The title of this final post of the season (not ever) h0nors the final Metro goal this season, scored by Youri Djorkaeff in the 59th minute. The only consolation we have is that DC United is going down in flames against the Fire (no pun; currently 4-0). However, before I embellish on the subject of our beloved MetroStars, I need to get something off my chest . . .

To the cowardly socioeconomic reject from the DC area that actually wasted his/her useless time to send anonymous “hate mail” through our web site after the Oct 1 match . . . . How does it feel now? Unfortunately, genetic apocalypses like you make it hard for the CLASSY supporters that DC United DOES have. If you do not understand the intent of this excerpt, try investing in your own personal development, instead of worrying so much about others. You need more help than the rest . . .

OK, I feel better, with the exception of the irritating commentary by the ever pompous and egomaniacal Eric “Mullet Boy” Wynalda still resonating from my television. Would somebody at ESPN please terminate this audiovisual wastehead?! He would make a better living running a gelato stand in leotards on the boardwalk in South Beach. 1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . 4 . . .5 . . . WHEW!

It is a shame we could not get by New England, because I felt even more confident about beating Chicago. Please do not misinterpret this as me or us not believing we could bump the Revolution from the playoff race. After scoring first, and going two up on aggregate, I thought we were in good shape. The roadtrip to Chicago would have been a bit of a challenge for many of us, though, but NOT impossible.

Speaking of challenges, we have had our share: from starting our new fan club, to figuring out how to secure our banner during MetroGate so as not to threaten the lives of others in Giants Stadium, to trying to feed 200+ hungry (and eventually angry) Brits, to raising money for charity, to supporting USSF Passback, to book drives, to abandoning all tenets of healthy hygiene and living for our MetroStars! Not only was our inaugural season special and perilous, in hindsight, IT WAS HECK OF LOT OF FUN!!

As for our Boys in Red and Black, I really do not think anybody can truly fault them. Yeah, shoulda, coulda, woulda . . . Everyone likes a scapegoat. In my humble “Chiefly” opinion, this season was an emotional roller-coaster for the team and the fan, and it was reflected in their performance and our outcries. Although, recalling the most recent performances, I saw a team that believed in each other and really gave it their all, and those are the images that should fuel our enthusiasm and anticipation in the off-season. It would be nice to head to Chicago, but frankly, I am sure some of us are looking forward to the comfort of our own homes during the colder winter months, instead of standing in the rain and snow like absolute morons!

We know why we do it, and we know for whom we do it. I hope our Pride and Passion are contagious, because I honestly believe it WILL get better and sweeter, especially when we start playing in Harrison! PICTURE THIS: Harrison 2007 . . . Metros advance to the MLS Cup 2007, to be played in . . . HARRISON! How cool would that be? Maybe there is a higher power orchestrating all of this? More likely, it is the post-season delirium that is affecting my better senses.

Some may label me/us pathetically optimistic, but if your fan base does not care, why should the players? Yes, they get paid . . . yadda . . . yadda . . . We really believe we are in this TOGETHER, which is why it is so “painful” sometimes. Besides, who would turn down the opportunity to gather around a hot grill for good grub and drink with friends, whom I now call “family,” after just one season? PULEEEZE!

As I packed (rather jammed) the last of the MetroNation accessories, gear, and assorted paraphernalia (sorry AM) into whatever space is left in my home, I got to thinking . . . THANK YOU to all fans, guests, and players for making the 2005 season a memorable one in more ways than you could possibly imagine! Special nods go out to ESC and FRI, our “Band of Brothers!”

WE WILL BE BACK IN 2006, AND WE HOPE YOU WILL, TOO! Keep checking our site for updates as Opening Day 2006 approaches!

METRONATION PEOPLE OF THE MATCH: All Metro players, fans, coaches, and front-office staff, with special recognition of Youri Djorkaeff

YIRB,
MetroNation

While many Red and Black supporters joke about this historical playoff campaign by the MetroStars, including the Midnight Riders, who visited Giants Stadium last night brandishing a sign with their own interpretation; “MetroStars Playoff Failure.” We beg to differ!! The so-called “Fort” was figuratively burning down to the ground when MetroStars Playoff Ferocity made its debut! Frankly, it was hard to believe the anything could catch fire last night, literally or figuratively speaking, after the very cool temperatures and flash flooding soaked all who were playing or watching. The conditions were reminiscent of Opening Day (April) or August 14, without the temporary match suspension due to weather. Incidentally, we MetroGated in it (like April and August 14) and the Metros have NEVER lost under such conditions, and this night was no exception!!

