MLS Red Bull New York

MetroStars Pre-Game Report

Published on April 11, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Red Bull New York News Release


MetroStars History In Openers: The MetroStars are 3-4 all-time in season openers... They are 2-0 at Giants Stadium and 1-4 on the road... In overall home openers, the team is 5-2 all-time, which includes a 3-1 win last season against New England Revolution on March 23.

Second Latest Season Opener For MetroStars: The season-opener against the Crew will be the second latest opener date in team history. The latest opener for the team came in the inaugural game on April 13, 1996, when they lost 2-1 at Los Angeles. The earliest all-time for the team was when they faced the Miami Fusion at Lockhart Stadium on March 20, 1999.

Down on the Field: The MetroStars will be the first team to play a competitive game on the new FieldTurf surface at Giants Stadium. The field replaces the grass tray system, which was in place since the 2000 season. See attached info sheet on FieldTurf and www.fieldturf.com .

Game Change: The MetroStars match at the Colorado Rapids scheduled for Tuesday, April 29 has been moved to Saturday, July 26 at 9:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on MSG and WAD0 1280 AM.

MetroStars Defeat Rochester 2-0: Rookie midfielder Ricardo Clark and recently acquired defender Chris Leitch each scored a goal as the MetroStars defeated the A-League's Rochester Raging Rhinos, 2-0, in an exhibition played on a blustery afternoon last Sunday at Giants Stadium. The win concluded the team's 2003 preseason schedule. The MetroStars open their 2003 MLS campaign this upcoming Saturday.

Eight Return: The team returns eight players from the 2002 team to Bradley's refurbished 2003 squad. Joe Addo, Paul Grafer, Tim Howard, Steve Jolley, Mark Lisi, Clint Mathis, Jeff Moore, and Craig Ziadie.

Bradley's Search: MetroStars new Head Coach Bob Bradley underwent an extensive search to assemble the 2003 team. The Montclair native looked at 80 players, since being appointed to the position on October 22, 2002. The players came from nations all over the world including France, Scotland, England, Cayman Islands, Cameroon, Ireland, Argentina, Spain, Korea, Australia, South Africa, Sweden, and Jamaica.

Mathis vs. Columbus: MetroStars midfielder/forward Clint Mathis has scored one goal against the Crew in his career, but has yet to score against the rival for the MetroStars.

Moreno Scores...Often: MetroStars forward Jaime Moreno has scored 10 goals and six assists for 26 points in 17 career games against the Crew. Moreno's production against Columbus is the second-highest in his career. As a member of DC United, the Bolivian international pummeled the MetroStars with 17 goals and seven assists for 41 points in 22 games. The production is the most by any single player against the Metros.

Metro Debut Scorers: The MetroStars have seen 20 players score a goal or record an assist in their MetroStars debut. Nine players scored a goal in their debuts (Michael Butler, Alex Comas, Antoney DeAvila, Mamadou Diallo, Jim Rooney, Giovanni Savarese, Mike Sorber, Chris Unger, and John Wolyniec). See attached list for complete totals.

MetroStars to Honor Cisco da Rosa: The local soccer community lost a great friend when Newark resident Cisco da Rosa passed away early Thursday morning as a result of a massive heart attack. Cisco, 53, was a prominent community leader and businessman with significant community ties to his first love - soccer - where he helped run the Sport Clube Portugues soccer program in the ironbound section of Newark.

A tireless worker, Cisco was a visible leader in the community, particularly in helping raise the visibility of the MetroStars within the closed-knit Portuguese community or putting together a local group of players to represent the community and Sport Clube Portugues. MetroStars President/General Manager Nick Sakiewicz and defender Joe Addo joined Cisco and other representatives from Sport Clube Portugues just a week ago at the club's headquarters to announce their 2003 youth squads to the local Portuguese press. In honor of Cisco's memory, the MetroStars will observe a moment of silence prior to kick off against Columbus.

Metros Sign Amado Guevara: The MetroStars acquired Honduran National Team midfielder Amado Guevara (pronounced uh-ma-DO ge-VA-ra) as an allocation and signed him to a multi-year contract. The all-time leader in caps with 76 for the Honduran National Team, Guevara will be joining the Metros after his third stint with CD Motagua of the Honduran first division. Guevara becomes the MetroStars second Senior International (Jaime Moreno) of the three designated to each club in MLS. Guevara will likely join the team next Thursday and will be eligible for the MetroStars match on Saturday, April 19 against the Los Angeles Galaxy at Giants Stadium, starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Metros Acquire John Wolyniec: The MetroStars announced the acquisition of forward John Wolyniec (pronounced wall-EE-neck) in a supplemental draft conducted Thursday night through MLS Headquarters in New York. Wolyniec played the 2002 season with the Milwaukee Rampage of the A-League and led the team to the 2002 A-League championship with a 2-1 overtime win over the Richmond Kickers. The Staten Island native scored a goal and registered the game-winning assist earning MVP honors in the match.

First Postgame Party To Take Place at Redd's: The first post-game party of 2003 will take place immediately following our home opener this Saturday night at Redd's. Redd's is located on Washington Avenue, corner of Route 503N & Rt. 120 Paterson Plank Road in Carlstadt, New Jersey. For more information or specific directions, please visit .

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 11, 2003


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