in New England on June 29 ... With Tab Ramos and Mathis out due to injury, Jamaican international Andy Williams will be asked to assume the creative license and serve Diallo ... The MetroStars are 6-1-0 this year in League games in which they score two or more goals ... In day games, the Metros hold a 4-0-0 record this season ... With a win in the last meeting against Chicago, MetroStars goalkeeper Tim Howard beat the Fire for the first time in his career (1-5-0) ... The two teams split their earlier games this season with the road team winning each time.
Final Whistle: In a fight for first place in the East, Chicago will probably be without leading scorer Ante Razov (knee tendonitis), who did not play in the midweek cup match against Morelia. However, Chicago has found ways to score without him, as it has a League-high 11 different players with at least one goal (tied with New England). If Chicago's defense is not sharp, the MetroStars may be able to capitalize on the return of Diallo (six goals in five games with the Metros) from suspension.

Saturday, July 13 (7:30 p.m.) - Columbus Crew at D.C. United (WSYX, Comcast)
2001 Head-to-Head: Series was tied 1-1-0 (Aggregate goals were tied 3-3)
All-time Head-to-Head: D.C. leads series 13-7-2 (United lead 36-35 on aggregate goals)
Top scorers: Columbus: F Jeff Cunningham (9g, 3a =21pts); D.C.: F Santino Quaranta (3g, 4a =10pts)
Did you know?: D.C. United has accumulated more regular season wins against the Columbus Crew (19) than against any other team in its history.
Key players out: Columbus: D/M Duncan Oughton (New Zealand National Team duty), D Mike Lapper (sprained knee-L); D.C.: D Ryan Nelsen (New Zealand National Team duty), M Lazo Alavanja (red card suspension),
Notes: A classic MLS matchup sees a D.C. United squad, which has relied on its home performances to register all 19 of its standings points (6-1-1), host a Columbus team which has only registered one win in 16 all-time regular season matches at RFK Stadium ... Both teams are looking to stem multi-game losing streaks with Columbus hoping to register its first win since June 15 ... The Crew have allowed seven goals in the last two games and a shuffling of the defensive personnel is yet to bring about the desired results ... On the attacking end, Columbus has undisputed attacking talent but except for Jeff Cunningham (team-high nine goals), finishing has been a problem ... The return of Brian McBride from the World Cup (two goals in two games) should help resolve those issues ... United's problems can be traced to scoring (League-low 18 goals) ... The fact is that the team's two star forwards, All-Stars Santino Quaranta and Jaime Moreno, have only started five of United's 15 games together and four of United's five shutout losses have come when the duo were not in the starting eleven ... Defender Eddie Pope is another player whose injury (knee) may be severe enough to keep him out of a direct matchup against World Cup teammate Brian McBride.
Final Whistle: Especially with Ryan Nelsen absent due to New Zealand's Oceania Nations Cup run, United will be desperate to have Eddie Pope recover in time to offer a physical and aerial presence in central defense ... Crew forward Brian McBride has scored in two consecutive games and seems ready to carry the Crew on his shoulders in the second half of the season
SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Gus St. Silva; Assistant Referees: Robert Fereday (SAR), Jorge de la Bandera (JAR)

