April 30, 2008 MLS Toronto FC Amado Guevara's greatness (from Toronto FC Media Relations)
04/30/2008 4:50PM
Guevara's greatness takes center stage
Hondurian scores first brace in TFC history as team enjoys hot winning streak
By Dylan Butler / MLSnet.com Staff
Scoring the first brace in Toronto FC history, including one of his patented free kicks, the newest TFC player looked a lot like the old Amado Guevara, the one who was named the MVP of Major League Soccer in 2004. But could this be the kinder, gentler Guevara?
"I'm enjoying my return to the league and I know this league treats me very well," Guevara said through a translator. "I'm calm. I don't see it as revenge, but rather a return. I thank God for the opportunity, I continue to work hard and I hope to continue doing well."
Guevara's brilliance on the field, as well as his penchant for getting into hot water both on and off the field, is stuff of MLS lore.
The Honduran international has been fined for criticizing the league's officials, got into a rift with Alexi Lalas when he was the MetroStars general manager and drew Mo Johnston's ire when he watched the remainder of a game at Giants Stadium with his wife in the stands rather than on the bench with teammates.
Guevara was traded to Chivas USA for the club's designated player allocation after the 2006 season and was set for a reunion with Bob Bradley, who brought him into Major League Soccer when he was a MetroStars coach.
But Bradley left to become the U.S. national team coach and Guevara quickly found himself out of favor with his replacement, Preki.
"I have a vision of where the club is going and [Guevara's] not part of it," Preki told MLSnet.com at the time.
Guevara's stay in Los Angeles was brief and, after blocking a trade to Toronto, he returned to Honduras to play for CD Motagua.
But that is all in the past, Guevara told reporters in a conference call previewing Toronto FC's ESPN MLS Primetime Thursday match against Eastern Conference rival New York Thursday night at BMO Field (7 p.m. ET).
"It's funny because after the game this past weekend, the media asked me why I looked so happy," Guevara said. "Now it's because I enjoy doing my work and I enjoy doing it responsibly. Sure there are things I would like to erase, but what counts is what I do moving forward."
When Guevara made a triumphant return to Giants Stadium last June, leading Honduras past Panama and Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, Guevara said he'd love to return to MLS, but not to play for Preki at Chivas.
Guevara hasn't warmed to Chivas, preferring not to talk about that former club as he prepares to face another on Thursday night, one for which he scored 32 goals and added 36 assists.
"It's very special, it was four years that I spent there. It was a team I already played for in this league and I have great respect for the team and my former teammates," Guevara said about the Red Bulls. "It's a weird feeling because it's the first time I ever faced a team that I truly respect and enjoyed being part of."
Guevara said being reunited with Johnston, who has moved upstairs as TFC's director of soccer and leaves the coaching to John Carver, has been amicable.
"He knows me and I know him and he gives me great confidence," Guevara said. "He's a large reason why I'm here in Toronto."
And that comfort and confidence is a big reason why Guevara's return to MLS has been a seamless one. It is no coincidence that Toronto's best three-game spell is with Guevara orchestrating TFC's attack. Since his return to MLS, Guevara has two goals and the Reds have outscored opponents, 6-2.
"It's very motivating to have three (consecutive) victories under our belt, but we're also very aware that the season is only beginning," Guevara said. "We're five weekends in and there's a lot of road ahead of us. At the moment we're enjoying every game, thanking God for those wins ... but we have to continue working."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
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