GEEZ!!! I thought I needed my passport on Sunday! If I had closed my eyes, I would have put money on the fact that we were either playing in Carson, CA, or Mexico City. CRIPES!! I guess we should hand it to the Chivas faithful, as they showed up in numbers and rocked the house . . . NOT! Shhhhhhhhaaaaaadaaaaaahhhhp!!!!!!!!!

Our young fan club section had its hands full, as we were just a couple of sections over from the Mariachi Brothers’ Band, with our one snare drum and voice boxes! Honestly, we held our own against a very pro-Chivas crowd, and a great match atmosphere. The same could be said for our Boys of Summer, who once again, let themselves slip too far behind to earn 3 points. Nonetheless, they did salvage a draw against Chivas USA, riding the stellar performance of “El Lobo,” who turned his second trick of the season!!! Of course, who would not elect him the MLS Player of the Week? Incidentally, after I voted for Goal of the Week, Amado had earned a seemingly insurmountable advantage with 48% of the votes, and might earn “the double.” Ahem . . . Sorry, Palencia, you long-haired sissy with a manicure Paris Hilton would envy!!! It was AMADO’S show. PSSST!! FYI-You are on the currently most pathetic team in MLS! Did Chivas USA underestimate MLS? Hmmmmm . . . .

OK, now to more worthwhile subject matter . . . My parents actually made it down from NH this time and participated in their first MetroGate. It just so happens that with the concurrent Hispanic Heritage celebration ongoing, the MetroGate atmosphere was the best ever in some time. The ‘rents and I caught up on things, and then they mingled with the MetroNation “elite,” who seemed to appear after a long absence. Regardless, all had a great time, despite the dangerously hot and humid conditions. Once inside the stadium, I knew we would have our work cut out for us, especially on an evening when Alex Prus (MLS Referee) and his family sit with us!!! SHEESH!!! Talk about trying to be on your best behavior!

Can somebody please explain why we seem to nail our coffin half shut, then bust butt to salvage a tie??! If you took our league-leading NINE (9) draws and multiply by TWO (2), you get an impressive LEAGUE-LEADING 51 points, when you account for an equal amount of games played!?!!?! That suggests two things (off the top of my head): 1) we need team chemistry that “works” off the first kickoff whistle, and 2) we are not as bad as everyone likes to think we are! How about a coaching staff that can fire our Boys in Red and Black up?! At some point, you cannot just throw your hands up and say, “Leave it to Amado/Djorkaeff/Agoos/Meola, etc.” The coaching staff is equally accountable, and I think at this point, deserving of thoughtful criticism. Enough said. Frankly, I will leave the rest up to Angry Metro’s next “episode.”

We certainly could have used 3 points, instead of giving up 2. We are still treading water, with two consecutive matches against the KC Wizards. If you thought previous matches were important, besides the forthcoming DC United clashes, these two match-ups will have an extreme impact on the Metros playoff hopes. However, we have a little reprieve, as the MLS’s best take on Real Madrid. So, kick back and pick up the Sept 2005 issue of Vogue magazine and drool over Gisele as she shows how it is done on the pitch with the MetroStars (do not get any funny ideas; it was a tasteful spread . . . Hey, Leitch and Lisi! Keep your tongues in your mouth!). While time might be on our side, I would ask Lady Luck to consider this option, too, as we wind down the regular season! It looks like we will need a little . . .

Lastly, thanks to the MFO for a nice “Meet the Team” event after the game. Frankly, the highlight for me was just taking a break from yelling, screaming, and banging the drum . . . and just soaking up that good ol’ soccer fan atmosphere! Have a great Labor Day holiday, and GO USA!!!

METRONATION MAN OF THE MATCH: AMADO GUEVARA

YIRB,
MetroNation

Well, well, well! Mother Nature decides to strike again, as did Galvan Rey and Djorkaeff, to keep the Metros within reach of a playoff berth this season. Frankly, Mother Nature’s intervention (reminiscent of Opening Day, April 2; just add lots of lightning and thunder, and a temporary power outage at Giant’s Stadium) was welcomed, as the Crew seemed to have the upper hand in the early stages. Perhaps that lightning, whose theme can be detected in the MetroStars’ logo, was just what our Boys needed that night.