Saturday, July 13 (8:30 p.m.) - San Jose Earthquakes at Dallas Burn (KICU)
2001 Head-to-Head: Series was tied 1-1-0 (Earthquakes led 2-1 on aggregate goals)
All-time Head-to-Head: Dallas leads series 11-10-0 (Earthquakes lead 29-26 on aggregate goals)
Top scorers: San Jose: F Ariel Graziani (10g, 3a =23pts); Dallas: F Jason Kreis (12g, 2a =26pts)
Did you know?: Forward Jason Kreis has scored at least one goal in all seven Dallas Burn victories this season. In the team's three losses, he has been held without a point.
Key players out: San Jose: D Jeff Agoos (strained calf-R), D Troy Dayak (strained groin-L), M Ian Russell (strained calf-R); Dallas: M Paul Broome (disciplinary suspension)
Notes: A battle of the top two teams in the League will be the first of two consecutive meetings between the Dallas Burn and San Jose Earthquakes in a seven-day span ... The rematch is scheduled for July 20 at Spartan Stadium in San Jose ... Saturday's game offers an opportunity for the Burn to make a statement about their 2002 ambitions ... With two consecutive victories, they will move ahead of the Earthquakes in the Western Conference ... San Jose, the defending MLS Cup champion, leads the League in several categories including points (32), wins (10), goals scored (27 - tied with New England) and least goals allowed (16) ... San Jose starters Jeff Agoos, Troy Dayak and Ian Russell will all be sidelined with injuries ... Saturday's match will feature two of the top strikers in the League as MLS' all-time leading scorer Jason Kreis (26pts) goes up against his former teammate and MLS Player of the Month for June, Ariel Graziani (23pts) ... Kreis is one assist shy of joining Preki in the 60-60 club (goals/assists) ... Graziani took the field in his return to Dallas on March 23, a 2-0 road win for the Earthquakes and the Burn's only loss at home this season ... The game marks the start of a six-day road trip for the Quakes that includes a trip to Minnesota for an exhibition (July 14) and a U.S. Open Cup match against Seattle (July 17) ... A victory by the Burn at the Cotton Bowl would tie the team record for most consecutive home victories (5) and would break a record by extending a record-tying seven-game home unbeaten streak (5-0-2).
Final Whistle: These are two teams which depend heavily on flank play with Antonio Martinez (left) and Joselito Vaca (right) providing critical assists for Dallas, while Manny Lagos (right) and Ramiro Corrales (left) provide the wing play for the Quakes ... Neither team's forwards are particularly strong in the air and the game may come down to a single defensive slip-up ... With poachers like Kreis, Graziani and Donovan, defensive errors will be punished.
SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Erich Simmons; Assistant Referees: Chip Reed (SAR), Kermit Quisenberry (JAR)

Saturday, July 13 (9:00 p.m.) - Los Angeles Galaxy at Colorado Rapids (KCAL)


2001 Head-to-Head: Los Angeles won series 4-0-0 (Galaxy led 9-4 on aggregate goals)
All-time Head-to-Head: Los Angeles leads series 17-9-0 (Galaxy lead 48-29 on aggregate goals)
Top scorers: Los Angeles: F Carlos Ruiz (10g, 0a =20pts); Colorado: M Mark Chung (6g, 7a =19pts);
Did you know?: The Colorado Rapids were the first team to hold the Galaxy's Carlos Ruiz scoreless in 2002 with a 1-0 overtime victory on April 27.
Key players out: Los Angeles: M Simon Elliott (New Zealand National Team); Colorado: F John Spencer (disciplinary suspension)
Notes: After losing all four matches to the Los Angeles Galaxy last season, the Colorado Rapids are on track to reverse that trend, winning the first two meetings between the clubs this season ... Colorado captured a 1-0 overtime victory in Los Angeles on April 27 and defeated the Galaxy 3-2 in Colorado on June 1 ... Forward John Spencer scored the game-winner in the first match at the Rose Bowl, handing the Galaxy their only home loss this season ... The Scotsman will be missing from this match through suspension ... His absence will leave the scoring burden on second-year forward Chris Carrieri, MLS' reigning Player of the Week, who has scored five of the Rapids' last six goals ... Carrieri was also the lone Rapids forward in the June 1 match in which he registered an assist and also proved a threat to the Galaxy's goal ... Having missed last week's game after tweaking his knee in a practice, World Cup hero Pablo Mastroeni will be back in the Rapids' starting lineup, backing up Carlos Valderrama in midfield ... The Galaxy, who have alternated between a loss and a win for the last seven games, will look to build some consistency while missing central midfielder Simon Elliott due to New Zealand National Team duty ... Either way, Galaxy forward Carlos Ruiz, who was atop the MLS scoring charts for most of the year (12 goals), could use some better service ... The fact that his strike partner has changed frequently throughout the year has certainly not helped (Chris Albright, Gavin Glinton, Alejandro Moreno, Winston Griffiths, Cobi Jones and Brian Mullan have all seen time on either side of Ruiz in L.A.'s three-forward attack).
Final Whistle: Depending on how many men they can push forward, what starts out as a one-forward alignment for Colorado can mutate rapidly with the team's versatile midfielders also proving to be among MLS' top attacking players ... With Colorado expected to be on the offensive throughout the match, Carrieri therefore should not be isolated and the Galaxy defense, which was often exposed last weekend against San Jose, will need to be quick to pick up players in its own half.
SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Gerry Corrie; Assistant Referees: Richard Huber (SAR), Jose Corro (JAR)

