Guevara is MLS' best
BY MICHAEL LEWIS
SPECIAL TO THE NEWS
ANAHEIM - Perhaps Amado Guevara, who became the first MetroStar to earn the Golden Ball as MLS Most Valuable Player, can turn some of that gold into real money.
Guevara said all the right things yesterday. He didn't bring up the possibility of a raise from his estimated $200,000 annual contract to the league maximum of $270,000.
Rather, he stressed extending his stay, which was quite surprising considering Guevara said two months ago that he wanted out due to inferior officiating.
"Probably I'll reach an agreement with the front office," he said at the ESPNZone at Disneyland. "I just want to be on the team again - for a long time. Four, five years, whatever they can give me."
Guevara won despite fading the last two months. He beat out D.C. United forward and ex-MetroStar Jaime Moreno, who will play in Sunday's MLS Cup, and Colorado goalkeeper Joe Cannon.
"I am very proud of this award," said the midfielder, whose 30 points (10 goals, 10 assists) tied for the MLS scoring lead. "I didn't expect it. It was all hard work to get here. I paid my dues. I still have a lot to contribute."
While Guevara wants to continue with the MetroStars, he said the team needs more veterans.
"There has to be some changes," he said. "In Honduras there is a saying, 'Young players win games, but can't win championships.'"
Guevara will be named to the MLS Best XI tomorrow before he captains Honduras against Costa Rica in a must-win World Cup qualifier on Wednesday. If Honduras wins, it advances to next year's CONCACAF final round.
Originally published on November 12, 2004
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