In the 22nd minute, the referee suspended the match, and MetroNation watched helplessly, as its new homemade banner was soaked, causing some of the paint (and some of the fans) to run. However, we will get it back into display-worthy condition. Fortunately, our trademark MetroNation flag banner endured so that we could enshrine #9 and #10 for the evening, especially to spite “Woly’s World” (or the Yellow Jacket Reserve Team), which had impressive numbers in Section 127. I think it is safe to say that most Metros fans do miss Woly, and some of us may have secretly smiled when he scored his first goal with the Crew against us. Nonetheless, the Red and Black Army was triumphant, just the way we wanted (and needed) it. During the temporary suspension, yours truly, and “Polska Nation” helped sustain a good “human wave” under the influence of my new snare drum “toy” . . . .

This notoriety seemed to draw a lot of camera attention, and the attention of a young admirer, Shawna, who was so cute, I could not resist giving her my autograph when she asked! Yes, she did ASK ME, first. Come down to MetroNation, again, Shawna!! The MetroGirls also made their presence known, and helped keep spirits up despite the weather. Incidentally, in case you did not know, you can learn more about the MetroGirls here!

Angry Metro was even angrier because his third “episode” was not posted, yet. Expect to hear something about that in Episode 4, if it comes. In fact, I am wondering myself . . . Oh, Mr Webmaster? However, that did not seem to bother the Metros’ stalwart fans, who saw the entire match through, only to witness an exciting second half and favorable end result. By the way, thanks to “Big Jake” for stopping by . . .

Not to get ahead of ourselves, but we must get three points at every opportunity, if we are to secure a playoff spot. Seriously, NOBODY did us any favors last week! SHEESH!! We will start with Chivas USA, who make me nervous as “darkhorse” powerhouse. “El Lobo” should be back in form, and look for young Tim Ward to contribute down the stretch (which is what he should before each match nowadays). We shall see!! The more crucial matches against DC United and the Wizards are just around the bend. It looks to be another nail-biter season . . . I am too old for this!!!

Then again, I guess it would not be Metros soccer, if it were any other way . . .

METRONATION MAN OF THE MATCH: YOURI DJORKAEFF

YIRB,
MetroNation

It figures that as I finish packing for a much needed vacation the afternoon of August 3, Nick Sackiewicz calls me to say that the Metros now have a new stadium. He said he was reaching out to me personally as the leader of MetroNation, and to spread the word. Yeah, I have only been waiting for this moment since I had initially caught wind of it nearly 5 years ago. Hey! Remember, I moved here from Virginia in October 2001, and NO, I was NEVER a DC fan! . . . Anyway, as I am en route to my vacation destination, Angry Metro parks himself in front of one of the PA speakers and uses his mobile phone to facilitate a “live mobilaudiocast” (new term for Webster’s) for me. You are a CHAMP, A.M.! Here is the All-Access feature on the Harrison Project milestone!

Speaking of vacations, do you remember me telling you about our very own Fundraising Coordinator, Keli Sorrentino, and clan leaving for a cross-country (and back) roadtrip (in a minivan mind you . . . UGH!)? OK, it was a “PS” afterthought, but I did mention it. Well, I continue to be enlightened by the latest in Web technology. The rest of MetroNation can now keep tabs on the Sorrentinos through their online travel diary, complete with photos! WE MISS YOU KELI & CO, AND WISH YOU SAFE TRAVELS!

Well, I have done quite well with scheduling vacations around Metros matches . . . which means I really don’t take ANY vacations. Of course, when one of your best pals from Virginia decides to take the “marriage plunge,” there is not much you can do about the scheduling. However, not to be outshined, Juan Carlos “Los” Gutierrez was text-messaging me the important play-by-play highlights, which I was tracking during the reception, in between the champagne toast, “Chicken Dance,” slices of cake, and well . . . beer . I had a great time, and was relieved to hear that we stole a point after being down 2-0 at the half. I just hope we do better when we inaugurate the Harrison Stadium. This was hardly consolation after a pathetic US Open Cup outing in Rochester. Any further critique will have to be left up to somebody who actually SAW the matches. Of course, that would mean Angry Metro should chime in at some point . . . OI!