Many who braved the harsh conditions could not believe that it was the very same Metros from earlier this season, battling for (and often winning) every 50/50 ball, bodying-up on their opponents like the best in the NHL, keeping the Revs on their heels from the opening kickoff whistle, and . . . this is the clincher . . . WITHOUT ONE SUBSTITUTION. It was almost as if MoJo was sending a message to his buddy, Nicol, saying, “Hey, Stevie! I can beat you with one hand tied behind my back!” Indeed, we admire the “piss-and-vinegar” attitude, with which MoJo seemingly has inspired the Metros! We are confident it will hold water on the backend of this home-and-away series!

The inaugural match was a knock-down, drag-out war, with bodies flying and sliding all over the FieldTurf at Giants Stadium. It all culminated in the match’s only goal (and it was indeed a cracker) by “El Lobo!” Rather than recap the match in any more detail, we acknowledge that the work is only HALF done, which is why I want to use this post to inform you of our ROADTRIP PLANS to Foxboro, MA, on Saturday, Oct 29. After last night’s brilliant performance by the Metros, you really ought to get your butt up to Gillette Stadium. After all, the weather could not be any WORSE . . . The roadtrip wizards of ESC are spearheading this effort, so any questions over an above the information I provide below, should be directed to ESC (empiresc@verizon.net), and not me, please.

$65/person; includes round-trip bus (plus driver gratuity) and ticket. Food and beverages are permitted. SEE YOU THERE!!

> Depart Manhattan from 31st and 8th 1:30 PM

> Depart Giants Stadium from racetrack Lot 7A 2:00 PM

> Arrive Gillette Stadium 7:00 PM

> Metros v Revs 8:00 PM

> Depart Gillette Stadium 10:15 PM

> Arrive Giants Stadium Lot 7A 1:30 AM (10/30)

> Arrive Manhattan at 34th and 8th 2:00 AM (10/30)

This price ONLY applies to people who are going on the bus AND buying a ticket. If you are NOT going on the bus, but want to be in our section, you must call 1-877-GET-REVS (438-7387), and ask for Mike Dressler. Explain to him that you are with the ESC/MetroNation group in Section 117. Make your own arrangements for purchasing and picking up your tickets with Mike. We will be located in the first 10 rows of Section 117.

** THIS ROADTRIP IS OPEN TO ANYONE WISHING TO PARTICIPATE, REGARDLESS OF YOUR AFFILIATION WITH METRONATION OR ESC. **

For people who are going on the bus AND buying a ticket, please provide CASH BEFORE getting on the bus, or PAYPAL transfer to escgear@yahoo.com. Any remaining questions may be sent via e-mail here?

METRONATION MAN OF THE MATCH: Amado Guevara

YIRB,
MetroNation

PS
After doing a little research, there is uncanny similarity between the Revs’ 2002 regular season to this year’s Metros season. Take it for what it is worth, but we think the comparison is a sign of GREAT things to come from our Boys, with a slight “edit” in the ultimate outcome

OCTOBER 15 >> Wizards/Hoops match:

Unfortunately, because we could not earn three points from Chicago nearly 2 weeks ago now, we were not in the driver’s seat, even after defeating DC United. Consequently, the Wizards/Hoops match was critical to the MetroStars’ playoff berth hopes, and deserving of its own dedicated BRIEF write-up. Ironically, the events that transpired in Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, TX, last night were eerily reminiscent of the extra-time collapse of the Metros’ defense against Chicago! As it turns out, that one point that we eked out in Chicago is EVER SO IMPORTANT!

There is not much I will say about the KC/Dallas match, other than “THANK, GOD!!” Transfixed in front of my personal computer, as many of us likely were, I listened intently to the play-by-play. To those who listened with me, you will know what I mean when I say that that particular commentator was AGONIZING!! UGH! With each crescendo, our collective pulse quickened, especially if KC was on the attack, which they were often. By the sounds of it, and the post-match write-up, you might believe that KC should have won. Josh Wolff even got the MLS Man of the Match honors!? However, Dallas DID have something to play for, and in the end, they secured the #2 playoff rank.

