The MetroStars
are a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise that plays at the
Giants Stadium of the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East
Rutherford, New Jersey. The team colors are red, black, and
gold; the home jerseys are red and black vertical stripes.
The MetroStars have been in the league since 1996. From
1996-1997 they were known as the New York/New Jersey
MetroStars. They are planning to move to a new soccer-specific
stadium in Harrison, New Jersey in 2006.
The team has underachieved since its inception, its best
result in MLS play being reaching the MLS Cup semifinals in
2000. In the US Open Cup, the MetroStars reached three
semifinals (1997, 1998, 2000), before finally getting to
their first final in 2003. On August 26, 2000, the Metros'
Clint Mathis set an MLS record by scoring 5 goals in a game
against the Dallas Burn. You can read a year-by-year review
of Metro history at MetroFanatic.com (http://www.metrofanatic.com/mf/team/history.jsp).
Some of the high-profile international players to play for
the Metros were Roberto Donadoni, Branco, Lothar Matthäus,
and Adolfo Valencia. The team has had its share of famous
coaches as well, including Carlos Queiroz, Carlos Alberto
Parreira, and Bora Milutinovic. American stars Tony Meola,
Tab Ramos, Tim Howard, Clint Mathis, and Eddie Pope have all
played in the red and black. Currently, the youngster Eddie
Gaven and the Honduran star Amado Guevara are two of the
brightest lights on the team, with head coach Bob Bradley
steering the Metros into the correct direction. |