MetroStars forward Sergio Galvan Rey was such a prodigious scorer in Colombia, he earned the nickname “King of Goals” before finding his transition to America and the MLS more difficult than he expected.
The first-place Metros (2-1-4) go into tonight’s game against Kansas City (7:30, MSG, WADO) with a league-high 14 goals, none by Rey. He has just four shots – one on goal – in 171 minutes, not the kind of output expected from a man making at or near league max of $280,000.
He’s seemed invisible while struggling to link up with his teammates, in stark contrast to fellow newcomers Fabian Taylor and Cornell Glen, who’ve combined for seven goals and supplanted him as the starting forwards. His subtle style hasn’t translated to the athletic MLS.
“The way he plays involves linking with others, timing,” said coach Bob Bradley. “That’ll always take more time than somebody like Fabian or Cornell. They have the ability to do more on their own; it’s normal that a player like Sergio takes more time.”
His struggles have been compounded by off-field chaos. He’s still waiting to get his Social Security card and find a home; he and his wife and four-month old daughter have been living at a hotel for the past 1½ months.
“They affect me very much because we’re not really comfortable the way we are. It’s hard to live the way we’re living now,” said Rey, dismissing rumors that he’s unhappy with being transferred from Once Colombia’s Caldas, which just reached the Copa Libertadores semis.
“I’m not unhappy. It’s just small details. I’ll get over it.”
The Colombian scored in Wednesday’s 3-1 friendly win over Boavista, with John Wolyniec scoring the other two goals.
With Glen away with the Trinidad & Tobagan National Team, Galvan Rey and/or Wolyniec could start tonight.
“It’s been unbelievable. It has [affected him],” Bradley said. “But he’s been great, has a great attitude and works hard every day. We’re close, Wednesday was a plus. It’s helped him.”
Wolyniec hasn’t started an MLS game since scoring twice in the first two games of the year; the M’Stars won both and haven’t won since. But he started and scored twice in Wednesday’s friendly, with U.S. coach Bruce Arena watching.
“Wednesday helped my confidence that I can go out and have an impact for 90 minutes,” Wolyniec said. “You never know where opportunity comes from. If it comes from a Wednesday night game in Elizabeth, that’s where it comes from.”