MLS D.C. United

Pre-Game Report: MetroStars @ D.C. United

Published on September 26, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


Up Next, D.C. United: The MetroStars battle D.C. United for the second time this week on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. ET at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. (MSG, FSNY, WADO 1280 AM). D.C. is currently just one point behind the MetroStars in the Eastern Conference standings with each team having just five games remaining in the season.

Tickets are available for all MetroStars games at the Continental Airlines Arena box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets will also be available through Ticketmaster by phone for callers in New Jersey (201-507-8900), New York (212-307-7171), and for Spanish-speaking customers throughout New York and New Jersey (212-307-4757).

MLS Instant Replay: The MetroStars dropped a disspointing 2-0 result to D.C. United on Thursday night at Giants Stadium. The game was the first of three matches in seven days between the MetroStars and United. On Sunday, Sept. 28 the clubs meet in the second of a regular season home-and-home series at RFK Stadium, which will be followed by a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal showdown on October 1 at Yurcak Field, kicking off at 7:30 p.m.

Atlantic Cup: The Metros need only one point in Sunday's match against D.C. United to win the Atlantic Cup. D.C. United currently holds the cup as they took three out of four contests from the "Red and Black" last season. If D.C. wins Sunday's contest the tie-breaker will be goal differential. If the two clubs are still tied after looking at goal differential, D.C. United will retain the Cup.

The Atlantic Cup is given to the team that wins the season series between the MetroStars and D.C. United.

U.S. Open Cup: The MetroStars defeated the New England Revolution Wednesday, August 27th, 2-1, in the quarterfinals of the 2003 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in front of 3,853 fans at Yurcak Field, on the campus of Rutgers University. With the win, the MetroStars advance to the semifinals of the prestigious tournament to face D.C. United, who defeated the USL Pro Select League Champion Wilmington Hammerheads, 1-0. The MetroStars will next host D.C. United in the semifinals of the 2003 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, October 1 at Yurcak Field on the campus of Rutgers University, kicking off at 7:30 P.M. ET. Tickets to the game are $20, $15, and $10 for Rutgers students, who show identification at the university's box office. Tickets will go on sale Friday and can be purchased through the MetroStars front office located at One Harmon Plaza in Secaucus, NJ, via www.metrostars.com and through the Rutgers University box office, located at the Lewis Brown Athletic Center and can be reached at 1-866-445-4678. For more information call 1-888-4METROTIX.

Magic Number: The Metros' magic number of points to clinch a playoff spot is now nine, with five games remaining.

Bradley vs. Hudson: MetroStars coach Bob Bradley has posted a 4-5-2 regular season mark against D.C. coach Ray Hudson.

Century Mark: MetroStars defender Steve Jolley made his 100th appearance for the "Red and Black" Thursday against D.C. United at Giants Stadium. The William and Mary product becomes only the third player in team history to hit the century mark. Former Metros, and current United, defender Mike Petke holds the team record with 134, while former MetroStars playmaker Tab Ramos recorded 112. Jolley has started 98 games out of the 100 for the team.

MetroStars All-Time Games Played - Mike Petke - 134 (1998-2002); Tab Ramos - 112 (1996-2002); Steve Jolley - 100 (2000-present); Miles Joseph - 91 (1996-2000); Petter Villegas - 91 (1996, 1999-2002); Tony Meola - 90 (1996-1998); Tim Howard - 85 (1998-2003); Brian Kelly - 85 (1997-2000); Giovanni Savarese - 85 (1996-1998).

After Jolley, Mathis has the next most appearances for active Metros as he has played in 64 contests for the "Red and Black."

Juskowiak Gets In: The MetroStars' newest acquisition, Polish international forward Andrzej Juskowiak (on-JAY yoo-SKO-vee-ak), entered play in the 51st minute in last Saturday's game against the Columbus Crew. Juskowiak, who had trained with his new club for only three days, came on for forward Mike Magee.

16 Players Make Metro Debut: On September 20th, forward Andrzej Juskowiak became the 16th player to make his MetroStars debut this season. The other players are Kenny Arena, Edgar Bartolomeu, Ricardo Clark, Joey DiGiamarino, Juan Forchetti, José Galván, Eddie Gaven, Amado Guevara, Jacob LeBlanc, Chris Leitch, Mike Magee, Jaime Moreno, Eddie Pope, Tim Regan, and Jonny Walker.

Wolyniec Does It Again: MetroStars forward John Wolyniec has had a career year this season for the MetroStars tallying five goals and two assists, for 12 points. Two of these goals, including his goal last Saturday, have been golden goal game winners in overtime. The Fordham product is only the second player in league history to score multiple overtime goals (Carlos Ruiz, 4).

Mathis' Expunged, Guevara Suspended: Clint Mathis had four caution points removed from his total as he has stayed "card-free" for three consecutive games after being placed on official league warning.

Midfielder Amado Guevara, who wasn't eligible for his total to be reduced because he received a league reprieve already once this season, received a yellow card and will now be suspended for this Sunday's match against D.C. United. Players can only have caution points removed once per season.

Rookies?: Ricardo Clark and Mike Magee have not been typical rookies for the MetroStars this season. They are the only two players who have seen action in every contest for the "Red and Black" this season, and in addition Clark has started all 25 contests, while Magee has started 17. In these contests Clark has amassed a team high 2,325 minutes (only missing 23 on the season) and Magee has totaled 1,582 minutes thus far this season.

Top of the List: MetroStars goalkeeper Jonny Walker is currently second in the league in goals against average with a 1.05 average, behind San Jose's Pat Onstad's 0.88. Walker has played ten games for the Metros making 48 saves.

Two TV: The MetroStars and MSG Network announced that three MetroStars games during the month of September scheduled to be broadcast on MSG will also be simulcast in Spanish on Fox Sports NY. All three games fall during the September celebration of Hispanic Heritage. The first two matches have already been played, and the final match is this Sunday at 4:00 p.m. ET.

In the booth for each game will be the well respected broadcasting team of Ernesto Motta and Robert Sierra. Motta and Sierra have been calling MetroStars games on the radio since the team's inception, eight years ago. Motta recently provided Spanish SAP coverage for ABC's broadcast of the MLS All-Star Game.

Check out the D.C. United Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 26, 2003


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