Tab Ramos To Serve As Ironmen Honorary Captain This Sunday
December 6, 2007 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
New Jersey Ironmen News Release
NEWARK, NJ-The New Jersey Ironmen (4-1) are adding more prominence to their inaugural season guest list this Sunday. The club announced today that one game after soccer legend Pelé served as honorary captain that former U.S. national team midfielder Tab Ramos will be honored in the same capacity. Ramos will perform the ceremonious first kick at the 4:00 p.m. Sunday kickoff at Prudential Center when the Ironmen host the Milwaukee Wave (4-2).
"It was a great honor to play with Tab, and it has been an even bigger honor to be his friend," Ironmen goalkeeper Tony Meola, a former teammate of Ramos with the U.S. national team and New York/ New Jersey MetroStars (Major League Soccer), said. "I am excited that he has an interest in what we are doing here. To have him part of what we're doing is an indication that this organization is making significant strides towards being successful."
Ramos, born Ricardo Ramos Ricciardi Tabares in Montevideo, Uruguay, is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, and he was the first player to ever sign a deal with Major League Soccer (MLS). Ramos, son of a father who played professional soccer in Uruguay, moved to the United States at the age of 11-years-old. He attended Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark where he was a two-time captain and 1983 Parade Magazine National High School Player of the Year. He also led his team to the New Jersey state championship during his senior season, scoring 57 goals. He still holds the state records in career goals (161). During his high school years, he also played for the local youth club Thistle FC.
Ramos was drafted by the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League in 1984, but he decided to attend North Carolina State when the league folded. He was named to the All-ACC team all four years, and he received All-America accolades three times. He left NC State in 1988 to join the U.S. Olympic team before returning later that year. He again left in 1989 to play with the U.S. national team. He did eventually acquire his degree in 2001.
Ramos earned his first cap with the national team on January 10, 1988, against Guatemala. Following the 1990 FIFA World Cup, he was named the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year. He eventually finished his national team career with 81 caps and eight goals. From 1990-95, he enjoyed an international career in Spain and was named CONCACAF Player of the Year in 1994. He played in the MLS for the MetroStars from the inaugural 1996 season until 2002, being named an MLS All-Star on three occasions.
Before the Ironmen host the Wave on Sunday at 4:00 p.m., the team will travel to Florida for a Saturday match up with the Orlando Sharks. New Jersey defeated the Orlando Sharks earlier this season, 7-4, while the Wave are the only team to hand the Ironmen a loss this season. Milwaukee edged out a tight 10-8 double overtime victory over New Jersey amid the second week of their schedule.
Ticket lines are open now individual and group ticket packages. Catch the Xtreme Xcitement of New Jersey Ironmen soccer! Call 1-800-IRONMEN today to reserve your seats!
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from December 6, 2007
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- Ignition To Hold Soccer Clinic To Benefit Local Woman - Detroit Ignition
- Tab Ramos To Serve As Ironmen Honorary Captain This Sunday - New Jersey Ironmen
- KiXX vs. Milwaukee Live on Fox Soccer Channel, December 7 - Philadelphia KiXX
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