I DID watch the match against DC United last night, and A.M. can thank them for his job security. With a back line decimated with injuries and having your captain (El Lobo) ejected for two silly fouls (I do not care what the rationale was behind them); the second of which came in the 45th minute?!!!, the Metros began banging at least one into their coffin for the season. Who knows how many it will take to seal it? Even when the player numbers were evened out with Jaime Moreno’s ejection in the 60th minute, neither the defense nor offense showed up. DC attackers seemed to penetrate without obstacle, and while the MetroStars created chances, they just could not finish their own at all. This was definitely not the MetroStars who had the best road record at the beginning of the season . . . Despite the injuries and merciless officiating, I respect the fact that the team did not make excuses for themselves. You can see for yourself.

The highlight of this “Surf and Turf” viewing party was the hospitality of Toms River ambassadors, Donny Sanders (a Citizen) and Paul Kelly. After waking up at 5 AM and jet-setting back and forth from Rochester, NY, for business, I landed at EWR and drove straight down to Toms River to arrive a little early. Donny showed me around Dover Township (NOT the one off of I-80) and his optimally located wine and liquor store on Rt 37 en route to the beach (Monaghan’s), where I picked up a great bottle of Shiraz. Then, we proceeded by [Paul] Kelly’s Sea Bay Sunoco station and autobody shop (where Seth Stammler gets tail-lights!) to “Kelly Beach,” where Paul and his sons were surfing . . . Both their respective families and many Toms River youth soccer coaches and players contributed to a great viewing atmosphere at McIntyre’s Pub in town, which provided a small complimentary buffet of pasta, wings, salad, and some kick-butt garlic bread. Thank you Toms River ambassadors: Don, Paul, and Jim Reynolds (pub owner/manager)!! Thanks for your support of MetroNation, the MetroStars, and youth soccer!!

While everyone seemed to be hanging ten at the beach, it would have been nice for us to hang at least one soccer ball on our banner last night, which was proudly displayed, again.

METRONATION MAN OF THE MATCH VS. DALLAS: YOURI DJORKAEFF (How can I rebuff Honda?)

METRONATION MAN OF THE MATCH VS. DC UNITED: I am going to let this go, again. Let us try and temper our judgment and work towards lifting the Metros morale towards making the playoff season, where the slate will be wiped clean.

YIRB,
MetroNation

If you do not believe me, I just got off the phone with Nick Sackewicz, who personally called me to share this great news!!! The announcement will be made in the presence of dignitaries from MLS, AEG, the City of Harrison, and the State of New Jersey, on the front steps of the Harrison Public Library at 1:30 PM TOMORROW, AUG 4. For directions, visit:

http://www.harrisonpubliclibrary.org/faq.htm

Drop what you are doing during this time (if you must, quit your job), and bring your red and black colors (do not forget your MetroNation gear), your friends, and your digital cameras and camcorders to record this milestone in MetroStars history! Besides, we need to post it on the MetroNation web site!! This news could not have been timelier. Hopefully, this will elevate the spirit of the players, coaches, staff, and importantly, METRONATION, right through to the 2005 MLS Cup!!!!

On another note, I would like to briefly take this opportunity to commend Nick and his associates for keeping their unwavering eye on the prize; not being daunted by the years of negotiations and set-backs, and even criticisms, whether deserved or not. The point is, they got it done, and we should be proud and thankful for that. As a result, we will soon have a place the MetroStars can TRULY call home!!!

Goodbye, Giants Stadium . . . we will NOT miss you!

YIRB,
MetroNation

METRONATION MAN OF THE DECADE: NICK SACKIEWICZ!!!!!!!!!!!

PS
Let us hope our Boys of Summer tranquilize the Rhinos tonight!