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 its inaugural season, 1996. From 1996 to 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, a suburb directly across the Passaic River from Newark, in 2007.

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 five goals in a game against the Dallas Burn.

Some of the high-profile international players to play for the Metros were Roberto Donadoni, Branco, Lothar Matthäus, Adolfo Valencia, and Youri Djorkaeff. 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, 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.

Honors

Minor Titles

• La Manga Cup 1 (2004)
• Division Champions 1 (2000)

Current roster

Notable players

• Antony de Avila (1996-1997)
• Youri Djorkaeff (2005-)
• Roberto Donadoni (1996-1997)
• Eddie Gaven (2003-)
• Amado Guevara (2003-)
• Tim Howard (1998-2003)
• Tony Meola (1996-1998)
• Clint Mathis (2000-2003)
• Lothar Matthäus (2000)
• Mike Petke (1998-2002)
• Eddie Pope (2003-2004)
• Tab Ramos (1996-2002)
• Giovanni Savarese (1996-1998)
• Adolfo Valencia (2000-2001)

Head coaches

• Eddie Firmani (1996)
• Carlos Queiróz (1996)
• Carlos Alberto Parreira (1997)
• Alfonso Mondelo (1998)
• Bora Milutinovic (1998-1999)
• Octavio Zambrano (2000-2002)
• Bob Bradley (2003-)

General managers

• Charlie Stillitano (1996-1999)
• Nick Sakiewicz (2000-)

Average attendance

• 1996: 23,898
• 1997: 16,899
• 1998: 16,520
• 1999: 14,706
• 2000: 17,621
• 2001: 20,806
• 2002: 18,148
• 2003: 15,822 (4th)
• 2004: 17,194
• All-Time: 17,957

External links

• Official website
• MetroFanatic: News, Fans, History, Analysis
  • MetroFanatic's year-by-year history of the team
• Empire Supporters Club
• MetroNation fan club