[retired_mallory08]

METROS MIDSEASON WRAP UP

After a solid start for the second season under head coach Ricky Lung, the Metros seem to have slowed down. In fact, by looking at their recent form, it reminds people of the 2004 Metros.

Just before the half way point, the management of the Metros had made the decision that it is time for the team to have a new leader. They fired head coach Ricky Lung.

Shortly after that, Ricky Lung came in with a new resume, and the Metros decided to give him one more shot. They hired Ricky for the second time, but this time, he will name himself as Ricky Lung II.

They start under coach Lung II was not a start that fans and management want. Coach Lung II lost his first two games: a 3-0 road lost to Chicago and a 1-0 home lost to Colorado.

The Metros seem to have a problem scoring goals again. Opening day striker Brian Ching scored on the first game, and since then he has not find the net. The only bright spot of the first half for the Metros is their offseason acquisition, Hati young forward Jean-Phillipe Peguero. He had scored 7 goals so far this season for the Metros.

Although the recent free fall drops the Metros down to the 4th spot on the East, they will probably still get in the playoff consider the display the New England had put up this season. The NE Revolution still did not win a game after 16 tries, and the departure of head coach Nick, people start comparing them with the 2004 Metrostars.

Despite all those talk, there still half of the season to go, we will see how the East develop.

[retired_mallory08]

.... ....

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[retired_mallory08]

BREAKING NEWS.....!!!

[retired_mallory08]

United Continue to Lead the East

United are still leading the Eastern Conference despite cooling off after their stellar start of six wins and one draw from seven matches. It is still difficult to bear United but Chicago and Columbus have started to get closer in the standings thanks to their improved form.

Internal problems may be the cause of United's slowdown since Leonardo Gonzalez was recently criticized for his poor form following his 3 match ban for his early sending off against United's 3-0 loss to Chicago. The team had to do without the services of Ivan Robelto for 4 motnhs and Carlos Fernando Figueroa for one month, but with both these players returning to the team, United are likely to terrorize defenses once again.

Once again a large number of United players were called up to the All Star game with Nick Rimando, Leonardo Gonzalez, Mike Petke, Ricardo Clark, Dema Kovalenko and Stoyko Sakaliev starting and C.J. Brown as an unused reserve. Sakaliev and Kovalenko scored the Eastern All Stars' two goals in the losing after extra time and Mike Petke was sent off at the 101st minute for a second bookable offense after arguing with Mr. Banica's dubious decision to award the Western All Stars a free kick right outside the area.

United have 9 game remaining in the regular season including a 4 game home stretch to face MetroStars, Columbus and San Jose back to back.

[retired_mallory08]

Steady as she goes.....

A run of W2 L2 added 6pts on the campaign and helped move SJ away from the dreaded draw rut they had fallen into as midseason had approached. "2 wins = 6pts, 4 draws = 4. It's not rocket science as to why I'll tkae these results over the draws."

Clark felt a little hard done by, in typical fashion his side was undone by the two teams that deserved no more than a tie. "We have a horrible knack of conceding on our first shot against.....and our second. Either we're airtight or resemble a sieve. That's no slur on big Joe C, just how I see it."

Josh Wolff blasted a couple of goals against his former employer KC as SJ came from behind to win 3-1. The other victory came against FC Dallas, who showed why they are one of the worst teams in the league.

We're up to third now, and with 10 games to go for us, aiming for that top seed should not be out of the question. It's more likely, however, we'll be playing as or against the 2nd seed like last year. After our poor start that's acceptable."

SJ we're well represented at the recent All Star Game in Columbus, with 7 of the 19 players from the West plying their trade at Club level at Spartan Stadium.

SGR (2) and Mulrooney scored as the West ran out 4-2 winners. Pope, Vagenas and SGR started, with Estoyanoff (wtf?!) and Mulrooney coming off the bench. Henrickson and youngster Vandenborre were unused subs. Former Quake Pablo Mastroeni also started for the West.

"It just proves we've got the players here, we just need to get this talented group of individuals playing well together".

In a couple of transfers SJ dealt unhappy Jimmy Conrad to KC for a 2nd Rounder and added veteran spanish star Hierro. 'Don't get many bigger names than that. Even at 37 he can do a job for us this year, perhaps even next". Clark also attempted to bring in some other names (Jardel and Muller) but was having a few roster issues before he is able to confirm anything. He also made an audacious bid for Patrick Kluivert which met with an almost ineviitable snub. "He didn't even want to talk to us and I offered everything we had. We knew he was available. What can I say? It was worth a shot?'

Apparently not.

[retired_mallory08]

Back on Track

IN: Davy Arnaud free transfer to add more striking depth
Out: Troy Davak and Scott Buete they weren't doing enough to break into the first team.

After a poor stretch of form, a reserve Fire squad travelled to Long Island for the US Cup 3rd round. We came through comfortably 3-1 with a brace from Ante and Arnaud.

