Honduran midfielder Amado Guevara feels right at home in Toronto

Published Wednesday April 30th, 2008

TORONTO - Three games into his career with Toronto FC and Honduran Amado Guevara is already feeling right at home.

The former MLS MVP has two goals and an assist, helping Toronto (3-2-0) to a franchise-record three wins in a row heading into Thursday's game against the visiting New York Red Bulls (7 p.m. ET). The attacking midfielder played for New York, then known as the MetroStars, from 2003 through 2006.

Given New York (2-1-1) plays on artificial turf, Guevara is comfortable on the BMO Field FieldTurf. He also likes what he sees off it.

"As for the city, I'm very very happy," he said on a conference call through an interpreter. "I've received great treatment by the staff, my teammates and my coaches. They welcomed me in. And the fans, who really support this team and really give the team a home advantage. I really feel like I've been here longer than I have."

Guevara, known as El Lobo or The Wolf, has been a handful off the field in the past, but is drawing rave reviews from his Toronto coach and teammates.

"Since he's been here, he's been all smiles every single day," coach John Carver said after Guevara scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Kansas City on Saturday. "So I'm still waiting to see this animal in him. I haven't seen it yet, I haven't seen it honestly.

"And the way I want the game to be played, he suits my style. It's all about managing people. I think that's more important than anything else. So far, I think we're managing him OK. If he's happy, I'm happy, the team's happy, we're winning. Which is great."

Mo Johnston, Toronto's director of soccer and former coach, was both an assistant and head coach in New York so knew all about Guevara, named league MVP in 2004. That included fining and sitting him down in 2006 after Guevara went straight to the locker-room after being substituted and eventually ended in the stands with his wife.

The two have apparently made up with Guevara saying Johnston was "a large reason" why he was in Toronto.

After starting 100 regular-season games for New York, the Honduran turned out for just four for Chivas USA in 2007 when he bumped heads with coach Preki and was suspended by the league for arguing with an official. He eventually returned to Honduras to play for Motagua while Toronto looked to complete a trade for him.

"Definitely I don't like to talk about the past but yes, I've learned," said Guevara, who turns 32 on Friday.

"It's funny because after the game this weekend the media asked me why I looked so happy. And now it's because I enjoy doing my work. And I enjoy doing it responsibly . . . Now I feel comfortable. Sure there are things that I would like to erase but what counts is what I do moving forward."

Carver has Guevara playing in the hole behind the striker, with Danny Dichio up front against Kansas City. The Honduran is the team's schemer, taking the ball from the defence and holding midfielders and triggering the attack, either through Dichio or wingers Laurent Robert and Rohan Ricketts.

"It works very well for us because Amado's a very clever player and he picks up positions where defenders can't really pick him up, in the gap between the midfield and the defenders," said midfielder Carl Robinson.

The Honduran can make goals and score them (34 goals and 37 assists in 110 regular-season MLS games), boasting an eye for goal and powerful shot.

In addition to Guevara's vision, his ability to hold the ball is appreciated by teammates trying to get the ball out from defence.

"He's a great player and he's a pleasure to play with," said Toronto defender/captain Jim Brennan.

Guevara also drew a rave review from former New York teammate Jozy Altidore.

"It was nothing but enjoyment," the 18-year-old striker said of his two years with Guevara. "He's a superb player, a great person and I definitely miss him as a teammate."

The 5-11, 155-pound Guevera has won 105 caps and scored 22 goals for Honduras, captaining the Central American team.

Notes - Guevara's curled free kick against Kansas City was runner-up for MLS goal of the week ... Altidore has accounted for two of New York's five goals this season ... New York's Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel is questionable after missing the last game, a 2-0 win over the expansion San Jose Earthquakes, with a hamstring strain ... Toronto has not given up a goal in a club-record 212 minutes.

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