In retrospect, we should all be grateful that we did not SEE everything that transpired on a television broadcast. Emotionally, we were reacting as if the Metros were playing KC. If that were the case, it would have been a welcomed opportunity for the Metros to gain the win-loss advantage and spare us this nearly unbearable anxiety, as the regular season comes to a close. Many of us may not have survived the intermittent mental trauma, thus, precluding us from participating in the festivities for the last regular-season match of this season at Tab Ramos Indoor Sports Complex!! Regardless, the KC/Dallas stalemate now creates an incredible atmosphere for this final MetroNation viewing party, where the METROS CONTROL THEIR DESTINY, AGAIN, ONE LAST TIME!!

OCTOBER 16 >> Metros/Chivas USA match:

What can you say, when you endure a traumatic (for Metros fans) first half, and bask in the glory of a magnificent (MoJo’s favorite adjective) second half?! Our Boys in Red and Black DID IT. They blanked Chivas USA on THEIR turf; earned three points to leapfrog the KC Wizards by two points; and the MetroStars have set the stage for a home-and-home series against New England, which starts at OUR home (at least for now, until Harrison 2007!), Giant’s Stadium, on October 22 (7:00 PM kickoff). -GASP-

Once again, thanks to Bob Vazquez and the staff and Tab Ramos’ Sports Center, we endured the tense first half, which saw Chivas USA dictating the tempo and nearly scoring several times! We worked off a little anxiety at halftime playing 3v3 downstairs in the roller-hockey rink. Surprisingly, the FieldTurf side was occupied by birthday partygoers who were playing . . . BASEBALL????!!!! UGGGHHHH!!!!! Blasphemers!!!!

Enter the 46th minute, after MoJo must have helped our Boys work off a little anxiety themselves, the MetroStars were ablaze, hitting the post three times (you MUST see Youri’s post-shot . . . GEEZ! We are STILL scratching our heads about this one!), but connecting for two: 1) CONGRATS to Mike Bradley for shaking the monkeys off his back with the game-winner in the 49th minute off a sweet Lisi serve; and 2) “El Lobo” steps up his game from the first half and gracefully lofts the insurance goal over the stranded Chivas USA keeper’s head in the 94th minute!!! That goal was for you, Eric Wynalda, you pompous jaw-flapper! At least the MoJo and the Boys showed a lot more class before, during, and after the match than you did during your pathetically biased commentary.

This next paragraph is devoted to Tony “Stony” Meola . . . With the exception of perhaps logging his first assist against himself in the opening minutes of the match, and relying on the tremendous hustle of Carlos Mendes to clear a rolling ball after a missed slide tackle literally off the goal line about a minute later, he was impenetrable! He played like a man possessed! Simply, he was a stone wall!! It was easily his best performance between the posts all year, even better than his stellar performance in DC about 2 weeks ago. If anybody still doubts why we brought him in, watch your TIVO, and then tell us Tony does not deserve to be a Metro???! You have got to be kidding me! He was just magic, earning not only Honda MVP honors, but also the MLS Player of the Week!! By the way, some of you out there in Metro-Land owe him an apology . . . you know who you are! Tony, thanks for bringing your A-game! Now, just do not forget it for the remaining matches this season!!

Speaking of which, it will not get any easier for our “Boys of Summer” . . . uh . . . make that, Fall. We open up the home-and-home series against the Revolution, who have garnered the top spot in the East, and almost took the Supporters’ Shield. So, make sure you make your presence known with us in Citizen’s Corner (Section 115) INSIDE Giant’s Stadium on Saturday, October 22 (7:00 PM kickoff). If you are worried about the cooler weather, then order a MetroNation scarf!! We will be ready to do battle with the Revolution and their Midnight Riders!! Follow the Metros throughout the playoff season!!

Lastly, to those who said, “See you next season.”, when leaving the stands on October 1. It is much easier to give up hope, but it takes more character to keep hope alive, especially for those who need the inspiration. like our beloved Metros!! Let us not forget that in addition to having fun, we are here for the MetroStars!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES, WE CAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

METRONATION MEN OF THE MATCH: MoJo and the Boys, with a very special nod to “Stony” Meola!