Next up was the Crew's visitl to the treacherous Soldier Field. Early on we though that everything was going to plan, Ralph scored what turned out to be an offside goal. After that, it went downhill quickly, Buddle broke the offside trap and the Crew had the lead. Then Manny Lagos punished our trademark persistent fouling, TWICE and we were in a three goal hole. Davy Arnaud pulled one back, then we made a tactical gamble. Justin Mapp took on a free role in the centre of the park, Gakhokidze made way for Razov and Ralph dropped into the midfield. Razov took the game by the scruff of the neck and he singlehandedly dragged us level. It was a Razov inspired fightback and he showed that there are still some unaired episodes of the Ante Razov show lying around.

Against Dallas we won with 2 goals five minutes either side of the halftime whistle. First, Armas finished a fluid passing move and Joseph rose at the near post to head in a corner. Dallas, as an attacking force, didn't create much and USMNT strikers EJ and Twellman were living on scraps. Shockingly, EJ hasn't scored all season. Twellman grabbed a lifeline for Dallas with 20 minutes to go finishing a wonderfully crafterd move, but it was nothing more than a consolation goal.

After a nice home stretch we went ito DC to face arguably the best side in MLS. DC got off to a great start Alva netted after 29 minutes, a move that craved our defense to shreds. DC looked dangerous going forward and we rode our luck at times, as we struggled to get going. The breakthrough came after 69 minutes, All Star centre half Mike Petke was off the field recieving treatment for a head wound, DC failed to clear the ball out of play and Mapp picked it up on the left side and created a chance for Boucicaut. He nicely slotted it past Rimando the ball nestling just inside the far post. It finished 1-1 and we came away with a stolen road point.

Fire 3-0 Revs. An improving Rev's team came to town, and after 13 minutes we broke quickly with Razov and he found Arnaud in the box to give us the lead. Then on the stroke of halftime Razov took advantage of some sloppy defending, he put away the rebound from Arnaud's fierce shot, this was a chance created by the vision of Guevara. Right after the break it was back to business, Razov headed Gakhokidze's cross home on 49 minutes. The Rev's mini-revival took a dent with this defeat, but the new manager still thinks that he can catch the Metro's for tha last playoff spot.

[retired_mallory08]

GETTING BACK ON TRACK?

After a struggling start with coach Lung II, they seems to get back on track a bit. They got a point out of the two games against Columbus and DC with the absent of coach Lung due to some off-court emergency. They played them tough, they came up short with a 3-2 lost to Columbus, and they fighted bravely against DC and both team all squared at 2 apiece. After that was another tough opponent, SJ coming in town, but the Metros hang on just enough to get all 3 points.

Just when they thought they have some momentum going, the dead last NE gave them a surprise. NE had just sacked their manager at that time, they didn't play well at all the whole season, so the Metros thought they will get out there and take 3 points home easily, but it was totally wrong. The Revolution came out and socred two early goals, the Metros pulled back within one mid-way through second, and they pushed all the players up and tried to get the tying goal, this lead to two more during injury time, and make it 4-1 the final score.

NE is getting closer on the Metros for the final playoff spot in the East.

Will the Metros hang on? We will find out soon.

[retired_mallory08]

[retired_mallory08]

United lose striker for the rest of the regular season

Two consecutive away losses to Los Angeles by the score of 1-0 caused a dip in morale for United players, but once again fit left winger Ivan Robelto started to make a strong claim for a role in the first eleven.

Home game against New England was a silent encounter with the bottom dwellers defending tightly for a draw and hoping to catch the MetroStars napping for the last playoff spot. The match ended 0-0 with little for either side.

Away match with United's fierce rivals Chicago was an important match since a Chicago win would mean that the two teams would be level on points for the first time since the first match of the season. Both managers tinkered with the lineups and formations to start the match with a 3-man defense proving popular for both sides.

After a quiet first half, United caught a break with a quick counter started by Carlos Fernando Figueroa and finished by Piero Alva. Moments later, a questionable penalty was awarded to Chicago when Nick Rimando parried the ball away from Damani Ralph's feet only for Ralph to take a dive after losing the ball. The refree, 30 yards away from the play, decided to award the penalty rather than showing a card to Ralph. Amado Guevara converted to level the score. Chicago looked unpenetrable in the back but Ivan Robelto delivered a precise cross to Stoyko Sakaliev who headed in United's winner.

At home, United was once again able to defeat the MetroStars thanks to a hat trick by Stoyko Sakaliev. The MetroStars looked extremely shaky going forward as United's pressing won many balls in the midfield to set up the four goals scored by United in the match.

After the match, United manager was shocked by the news that Sakaliev would be out for the next month recovering from a groin injury. "Stoyko hasn't had this much room to run against any other opponent this season. Perhaps he got a bit overzealous and stretched himself too far. Piero Alva is just as capable of leading this team's attack. We will miss Stoyko but he will be back for the playoffs when these matches matter." United manager commented.

United have guaranteed qualification for the playoffs for the second straight season and look likely to grap the home field advantage in the East this time around.