2007 - US National Team

2007.06.23 Giants Stadium...US Men's U20 v Chile and US Women's v Brazil....

In an exciting match-up the US Men's U20 National tea faced Chile's U20 team...With goals from Freddy Adu and Robbie Rogers the US would defeat Chile 2-1 in their final preparation game before heading to Canada for the FIFA U-20 World Cup....New Jersey's favorite Jozy Altidore assisted on Adu's goal.

The US Women scored 58 seconds into the game, on a goal from Kristine Lilly. The US would defeat the Brazilians 2-0 in their first meeting since the 2004 Olympic Gold Medal game. Abby Wambach would score the second goal for the US in the physical match.

2004 - Metrostars v LA Galaxy

2004.08.04 MetroStars v LA Galaxy, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

The MetroStars faced the LA Galaxy in a physical match that produced 3 yellow cards and 1 red. Amado Guevara scored first for the Metros on a penalty kick, his 5th in 5 attempts this season.

Eddie Gaven would increase the score on a brilliant sidefooted shot after he slipped past the defense to pick up a through ball from Mike Magee. 3 minutes later John Wolyniec would hit a volley in misair on a pass from Cornell Glenn.

The Metros maintained their hold on first place with the 3-0 victory...

2004 - MetroStars v SJ Earthquakes

2004.07.10 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

On goals by John Wolyniec and Amado Guevara, the MetroStars ended a 3-game losing streak, defating the San Jose earthquake 2-0.

Wolyniec's goal came  off a perfect through-ball from Craig Ziadi, for Wolyniec's 4th goal of the season.  Guevara scored on a penalty kick in the second half stoppage time...

Michael Bradley

MetroStars (MLS 2004-2005)

Heerenveen (Eredivisie 2006-2008)

Borussia (Bundesliga 2008-2011)

Aston Villa (Premier League 2011)

Chievo Verona (Serie A 2011)

United States National Team (2006- )

2010 FIFA World Cup

2004 - Metrostars v NE Revolution

2004.09.11 MetroStars v N E Revolution, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

The MetroStars earned their firs victory over the NE revolution in 11 matches. The Revs took a 2-0 lead within 15 minutes of the start of the game. The Metros scored in the 30th minute on a Mike Magee penalty kick, when Ricardo Clark was pulled down by Joe Franchino.

Just before the half ended Magee chipped the ball into the box, where Eddie Gaven blasted the ball into the net to tie the match.

In te 69th minute Cornell Glenn ran onto a John Wolyniec through ball beating an off-balanced Matt Reis, the Revolution keeper for the game winning goal...

2004 - Freddy Adu 1st goal

2011.08.12...It was announced today that Freddy Adu would be coming back to the MLS and the Philadelphia Union...Once hailed as the boy who would be king, Freddy Adu has wandered the European futbol wasteland traveling from Portugal where he played for Benefica, in what appeared to be the acceptance of the American soccer player, to being loaned out to AS Monaco (France), Belenenses (Portugal), Aris (Greece), Caykur Rizespor (Turkey)....Freddy Adu is coming home...

Adu started his storied career with DC United (2004-2006) before moving on to Real Salt Lake (2007). Played for the United States National Teams (U17, U20, U23 and Men's National)...

We all got caught up in what Adu represented. An American player (of Gahnaian descent) who at age 14, would compete in the MLS and show the world that we too could produce world-class players...Adu even had the endorsement of Pele...

After a tough road, Adu comes to Philadelphia with renewed energy and to demonstrate that he is still capable of playing the game at a professional level, at the tender age of 22, an age when many players across the world are still hoping to get their chance...I often wondered if we did Adu a disservice by expecting too much of a young boy, to carry the weight of American soccer on his shoulders...When Adu left for Europe the weight was shifted to Jozy Altidore, and will be shifted to another young player, and another...we all get caught up in the dream, because it is fun to dream, as if we are a part of their lives and careers...

Good Luck Freddy, welcome back...

