New York (2-1-1) at Toronto (3-2-0), 3:30 p.m. Newly acquired Toronto FC midfielder Amado Guevara, who is coming off a two-goal performance to lead his team to it's third consecutive victory a week ago, is really looking forward to facing one of his former Major League Soccer clubs when his new team hosts the New York Red Bulls at BMO Field on Thursday night.

"(New York) was a team where I already played in this league and I have great respect for the team and my former teammates," the sometimes volatile Guevara said in a conference call on Tuesday. "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."

The Honduran midfielder played four seasons for the New York franchise from '03-'06, tallying 32 goals and 36 assists as well as earning a league MVP award in his tenure.

He was traded to Chivas USA after the '06 season, and after a falling out with Goats coach Preki, Guevara returned to Honduras. At the beginning of this month he was brought back to MLS by former New York coach and current Toronto FC manager Mo Johnston to play for the league's only Canadian club as part of a revamped midfield that includes former French international Laurent Robert and Englishman Rohan Ricketts on the wings.

"He knows me and I know him and he gives me great confidence and he is a large reason why I am here in Toronto," Guevara said of being reunited with Johnston.

Since his return to MLS, Guevara has two goals and an assist in three games, which included wins at Los Angeles and vs. Real Salt Lake and Kansas City.

"I'm enjoying my return to the league and I know this league treats me very well," Guevara said. "I'm calm. I don't feel it as revenge, but rather a return. I thank god for the opportunity. I continue to work hard and hope to continue doing well.

"I really feel like I have been here longer than I have."

The New York game on Thursday night figures to be Guevara's biggest test to date, as could be going head-to-head with New York's Claudio Reyna, who has been playing well in recent games.

"A healthy Claudio is a very influential player," New York coach Juan Carlos Osorio said after his team beat the San Jose Earthquakes, 2-0, at Giants Stadium on Sunday. "He showed today he can play as a playmaker or as a second midfielder, central midfielder and both positions he played very well. He competed very well and I think he did a lot of good for the final score."

The Red Bulls attack could also get a boost with the possible return of star striker Juan Pablo Angel, who missed most of the last three games with a hamstring injury. Also, winger Dane Richards and winger/defender Hunter Freeman could make their '08 debuts after suffering injuries in the preseason. The team's official injury report lists Angel as questionable, Richards as probable and doesn't name Freeman.

One name on the injury report is left back Kevin Goldthwaite, who has been one of New York's strongest defenders this season. He left Sunday's win in the 75th minute with a back strain and could miss Thursday's match as a result.

Regardless of who plays, striker Jozy Altidore, who has goals in the past two league fixtures for the Red Bulls, knows that his team will have to be on top of its game to top TFC in Toronto, where the rabid fan base gives the club arguably the best home field advantage in the league.

"Toronto is very fortunate to have fans like that," Altidore said. "They come out in numbers for each home game that they play. It's definitely nice for them to have that kind of support around them. I think it's good that they have that and hopefully it grows around the league."

And TFC is hoping its success on the field continues to mirror its success of it this season.

"It is very motivated to have three victories in a row but we are also aware that the season is only beginning," Guevara said. "We are five weeks in and there is a long road ahead of us. At the moment we are enjoying every game and thanking god for those wins. But we win and then have to prepare for our next game. We are solid right now. We are feeling more confident but we have to continue working."