After failing to snap their nine-game winless streak against Chicago last weekend, the MetroStars travel to Foxboro’s Gillette Stadium this evening (5 p.m., ESPN2) to face another Eastern Conference rival who’s given them fits: the New England Revolution.
The MetroStars are winless in their last eight league and MLS Cup tilts against New England. Rev forward Pat Noonan scored nine of his dozen goals as a rookie last year against them, and they come into play with the league’s worst defense. Still, there is some cause for optimism.
The Metros (2-1-3, nine points) are still tied for second in the East, and just a point behind Chicago. And while the Revs – fresh off a win over Sporting Lisbon – have given the Metros fits with Noonan and their wing play, the Metros’ leaky defense is rapidly being patched up.
“Defensively, we haven’t played well against them, and [Noonan] scored basically all his goals against us. We didn’t close him down enough, gave him too many chances,” said defender Craig Ziadie. “[But] we played more together in the back in the last game, and the midfield worked really hard, closed down space.”
After coughing up eight goals in two games, they held Chicago to just one tally last weekend. Ziadie and defender Jeff Parke should both be back from injury tonight, with 21-year-old Costa Rican Olympian Pablo Brenes expected to arrive next week and bolster the left side.
Expect the club to announce a one-year deal Monday with a three-year option. Disappointing Joey DiGiamarino is to be cut, with Tim Regan likely to see his time cut on the left side.
“He’s a young, left-footed player. He’s got some talent for sure,” said coach Bob Bradley. “Exactly where he fits in all this is to be determined.”
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Former Metro goalkeeper Tim Howard may start today for Manchester United, which plays Millwall for its 11th FA Cup.
Forward Cornell Glen will skip tomorrow’s Trinidad & Tobago tilt against Iraq to play with Metros tonight. Then he’ll depart for T & T’s game against Scotland next Sunday, missing that day’s game against Kansas City.