PS
What says this American game? Look and Listen . . .

PPS
Not to put the cart before the horse, but do not miss the MetroNation 2006 “Early-Bird” season-ticket specials!!

As I fight off the urge to drop dead from fatigue, I am determined to post this update in a timely manner, regardless of the Columbus Day holiday, which I hope you ALL enjoy! To do so, I will have to pass on posting an update to Sights and Sounds, which will be done later in the week, I hope!

JM, AM, and I made a rendezvous with ESC outside RFK Stadium. Enduring the blustery, rainy weather, and being surrounded by DC United fans and hooligans (there IS a difference) . . . we made our presence felt inside RFK in Section 328!! Similarly, the MetroStars imposed their will on DC United on this night . . . REVENGE IS OURS!! The Boys played magnificently, and all of us in Section 328 did not stop from the opening whistle to the final whistle . . . uh . . . except to “wet our whistles” at halftime. The rest of you, who decided to stay home (tsk . . . tsk . . .tsk) had to wait until 10:30 PM to watch it on MSG. We were already celebrating by then!!! Can you believe ice hockey STILL trumps soccer????!! Hmmmfff!!!!

On a rain-soaked . . . uh . . . baseball field, SGR opened the scoring about a third of the way into the first half. However, Jaime “Sandbagger” Moreno stole some thunder with a beautifully placed set piece in extra time of the first half. Both teams retreated to the locker rooms level at one each. However, in a nail-biting second half, it was our beloved Youri Djorkaeff who sealed the coffin for DC United by one-timing a Seth Stammler cross low, hard, and to the left of Nicole Rimando (no typo). Speaking of rare appearances, Jason Hernandez did VERY WELL on his second start for the Metros top team this year (sorry buddy, could not SEE you against Chicago). We hope to see more!! It was especially uplifting to know that we put the hammer down on their shot at the Supporter’s Shield.

After the match, Section 328 endured the razzing of disgruntled DC United fans and flying pretzel morsels (chewed and not chewed, I think). I know . . . classy residents, eh? Surprisingly, some were being sportsmanlike about it, shaking our hands on the way out . . . very classy and cool! However, a couple of genetic defects thought it would be cool to take off with the MetroNation and ESC banners???!!! Takes chutzpa and A LOT of stupidity. I guess President Bush’s “Leave No Child Behind” initiative excludes the mental midgets in the DC area? Either that, or a Petri dish experiment went awry at Georgetown Medical School that the Pentagon is keeping on the “Q-C.” During the tussle with the rejects from the AA’s Crystal City Chapter, we lost one of our “pin-up” soccer balls . . . sorry, SGR, it had your number on it . . . Regardless, it can easily be replaced. Besides, they can keep it as a souvenir of THEIR loss on a miserable evening (especially for them) on an even more miserable diamond/pitch. I have a weird feeling that there may be MORE spoiling to do!!

Cheers to the Boys who acknowledged our support at the end of the match, as we walked out proudly together, said our good-byes, and now look forward to next week’s match against Chivas USA. This final regular-season match has now become the penultimate match of the ENTIRE regular season. Why the “penultimate” match? We are now tied on points with KC (the Wizards having the goal-differential advantage), it comes down to us getting more points than they do on Oct 16. We are in the passenger seat trying to climb over the center console into the driver’s seat in one of those European “SmartCars.” You get the picture . . . Unfortunately, for the Metros, the recent draw with the Fire could potentially haunt us . . . let’s hope not!!

So, come join MetroNation, the MetroStars, the MetroGirls, the MetroMobile, and anything else Metro at “Socc-Toberfest” in Wayne, NJ. Let’s put out as much transcontinental Metro vibe as we can!! Details can be found under Citizen’s Calendar on this web site!! After the conclusion of the Metros/Chivas USA match, which kicks off at 4:00 PM EST on Sunday, we will know where we stand (in fourth or fifth place), as we will already know the outcome of FC Dallas/Wizards match on Saturday evening (kickoff 8:30 PM EST). ANYTHING BUT 3 points for KC will allow the Metros some breathing room! Furthermore, there is no indication that this 8:30 PM match will be televised, so I hope you have a PC with broadband Internet access available!!

