Prediction
Here is Soccer America Associate Editor Poul SwainÆs prediction for the game on May 24: Kansas City 1 MetroStars 2
Preview
(all times ET) Thursday, May 24 (8:30 p.m.) – MetroStars at Kansas City Wizards (MSG) Season series: MetroStars lead 1-0-0 (MetroStars lead 4-1 in aggregate goals);
All-time regular season series: Kansas City leads 8-6-1 (Kansas City leads 24-18 in aggregate goals).
Leading scorers: MetroStars: F Clint Mathis (7g, 4a =18pts); Kansas City: M/F Chris Brown, M Matt McKeon (3g, 1a = 7pts)
Did you know? Mike Petke will break the club record for games played on Thursday night when he makes his 92nd appearance in a MetroStars uniform. Petke, 25, is currently tied with Miles Joseph (91).
Key players out: MetroStars: D Daniel Hernandez (IR – fractured knee cap-R), M Billy Walsh (IR – foot stress fracture-R), F Adolfo Valencia (IR – slight tear, medial meniscus-R); Kansas City: M Jose Burciaga (Under-20 national team), F Gary Glasgow (Trinidad and Tobago national team).
Notes: Heading into their final regular season meeting of the season, these two MLS Cup hopefuls are coming off disappointing 2-0 shutout losses … As occurred in the first meeting against the MetroStars on May 2 at Giants Stadium, the Wizards also held the bulk of possession against the Chicago Fire last weekend but could not capitalize … That match marked the return of 2000 BIC Defender of the Year Peter Vermes and the three-man back line which was the pillar of the MLS Cup championship run last year … Roy Lassiter is expected to make his return to the starting lineup against the Metros and is seeking the elusive two points which will give him 200 for his career … Expected to make his debut for Kansas City is Jamaican forward Onandi Lowe, who was signed on May 23 … After three consecutive road losses, the Wizards return home to Arrowhead where they have not lost a match since August 18, 2000 … The MetroStars have lost six of eight games played in team history at Arrowhead Stadium … The league-leading MetroStars are coming off a 2-0 loss at the hands of the San Jose Earthquakes, the team’s first blanking of the season in the opening match of a four-game road trip … MLS’ leading scorer Clint Mathis returns to the stadium where his assist led to a Josh Wolff goal and 1-0 victory over Costa Rica in the last World Cup qualifier April 25 … The MetroStars will fly back to Giants Stadium to take on UEFA Champions’ League finalists and German Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich on Saturday in a prestigious international friendly.
KEY MATCHUP: MetroStars F Clint Mathis vs. Kansas City M Matt McKeon: Kansas City could not pick up Mathis in the first game and the Georgia native scorched the Wizards for a hat trick (with his left foot, right foot and header) … When Gansler’s team loses possession, a defensive midfielder (McKeon) may have to be the one who tracks Mathis before he can get the ball and use his speed go at defenders.
SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Rich Grady; Assistant Referees: Jon Wilson (SAR), Jose Andrade (JAR)
