'THE METROSTARS DON'T WANT HIM' Agent says team wants to trade Guevara
According to the midfielder's agent, Patrick McCabe, the Metros aren't about to welcome back Amado Guevara with open arms; they want to trade the Honduran international, he says. Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images
By Michael Lewis
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor
The agent for MetroStars star midfielder Amado Guevara says that the MLS club wants to trade the Honduran international and is offering him around the league.
"The MetroStars don't want him," Patrick McCabe said on Monday night. "They're trying to trade him."
Speaking from Boston, McCabe indicated that he wouldn't be surprised if a deal was done this week in light of the traditional rash of trades that are made before, during and after the SuperDraft.
"Obviously, people will try to get a deal done this week," he said.
Guevara and Metros president and GM Alexi Lalas have been immersed in an international war orfwords for the past week.
Lalas criticized Guevara for playing with his old Honduran team, Motagua without permission. Guevara countered, saying he didn't want to play with the Metros if Lalas was in charge. And Lalas said Sunday that he would accommodate any player who doesn't want to be a Metro.
"I think this has been coming for some time," McCabe said. "The comments from Alexi set him off.
"It's the right time to do it. Mo (Johnston, the coach) wants new faces. Amado wants to be where he is wanted."
McCabe said that there might be some bad blood in the past between Lalas and Guevara "that might preclude his career as a MetroStar. I don't think Amado appreciates Alexi's management style."
Lalas fired Guevara's good friend, team manager Orlando Conguta, during the summer, and in October, axed coach Bob Bradley, who recruited him to the team before the 2003 season.
"The comments may have re-opened an old wound," McCabe said.
The Metros have had talks with at least two clubs about Guevara during the off-season -- with F.C. Dallas for star midfielder Ronnie O'Brien and the Columbus Crew for New Rochelle native and forward Edson Buddle. Dallas isn't interested in moving O'Brien, sources said.
"Amado at this stage, isn't picky where he goes," McCabe said. "I think he wants to go to a team that appreciates him.
"I think there might be interest from his old coach."
That would be Bradley, who currently directs Chivas USA.
It is unclear what Chivas, which is loaded with Hispanic players, could offer the Metros, although the expansion team has the first pick in the draft and a player allocation.
That might not be enough, but in the MLS strange things happen in and around draft day.
Michael Lewis can be reached at SoccerWriter516@aol.com. He will only answer e-mails and letters that are signed or have names.