2004.04.17 MetroStars v DC United, Giants Stadium

14 year-old Freddy Adu scored his first career MLS goal, making him the youngest player to score in an MLS game by almost 2-full years...Adu was born in Ghana and came to the United States at age 8. At age 14 he became one of the youngest players to sign a professional contract in the US, becoming the youngest player to appear in the MLS, April 3, 2004 when DC United faced the San Jose Earthquakes. Adu stayed with DC United until 2006, when he was traded to Real Salt Lake for the 2007 season. Adu signed with Benfica, making his debut with the team in a UEFA Champions League qualifying match.

Adu has been a member of the US National Team since 2006...

The MetroStars would win the game 3-2 behind 2 goals by Fabian Taylor, as the MetroStars would go on to score 3 goals within a 13 minute time period in the second half.

2006 - FC Barcelona Tour

Barcelona...More Than A Club...Valdes, Marquez, Ronaldinho, Puyol, Iniesta...

postcard distributed outside of Giants Stadium during the Red Bull v Barcelona game...The reverse of the postcard features a photo of Ronaldinho and the advertisement...More than a club. More than a postcard. Take this postcard into Niketown New York or Soccer Sport Supply and redeem it for one Limited Edition FC Barcelona gym sack...

2006.08.12 Giants Stadium....FC Barcelona Tour v Red Bull NY...It was clear from the number of jersey sporting the burgundy and royal blue of Barca, that the sold-out crowd were here to see Ronaldinho work his magic.

For the first 20 minutes, so were the Red Bulls, who were star struck and didn't come to life until the 21st minute..Ronaldinho would score the first goal for Barca on a penalty kick, easily sending his shot past Red Bull keeper Tony Meola. Youri Djorkaeff would score the equalizer for the Red Bull before the half.

In the second half Barca would take a commanding lead on goals from Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Javier Saviola for the 4-1 victory...

Admittedly even though we are Red Bull fans, we too came to see Ronaldinho and he did not disappoint the crowd.

2004 - ManU v AC milan

2004.07.31 Giants stadium...Manchester United v AC Milan...

Our first opportunity to two international powerhouse teams...Andy Shevchenko deflected a free kick in the 90th minute as AC Milan to tie the game at 1-1. AC Milan went on to defeat ManU, 9-8 in penalty kicks...The final penalty kick was taken by former Metrostar and ManU goalkeeper Tim Howard, whose shot would hit off the let post...

Paul Scholes gave ManU the lead in the 33rd minute. Alessandro Nesta tried to knock down David Bellion's cross into the penalty area, but side-footed the ball into the middle, where Scholes ran onto the ball and blasted the shot past Milan keeper Dida.

The game was exciting, the crowd was unruly before the game even started, a great experience at international soccer in New Jersey...

2002 - Metrostars v KC Wizards

2002.05.25 Metrostars v KC Wizards..Lockdown, What it takes to be a forwards worst nightmare...When defending is an art, MLS' elite defenders explain how playing in the back involves a lot more than just being big and strong... Ted Chronopoulos, Pablo Mastroeni, Eddie Pope, Jeff Agoos...

Metrostars 1 - KC Wizards 1

KC opened the scoring in the 10th minute when midfielder Chris Klein muscled a low shot past Tim Howard at the left post. The play began with a long pass from defender Nick Garcia that found teammate Preki approximately 25 yards from from the goal on the right flank. Preki eluded Metrostars defender Jeff Moore before hitting the streaking Klein as he cut toward goal...

Working up the center of the field Mamadou Diallo scored in the 41st minute. Holding defender Garcia off with his back, Diallo spun to receive a feed from Tab Ramos. Diallo left-footed the ball past KC keeper Oshoniyi into the right corner of the net from 10 yards out...

2002 Metrostars v LA Galaxy

2002.06.15 Metrostars v LA Galaxy...Freekick game program featuring the MLS Strike Force - Demarcus Beasley, Josh Wolff, Brian McBride, Landon Donovan, Clint Mathis...5 American strikers with the same mission: to showcase the attacking abilities and flair of US soccer players.

