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Former MLS star Giovanni Savarese to be Ironmen honorary captain

December 18, 2007 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
New Jersey Ironmen News Release


NEWARK, NJ- The New Jersey Ironmen (5-3) announced today that Giovanni Savarese, the second all-time leading goal scorer for the New York/ New Jersey MetroStars (now Red Bull New York) will be honored as team captain at the ceremonial first kick this Friday at Prudential Center. The Ironmen will host the fellow expansion Orlando Sharks (0-11) with kickoff slated for 8:00 p.m.

"So many of the stars of our game have played in the metropolitan area over the years," Ironmen General Manager and Vice President of Business Operations Tony Novo commented. "What we are attempting to do is unify the entire soccer community through the platform of the New Jersey Ironmen."

The Ironmen have already hosted soccer legend Pelé and former U.S. national team midfielder Tab Ramos as honorary captains earlier this season.

Savarese played collegiate soccer at Long Island University. The Caracas, Venezuela, native then played with current Ironmen goalkeeper Tony Meola on a Long Island Rough Rider team that won the 1995 United States International Soccer League championship. The duo also played together with the MetroStars in the inaugural 1996 season of Major League Soccer, and Savarese netted the first eight goals in club history (not including a Tampa Bay Mutiny own goal). He tallied 44 goals and 101 points in only three years with the MetroStars.

The fan favorite Savarese was traded to the New England Revolution in 1999, scoring ten goals for his new team. He then signed with the Italian club Perugia in 2000 and finished out that season with Serie C1 club Viterbese. He returned to the MLS to play with the San Jose Earthquakes that year before signing with Welsh club Swansea City, knocking in 13 goals for the England Football League Second Division team.

On the international stage, Savarese scored ten goals in 30 caps for the Venezuelan national team. The former assistant coach at St. John's University also served as the Director of Youth Soccer and Player Development with Red Bull New York for two years.

The Ironmen are currently offering a "We Win, You Win" Holiday Pack. Included in this ticket package, fans will receive discounted tickets to two games, free parking and an Ironmen soccer ball (while supplies last). The entire package starts at $35, and it is available now by calling the New Jersey Ironmen ticket line at 1-800-IRONMEN. Call us today to catch the Xtreme Xcitement of Ironmen indoor soccer!

Fans that are unable to attend this Friday's match up are encouraged to listen to Patric Santo Pietro on our webcast courtesy of Teamline. The link can be accessed via the team website at www.njironmen.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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