August 17 (7:30 p.m.) - Dallas Burn at MetroStars METROSTARS MLS PLAY: 9-10-2 (29 points) AT HOME: 3-6-2 LAST FIVE MATCHES: 2-3-0 MATCHES PLAYED: 21 GOALS SCORED: 35 (1.7 per match) GOALS ALLOWED: 34 (1.6 per match) DIFFERENTIAL: +1 All-time Head-to-Head: Dallas leads series 9-7-0 (Burn lead 31-21 on aggregate goals) '02 Head-to-Head: Dallas leads series 2-0-0 (Burn lead 4-1 on aggregate goals) BURN MLS PLAY: 9-5-7 (34 points) ON THE ROAD: 2-3-5 LAST FIVE MATCHES: 2-2-1 MATCHES PLAYED: 21 GOALS SCORED: 31 (1.5 per match) GOALS ALLOWED: 28 (1.3 per match) DIFFERENTIAL: +3 Last 5 -- METROSTARS LOSS AT HOME v. CLB (2-3) LOSS ON THE ROAD at CHI (0-3) WIN ON THE ROAD at KC (3-1) WIN AT HOME v. NE (4-3) LOSS AT HOME v. CHI (2-3) Last 5 -- BURN WIN AT HOME v. CHI (3-1) LOSS AT HOME v. KC (0-1) DRAW ON THE ROAD at COL (2-2) LOSS ON THE ROAD at SJ (0-4) WIN AT HOME v. SJ (2-1) Injury Bug : METROSTARS - OUT: D Marcelo Balboa (knee bone bruise-R), M Tab Ramos (torn hamstring-L); PROBABLE: F Mamadou Diallo (strained lower abdominal), M/F Clint Mathis (torn meniscus & sprained MCL-R), D Ted Chronopoulos (strained groin-L) DALLAS BURN - OUT: GK D.J. Countess (shoulder surgery-L), D Chris Gbandi (knee surgery-L) Player to watch out for : Jason " The Metro Killer " Kreis http://www.mlsnet.com/bios/jason_kreis.html Scoreboard watching.... http://www.mlsnet.com/scores.html Radio ... http://www.radiowado.com/ - spanish http://www.foxsports1190.com/main.html (eng.) Weather Outlook..... Sat. Aug 17 Mostly Cloudy 93°/74° SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Kevin Stott; Assistant Referees: Robert Fereday (SAR), Steve Taylor (JAR) Don't Forget : It's the "NASL Reunion Weekend" which for the first time will feature the NASL's all-time leading scorer Giorgio Chinaglia in a match prior to the start of the MLS game ... Both the Burn and MetroStars will honor the occasion by playing in NASL retro-style uniforms
we need a result in this game in the worst way,but it may take a while for this unit to gel. i don't know if the team can come together between now and the playoffs.
Dallas always seems to be a killer for us when we need that win. I really don't see us fairing to well against the Burn. They have just about every starter available , where as we have to make do with too many new faces or retreads. I don't want to think it but, I'm thinking 3-2 Burn.
I wonder if Pepe Pinton came to his senses and will let the Metros don the Cosmos logo on their shirts this time. I don't agree with Metro Mail's predicted line-up which has Diallo on the bench (even though he's listed as "probable"). Prediction: Faria comes off the bench to score late in the match for a 2-1 Metros win. Yes, the Metros will win at "home"...finally!
If the injured players come roaring back with a vengeance we will get the result. If not, Dallas is quite capable of playing with any team in this league and is a favorite of mine to reach both Open Cup and MLS Cup final. My prediction is a game full of twists and surprises that ends in a 3-3 draw and includes at least one red card.
I'm not feeling too sure on this one... Clint is back, Mama is in the lineup, Williams is there...looks like Metro might sneak out of this with just the odd point. Defense and possession will be the key tonight. They must get a hold of Kreis and Rhine early on. The Metros must also keep the ball away from the likes of Vaca, or else he'll just tear the Metros a third one in the back line. The defense has to step up tonight.
Is anyone else watching the match on Fox Sports Net with Spanish announcers? Or is JP waiting for Shep to get back up in the booth?