Metrostars 5 - Galaxy 0

Mamadou Diallo left his mark on the Galaxy scoring 4 of the Metrostars 5 goals. Diallo struck in the 27th minute on an assist from Andy Williams and Brad Davis. Diallo scored again in the 36th minute unassisted. In the 58th minute Diallo scored his 3rd goal assisted by Ross Paule and Andy Williams. Brad Davis found the net in the 60th minute assisted by Tab Ramos and Andy Williams. In stoppage time Daillo took a penalty kick for his 4th goal of the game.

Tim Howard posted his first shutout of the season and his career 9th shutout.

2004 - US Women's National Team

2004.11.03 Us Women's National Team v. Denmark...

In another storybook ending for the US team, Mia Hamm scored her 158th international career goal in the 91st minute as the US National team tied Denmark 1-1, sending 18,885 fans in Giants Stadium into euphoria.

Denmark, the 9th ranked team in the world, would put the US behind early in the game. Merete Pederson beat Brandi Chastain to the ball on the right flank and calmly hit a chip over the on-rushing Briana Scurry into the empty net in the 8th minute.

The US never let down and the crowd stayed behind their team the whole time. When Hamm scored the stadium erupted into screams, from the mostly young female fans...

2007 - NJ Ironmen

2007.12.01 Prudential Center, Newark, NJ

Inaugural game of the New Jersey Ironmen v Detroit Ignition...

The local draw to the game was the addition of Tony Meola, in goal for the Ironmen. Daniel Antoniuk connect for a hat-trick in the inaugural game victory for the Ironmen over the Ignition 8-6.

Pele was named honorary captain for the opening game...the game program had this, written by John Archibald..barely 30 years after playing that last game at the Meadowlands, Pele has returned to the Garden State. The man known as the greatest soccer legend of all-time will soon carry us into the next generation of New Jersey sports, just as he was carried around Giants Stadium that rainy day in 1977. while the rooftop of Prudential Center may prevent the sky from dropping tears of joy upon our heads, there will undoubtedly be a need for tissues when the legend of Pele is in our presence. the roof may block the night sky, but that's alright. The brightest star in the sky will be right in front of our eyes.

The field was packed with children lined up around the center circle. Pele walked onto the field into the center of the circle for the first kick and presentations. then the children, who never saw Pele play converged on the man. He touched them on the head, shook their hands and smiled. Drawn like a magnet the children would not leave the field. Announcement were made and the mass of children moved with Pele like a game of magnet ball.

When the field finally cleared, and Pele had departed, we waited for the game to start. The players did not take the field. We waited, an announcement was made that the players will soon take the field and start the game. We later learned that the players were still in the locker room getting autographs and shaking hands with Pele, meeting their hero just as the children on the field had done...

2009 - Sky Blue FC - WPS Inaugural Game

April 5, 2009 Inaugural game Sky Blue Fc v LA Sol, TD Bank Ballpark, Somerset, NJ...In it's first two home games of the inaugural season of the Women's Professional Soccer League, Sky Blue FC played their home games at TD Bank Ballpark, home of the Somerset Patriots baseball team.

After the WUSA folded, a reorganization committee was formed to help found a new and stronger league...the Women's Professional Soccer league was formed with teams in New Jersey, Los Angeles, Washington, Boston, Chicago, Dallas and St. Louis.

In 2008 the WPS was announced and the league logo introduced, featuring the silhouette of Mia Hamm (in a much copied look from Major League Baseball).

Sky Blue would lose their first game to the Sol 2-0, as the Brazilian sensation Marta connected for both goals. It was strange to watch a soccer game in a baseball park, the dimensions of the field made the seating difficult. The atmosphere of the crowd however made the game enjoyable. At the end of the game, fans rushed to the railings to meet the players, many of whom were very accommodating in greeting their fans...

More than 6,000 fans were in the sell out crowd, Gov Jon Corzine welcomed the team and Julie Foudy and her daughter provided the ceremonial first kick.

May 31, 2009 first home game at Yurcak Field, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Making Yurcak Field their home pitch, facing the Boston Breakers...After playing their first two home games at a baseball field, Sky blue moved to Yurcak Field. In their first game Sky Blue would defeat the Boston Breakers 2-1 before 3,493 fans. Goals for Sky Blue came from Natasha Kai and Kacey White.