The one “good” thing is that thanks to the MFO and their “Hispanic Heritage Day” a while back when the Chivas USA visited the MetroStars, our Boys already know what the crowd is going to be like in Carson, CA . . . In other soccer news, our Boys in Red, White, and Blue were dealt just their second loss in WCQ by Costa Rica. They now look to wrap up the qualifying stage in Foxboro vs. Panama (which should be VERY interesting, especially after stealing the Gold Cup from them on PKs) and begin preparing for Germany 2006!!

METRONATION MAN OF THE MATCH: Youri Djorkaeff

YIRB,
MetroNation

PS
Nice suit, Mo!!!

PPS
It is refreshing to see the Boys going to CA with the right attitude!

Yeah! EXACTLY!!! I will say there is NOTHING worse than only LISTENING to the game, especially this one! Oh, man! I thought we had 3 points after a spectacular first half. CRIPES! The crowd (Section 8 and Silver Shield) was even taken out of the match in the beginning of the second half. Unfortunately, we could not hold for a full 90. The worst is that I could not see what kind of suit Mo was wearing! DAMMIT!!

However, the late arrival of the Metros for the second half must have been an omen, because as far as we could tell (all huddled around my PC listening to the audio feed off of MLSnet.com) it was all Chicago in the second half. While the Metros had the advantage of the box score statistics at the half, especially with Gaven’s two tallies, Chicago had TEN corner kicks and FIFTEEN shots on goal to the Metros’ ONE and NINE, respectively, at full-time? Surprisingly, Chicago did NOT score on ANY of those corner attempts.

I hardly heard Guevara’s or Djorkaeff’s name mentioned during the second half though, when they rolled off the commentator’s tongue every other syllable in the first half. Eventually, both were substituted in regulation for Lisi (79′) and Galvan Rey (88′). I am not sure what the substitution strategy was and no mention was made of the formation, but it seemed like Mo was putting 10 guys behind the ball, which quickly became just 9 when Razove was sent off in the 80th minute BEFORE play was restarted . . . WHY, ANTE?! Chicago used up all three of their subs by the 73 minute!? An all-Chicago second half saw them pelting our defense, which held up well. Unfortunately, Chicago was able to steal a goal back in the 90th minute, but the dagger was thrusted in the 93rd, when Chicago pulled level and secured their playoff berth. Yet the SECOND team to do so against the Metros . . . UGH! Incidentally, they lost one of their own in the books with a send-off in the 90th minute. Essentially, it was 10 v 10 at the beginning of FIVE minutes of extra time . . . Hey, referee!! Is your watch working?

Regardless, we DID manage to get a point on the road, and coming off the embarrassment of last weekend and the “jolt” of a change in leadership, I commend the team and Mo Johnston (debuting as head coach) for weathering the storm and earning a point. They could have come away with none, but two critical clearances by Tim Regan (one of which was off the goal line) kept the Metros in it. We knew it would not be easy as teams are now battling to secure playoff berths, like Chicago successfully did. We have our work cut out for us at RFK, and WE WILL BE THERE! I hate to say this, but let us hope KC loses to the Revs, which is quite possible, although KC has the edge over the Revs head-to-head this season.

I would strongly urge ENCOURAGING e-mails to be sent to Alexi Lalas who can pass on the goodwill and good vibes to the boys, especially if cannot make the trip to RFK! Seriously, DO IT!! THEY NEED US MORE THAN EVER NOW!!!

I will wrap this up now, because there is only so much I can react to when I am only listening to the play-by-play. . . with BAD ears mind you! Must be the airhorns behind my head in Citizen’s Corner . . . or the drums? Since there are no video highlights, the post-match quotes must suffice. Anyway, we are not out of the soup, nor our we out, yet. There is more work to do. If you call yourself a TRUE fan, you know your obligation to the team. CARRY THEM!! Enough with the venomous gibberish of insensitive ignoramuses (it is NOT ignorami . . . I checked in the dictionary)!!! When all else fails, our Boys in Red and Black should be able to find comfort in knowing that their most passionate fans stand behind them . . . NO MATTER WHAT!!

METRONATION MAN OF THE MATCH: Tim Regan

YIRB,
MNCO