MLS Red Bull New York

MetroStars Weekly Report

Published on April 1, 2002 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Red Bull New York News Release


METROSTARS SIGN DARIN LEWIS AS TEAM'S THIRD SR. INTERNATIONAL: MetroStars President/General Manager Nick Sakiewicz announced today that the team has signed forward Darin Lewis, a native of Trinidad who led the University of Connecticut to the 2000 NCAA championship and played last season for the A-League's Portland Timbers, as their third senior international player.

"Darin is a tremendous offensive talent who helps provide us with yet one more dangerous option in our attack, and gives us more depth on our front line than we've ever had in our team's history," said Sakiewicz. "And most importantly, he's a finisher."

The 25-year-old Lewis, a native of Tunapuna, Trinidad, was named Most Outstanding Offensive Player at the 2000 NCAA College Cup after leading Connecticut to the national title, scoring the second goal in their decisive 2-0 championship win over Creighton. Lewis also led the Huskies to the NCAA semifinals as a junior, one year after transferring in from national junior college powerhouse Mercer County (NJ) College, whom he had led to two straight national JUCO final fours in 1997 and 1998.

In two years at Connecticut, Lewis tallied 60 total points (21 goals, 18 assists) in 49 games.

Lewis brings the number of senior internationals on the MetroStars roster to the MLS maximum of three, as he joins Rodrigo Faria (Brazil) and Diego Serna (Colombia).

Lewis has not yet been assigned a jersey number.

HELLO, COLUMBUS (AGAIN): After taking the Easter weekend off from MLS competition, the MetroStars return to action this Saturday, April 6 against the Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG TV, WADO 1280 AM Radio).

Both teams met last Wednesday, a 1-0 Crew victory at Giants Stadium, in the second game of the season for both teams. The MetroStars played without forward/midfielder Clint Mathis, who was in Germany with the U.S. National Team (two goals in a 4-2 loss at Rostock), while Columbus played without forward Brian McBride.

Both Mathis and goalkeeper Tim Howard are currently with the national team in Denver, CO for this Wednesday's friendly against Mexico (10 p.m. ET, Telemundo), though both players will rejoin the MetroStars for Saturday's game against the Crew.

Last Wedneday's win gave the Crew a 13-8 all-time edge in head-to-head matchups against the MetroStars. McBride remains the Crew's all-time leading scorer against the MetroStars with 17 points (6G, 5A) in 16 games, while Tab Ramos, who made his 2002 season debut last week against the Crew, leads the MetroStars all-time with five points (1G, 3A) in 10 games against Columbus.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE: The MetroStars will train on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. each day at their practice facility at Kean University-East Campus in Union, NJ. The time of Friday's practice session is still to be determined, but the team will leave from Kean for Newark Airport at 3:45 p.m. for their 5:25 p.m. flight to Columbus.

Media interested in attending Friday's training session, or in interviewing players on Friday, should make arrangements in advance with MetroStars Communications.

INJURY REPORT:

Injured List: D/M Marcelo Balboa, bone bruise, right knee (out)
Injured List: F Martin Klinger, lumbar spondylolysis, back (out)

MLS ON TV: Following are this week's MLS games on national television, as well as televised MetroStars action on MSG Network:

Thursday, April 4 Metro Soccer Report MSG Network (6:30 p.m. ET)
Friday, April 5 Metro Soccer Report MSG Network; 10:30 a.m. ET (R ), 5 p.m. ET (R )
Saturday, April 6 Metro Soccer Report MSG Nework; 9:30 a.m. ET (R )
Saturday, April 6 MetroStars at Columbus MSG Network, WADO 1280 AM (7:30 p.m. ET)
Saturday, April 6 New England at San Jose espn2 (3 p.m. ET)

This week's installment of the Metro Soccer Report on MSG, hosted by Steve Cangialosi and Shep Messing, includes a feature on Clint Mathis, as well as a look back at the MetroStars' first two games against New England and Columbus.

MEXICO TO FACE BULGARIA AT GIANTS STADIUM ON APRIL 17: MetroStars President/General Manager Nick Sakiewicz announced today that the MetroStars will host the national teams of World Cup-bound Mexico and Bulgaria in an international friendly at Giants Stadium on Wednesday, April 17 at 9 p.m. ET.

"The MetroStars are proud to once again host the best that international soccer has to offer," said MetroStars President/General Manager Nick Sakiewicz. "We have made it a priority for our fans to bring top-flight games to them, and this match, along with last week's doubleheader (featuring the MetroStars and Columbus, along with Ecuador and Bulgaria) as well as the U.S.-Jamaica match in May, helps us continue to fulfill that pledge."

Tickets for the international will go on sale through all Ticketmaster locations in the tri-state area beginning today. Fans can also call the MetroStars at 1-888-4Metrotix to purchase group tickets or a special two-game package created specifically for the Mexican soccer community.

The special two-game package includes the Mexico vs. Bulgaria game as well as the MetroStars' Cinco De Mayo celebration match on Saturday, May 4th, when they host the Dallas Burn at 8 p.m. ET. Prices for the package start at $33. Individual tickets are priced at $25, $35, $45, and $55, and group tickets are available from $20-$55 per person.

MetroMember season ticket holders, who can purchase Mexico-Bulgaria tickets at a special reduced price, must claim their seat location to this game by calling their respective account managers by April 5. After that date, those seat locations will be released for sale to the public.

Mexico will be making their 14th appearance in this summer's World Cup in Japan/South Korea. Anschutz Entertainment Group, owner/operator of the MetroStars, is marketing Mexico's U.S. tour prior to the World Cup.

Bulgaria will be making their second playing appearance in New York/New Jersey in less than a month, following their March 27 international friendly against Ecuador at Giants Stadium.

METROSTARS NATIONAL ANTHEM AUDITIONS TO BE HELD THIS THURSDAY: Wannabe singers will once again get a rare opportunity to go from singing in the shower to singing in front of thousands of people at Giants Stadium when the MetroStars hold their second annual open auditions for national anthem singers this Thursday, April 4, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Macy's Court at Westfield Shoppingtown Garden State Plaza in Paramus, NJ.

Three talented performers will be selected from the auditions. The first-place winner will perform the national anthem prior to the U.S.- Jamaica international friendly at Giants Stadium on May 16, while two other winners will perform at a MetroStars regular season game.

The auditions are open to all age groups and all types of performers. Musical groups and instrumental performances are also welcome.

To audition, contestants can register online at MetroStars.com, by phone by calling 201-583-7038, or by mailing your information to the attention of MetroStars Auditions, One Harmon Plaza, 3rd Floor, Secaucus, NJ, 07094. Walk-ups are welcome from 4:00 -6:00 p.m. ET on April 4 at Macy's Court in the shopping center where the auditions will take place.

Based on the three-hour audition window, space will be extremely limited, so fans are urged to register early to ensure their chance of performing.

MetroStars players will be among the judges, and will also be available to sign autographs.

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 1, 2002


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