Sky Blue would finish in 4th place and earn a place in the playoffs, which they would go on to win becoming the first champions of the WPS.

2010 - Red Bull NY v Juventus

Old warehouse/parking garage across from the stadium

Red Bull mobile sound system

Juventus

2010.05.23 Red Bull NY v Juventus, Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ...

The Red Bull started their second team against Juventus, coming off 3-straight regular season loses and 2 US Open Cup wins by the reserve players...

Behind the talents of Jeremy Hall and Conor Chin, who each scored a goal and rookie Irving Garcia, getting his first start provided the 18,735 at Red Bull Arena a 3-1 victory, in the friendly...Juan Pablo Angle scored the 3rd goal for the Red Bull in the 75th minute, while Juventus' Amauri scored in the 90th minute...

Juventus started the game with Del Piero, Trezeguet, Diego, Padoin, Marrone, Candreva, Grosso, Brandao, Bernardini and Zebina with Manniger in goal...
Our first visit to the new stadium...

2006 - Red Bull NY Inaugural Game

2006.04.08 Giants Stadium....Inaugural game

After purchasing the Metrostars, Red Bull decided to re-brand the team changing the name, colors and logo, although the majority of the players would remain the same. Red Bull also owns FC Red Bull Salzberg, Austrian Bundesliga; Red Bull Brasil, Serie A2; RB Leipzig, Regionalliga Nord (Germany).

The pre-match ceremony featured a tribute to the great's of New York and New Jersey's soccer past. In attendance were Cosmos' Pele, Giorgio Chinaglia, Shep Messing, Andranik Eskandarian, Carlos Alberto, Franz Beckenbauer, Werner Roth as well as past members of the Metrostars..the game ball was delivered by the Red Bull skydiving team. The half-time show featured Wyclef Jean and Shakira before a freexing crowd of 35,793. Shikara removed her winter coat before she performed!

Facing the NE Revolution, the Red Bull battled to a scoreless draw, as Taylor Twellmen of the Revolution missed 2 golden opportunities, while Amadao Guevara had his chances turned away by Rev keeper Matt Reis and Edson Buddle missed the open net on a wide shot.

2005 - England v Columbia

2005.05.31 Giants Stadium....Double header - Metrostars v Chicago Fire, England v Columbia...

In an effort to being more fans to the Merostars games, double headers would be scheduled, where the second game featured a European or South American team playing a friendly...most fans who came to see the friendly would tailgate in the parking lot during the Metrostars game and enter the stadium right before the friendly would start...

This time the opening game was England v Columbia...England would defeat the Columbian's 3-2, with Michael Owen scoring the hat-trick, with David Beckham getting 2 assists. England controlled the game despite the close score.

In the second game, in which most of the crowd left except for a few English and Columbian fans who meet behind one of the goals to sing and chant through most of the Metros first half, the Metrostars faced the Chicago Fire...Behind goals from Amado Guevara and John Wolyniec the Metros would earn their first home victory of the season. Chris Rolfe scored for the Fire...

The England v Columbian match was an add-on to the schedule, so the Metrostars would add a small sticker to the upper corner of the pre-printed season tickets to include the England v Columbian match.

2005 - Metrostars Katrina Relief

2005.09.03 MetroStars v KC Wizards, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ..

To aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina, the MetroStars wore orange jerseys with lettering on the left shoulder "Katrina Relief 9-3-05", that were raffled off to raise money. The raffle consisted of buying tickets and placing them in containers with player names. while the better known players had their containers full, I placed a few tickets in some of the newer players. Near the end of the game, the winning names were shown on the video screens. When my name came up I was thrilled...Tim Ward played the entire game...

Tim Ward played his college soccer at St. Louis University before joining the MetroStars in 2005. Ward has also had stints with the Columbus Crew, Colorado Rapid, chicago Fire and currently the San Jose Earthquakes...

To get the jersey all of the winners had to meet and be brought down to the locker rooms by a MetroStars hostess. When Tim Ward came out he signed his name in the number 2 and handed his jersey to Mike...

