Viva Guevara!

By Brian

Bolstered by the addition of four players with Mexican National Team experience, Chivas USA shook off their inaugural season doldrums and ambushed our Metros for a 3-3 draw. The late match heroics of reigning MLS MVP Amado Guevara kept the black and red booters playoff hopes from disappearing like guacamole dip at one of Drew's cocktail parties.

Chivas USA is the MLS extension of long time Mexican League Champion FC Guadalajara, nicknamed Chivas. They are long known for fielding only Mexican players, but MLS rules doesn't allow for the same luxury. However the results of their new signings indicated that maybe they should try harder to follow in their parent clubs foot steps?

Perhaps the heat and humidity favored Chivas as they caught fire soon after Guevara in the 5th minute converted a PK precipitated by Eddie Gaven being taken down in the box.

Juan Francisco Palencia, one of the new signees, led the Chivas attack as they proceeded to outmuscle the Metros for loose balls and raced through a shocked and unsteady Bradley Bunch. Palencia scored 2 goals within 5 minutes and the Metros had nothing but stunned expressions to show for it. Chivas turned up the heat and got another score when Juan Pablo Garcia took a pass and lofted a ball over Tony Meola for a 3-1 lead at the break.

With their poise in tact and wind back in their lungs, the Metros set about the 2nd half by stemming "Blue Tide" and established themselves in the midfield. Slowly building their confidence, the Metros established new forays into enemy territory. Finally in the 69th minute, Eddie Gaven was fouled again in the box. The call was questionable but Guevara's 2nd PK was not and the striped boys were back in this one at 3-2.

As the 2nd half wore on, the bi-partisan crowd grew anxious as to the result. Certainly Chivas deserved this one? Or would the Metros and their usual captain reach down deep for another miracle? Late substitutions brought renewed energy and opportunities to the Metros as Sergio Galvan Rey, Ibbe Ibrahim and Youri Djourkaeff all had near miss scoring chances in the final 10 minutes.

Once again Amado Guevara answered all Metros fan's prayers by scoring in the 94th minute taking a pass from Djourkaeff and hitting a terrific curling shot for his 3rd goal on the game and the match capper! The 3-3 draw kept the Metros from slipping further back in the playoff picture and showed once again why it's so nice to have an MVP in your XI.

Pregame:

With terrific heat and a very hot sun, a record low amount of bottled beer was consumed at our traditional pre-party (yours truly shockingly had only one Heineken). It was just too freaking hot to drink much more than cold water or an icy Gatorade. Thankfully many new and occasional guests arrived to keep things active and interesting. My friend John's family of five from Pennsylvania, Ronen's wife Dana, son David, and niece Jessica from Long Island, Liz, Peter and my wife Lori from Hoboken rounded out the guests. Fellow Idiots Greg, Ronen and Keith were all there to cook, drink and kick around the ball with all the children - and for those acting like one.

Postgame:

Joining Keith and I was Peter, Liz, my friends from PA: John, Melissa, Jacob, Abby and Riley as we attended the Official MetroStars Players Meet & Greet Night! It was a really fun time as we were able to go down onto the pitch and have several kicks at the "Old Onion Bag"! After realizing that Jacob had the best shot - no shocker there, we greeted all the available players and got numerous autographs! It was terrific fun and I can't wait until next year's event! Thanks to the MetroStars for the excellent opportunity.