ACE/TRU-FIT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER INJURY REPORT

The following is a brief team-by-team injury overview for Week 17 of the 2002 MLS Regular Season:

EASTERN CONFERENCE
CHICAGO FIRE - OUT: M Chris Armas (torn ACL-R), M Sergi Daniv (turf toe-R), M Peter Nowak (sprained MCL-L), F Mike Nugent (torn meniscus-L), F Hristo Stoitchkov (sprained MCL-R), D Evan Whitfield (torn ACL-L); DOUBTFUL: F Ante Razov (knee tendonitis-R); QUESTIONABLE: M DaMarcus Beasley (knee bruise-L), D Carlos Bocanegra (concussion & jaw) COLUMBUS CREW - OUT: D Mike Lapper (sprained knee-R); QUESTIONABLE: M John Harkes (knee contusion-L)
D.C. UNITED - OUT: GK Mike Ammann (elbow surgery), M Ben Olsen (ankle surgery); DOUBTFUL: D Eddie Pope (strained knee-L); QUESTIONABLE: F Jaime Moreno (strained groin-L), F Santino Quaranta (strained groin-L)
METROSTARS - OUT: D Marcelo Balboa (knee bone bruise-R), M/F Clint Mathis (torn meniscus-R), M Tab Ramos (strained hamstring-L); QUESTIONABLE: M/F Byron Alvarez (sprained ankle-L)
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION - OUT: F Diego Serna (torn ACL & meniscus-L)

WESTERN CONFERENCE
COLORADO RAPIDS - PROBABLE: GK Scott Garlick (sprained wrist-R)
DALLAS BURN - PROBABLE: D Steve Morrow (strained groin)
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS - OUT: D Jose Burciaga (torn ACL-L), D Peter Vermes (fractured rib-R); PROBABLE: M Eric Quill (strained calf-L)
LOS ANGELES GALAXY - OUT:F Isaias Bardales (knee sprain-R); QUESTIONABLE: D Tyrone Marshall (strained groin)
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES - OUT: D Jeff Agoos (strained calf-R), M Scott Bower (partial peroneal nerve palsy-R), D Troy Dayak (strained groin-L), M Ian Russell (strained calf-R)

SUSPENSION SUMMARY

Player/Coach Team Suspension Reason
Lazo Alavanja D.C. United 7/13 vs. CLB Red Card
Paul Broome Dallas Burn 7/13 vs. SJ 21 caution points

WARNING SUMMARY

Player/Coach Team Reason
Ante Razov Chicago Fire 11 pts in three games
Jeff Stewart Colorado Rapids 21 caution pts
Paul Broome Dallas Burn 11 pts in three games
Santino Quaranta D.C. United 11 pts in three games
Marco Etcheverry D.C. United 21 caution pts
Ivan McKinley D.C. United 21 caution pts
Tony Meola Kansas City Wizards 11 pts in three games
Carlos Ruiz Los Angeles Galaxy 21 caution pts
Jay Heaps New England Revolution 21 caution pts
Daniel Hernandez New England Revolution 21 caution pts
Steve Ralston New England Revolution 21 caution pts
Jimmy Conrad San Jose Earthquakes 21 caution pts

Check out the Major League Soccer Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from July 11, 2002


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central