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Giovanni Savarese Rejoins Rough Riders

July 2, 2004 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Long Island Rough Riders News Release


(Plainview, N.Y., July 2, 2004) – The Long Island Rough Riders team officials are proud to announce the signing of forward Giovanni Savarese.

After playing from 1990 – 1994 for Long Island University, Venezuelan Giovanni Savarese joined the Rough Riders in their inaugural season in 1994. He helped win the National Championship in 1995 scoring 25 goals. He was named USISL MVP and USISL Championship MVP, scoring the winning goal with only 6 second remaining. He still holds the Rough Riders' record for most goals in the regular season (23) and assists in one season (11), both in 1995.

He went on to play for the MetroStars from 1996 until 1998, where he became the all-time leading goal scorer (41). From there he went on to play for two more Major League Soccer teams, the New England Revolution and San Jose Earthquakes. He finished his MLS career with 51 goals in five seasons in 2000, and looked for new challenges overseas.

His first stop after leaving the MLS was the British island. He played in 2000/01 for Swansea City F.C. and in 2001/02 for the 1st Division Millwall F.C. Being fascinated by different cultures and always accompanied by his family, he went further south to the Italian peninsula playing for Sassari Torres SpA. in the 2003/04 season.

Savarese, who speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian, also earned 30 caps for the Venezuelan National Team, scoring a total of 10 goals for his country since 1996.

Jim Kilmeade commented the fourth major signing in three weeks. "We've added a world-class defender and two outstanding midfielders, and it was the logical next step to add this brilliant goal scorer. Gio is one of the biggest names in Rough Riders history. We couldn't be more proud to have him back in the team."

Ronan Wiseman is excited about having the striker back as well. "He is potentially a huge acquisition for the organization. I am sure he will do great."

Giovanni Savarese's home debut will be on Wednesday July 7th. Game time at Mitchel Athletic Complex is 12noon. For further information please contact Media Relations Manager Silke Repky at (516)671-1585 or at srepky@liroughriders.com.

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