The MetroStars came from behind to tie the Wizards 2-2 to keep them in position for a playoff spot...

2001 - Metrostars v NE Revolution

2001.09.07 Metrostars v NE Revolution...Freekick program featured Wolde Harris on the cover. Harris, a Jamaican International earned 28 caps with the Jamaican National Team. Playing at Clemson University, Wolde would break into the MLS in 1997 with the Colorado Rapid...

Taking the lead early, Rodrigo Faria scored after 5 minutes of play, heading in a Daniel Hernandez corner kick. The Revolution would tie the game on a shot from Jamaican international Andy Williams (would would join the Metrostars for the 2002 season).

Faria would sore his second goal in the 27th minute with a header off a Petter Villegas corner kick. The third goal for the Metrostars came in the first-half injury time, when Adolfo Valencia (Colombian International) headed in a Steve Jolley Corner kick...

2001 - Metrostars

Clint Mathis with my boys, nieces, nephews and friends in the tunnels of Giants Stadium.

Michael had his 7th birthday party at Giants Stadium for a Metrostars game. Usually before each Metrostars game, the Giants/Jets/Metrostars practice bubble was set up with soccer games, skills challenges, human fusball, 3v3 games for the kids to participate in before the game. When we set up the birthday party we were told arrive early and have the kids go to the bubble for the pre-game activities. When we arrived, the bubble was closed. football season was underway and the Giants and Jets had priority, even though they were not using it. After much complaming on my part one of the Metrostars staff offered to take our party onto the pitch to check out the stadium from the sidelines, we could not go on the pitch.

After a few minutes we were escorted into the tunnels under the stadium where the players locker rooms were located. Not knowing what to do with our small party of soccer refugees, we were advised to hang out and wait as the players would soon be arriving. As the players slowly filtered in they greeted the kids. clint Mathis kindly agreed to have his picture taken with this little band of kids. AS they Chicago Fire team bus arrived, the kids lined up to get high-fives from the players as they left their bus.

A bad experience turn out to have some pleasant events, which my boys won't forget.

2001 Metrostars v Chicago Fire

2001.09.01 Freekick MLS Program featuring Hristo Stoitchkov of the opposing Chicago Fire. The program featured stories on rising stars Eddie Johnson, Dallas Burn and Santino Quaranta, DC United...Life in a new land, about foreign born players coming to the MLS...Ray Hudson, head coach Miami Fusion...

The same program was used for 3 games, Sept 1 v Chicago Fire, Sept 7 v NE Revolution and Sept 12 v Miami Fusion...The cover would be changed for each issue to represent the opposing team...

2003 - US Open - Metrostars

Aug 27, 2003 US Open - Metrostars v New England Revolution, Yurcak Field, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ...

The Metrostars defeated the Revolution 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the 2003 LaMar Hunt US Open Cup before 3,853 fans. With the win the Metrostars advanced to the semi-finals.

In the second golden goal overtime period, a Mike Magee corner was headed in front of the net by Metrostars captain Eddie Pope. Amado Guevara then pounced on the pass to put the ball into the back of the net past Revolution goalkeeper Adin Brown.

Clint Mathis of the Metrostars scored in the 29th minute, while Revolution Jay Heaps scored in the 45th minute to tie the game.

The Metrostars defeated DC United in the semifinals, but lost to the Chicago Fire in the finals. the US Open cup was founded in 1914 and is open to all US Soccer Federation affiliated teams.

Yurcak Field, Rutgers University was dedicated in 1994, and seats 5000 fans at capacity. A great place to see a game.

 Steve Ralston

Tampa Bay Mutiny (MLS 1996-2001)

New england Revolution (MLS 2002-2010)

United States National Team (1997-2007)

Jason Moore

DC United (MLS 1999)

Colorado Rapids (MLS 2000-2001)

Chicago Fire (MLS 2002)

New England Revolution (MLS 2003)

Following the game as we left the bleachers we were near the entrance to the locker room used by the Revolution. Even though they lost a tough game Ralston and Moore were gracious in signing autographs...