Franchise History
In 6/15/94
New York/New Jersey is named to be an MLS team location.
6/16-7/10/94
Giants Stadium plays host to seven sold-out World Cup Games on an impeccable Bermuda grass field. In all, 525,000 fans watch the world's greatest sports spectacle at Giants Stadium.
11/1/94
Charlie Stillitano, the NY/NJ Venue Executive Director during the World Cup, is named Vice President and General Manager of the MLS team, then known as the Empire Soccer Club.
6/6/95
The original 10 teams are in place. Metromedia's John Kluge and Stuart Subotnick are announced as the investor-operators of the team that will play in Giants Stadium.
8/4-8/6/95
The Empire Soccer Club shows commitment to local soccer fans by holding the Parmalat Cup. The event draws 80,000 spectators over two days. Benfica, Parma, Boca Juniors and the U.S. National Team put on a grand show at Giants Stadium, which is again adorned with a natural grass surface.
10/17/95
The Palladium nightclub in New York is host to "MLS Unveiled." Amid bright lights and high-decibel music, a world-class soccer league is born, complete with bold, colorful uniforms and some brash team nicknames. It is announced that the NY/NJ team will be known as the MetroStars and its first player will be local hero Tab Ramos, who dons a MetroStars uniform in public for the first time.
1/3/96
On a snowy day at Giants Stadium, former Cosmos' field boss Eddie Firmani is introduced as the first head coach of the MetroStars. The former Cosmos' coach shares the spotlight with another familiar face, that of U.S. goalkeeper and World Cup Team captain Tony Meola, who joins Ramos on the MetroStars' roster.
2/4/96
The Empire Radisson hotel in midtown Manhattan is the site of the MetroStars' biggest announcement to date. Italian international and A.C. Milan midfielder Roberto Donadoni joins the MetroStars. The twelve-year Series A veteran is presented with the No. 7 shirt by Stillitano.
2/5/96
Major League Soccer holds its first player draft, where the MetroStars select Philadelphia-born defender Matt Knowles with the ninth pick. By the end of the day, there are 16 new MetroStars.
2/26/96
The MetroStars are involved in the first player trade in league history, dealing defender Troy Dayak to San Jose in exchange for defender Rhett Harty and a draft pick.
3/4/96
The MetroStars go wheeling and dealing in Ft. Lauderdale at the league's first supplemental and college drafts. On a day when teams are looking for six players, the MetroStars come away with 10, including 11-year veteran of Series A Nicola Caricola, a defender whom they select with the first supplemental pick. In the college draft, the MetroStars pick up Miles Joseph, a midfielder from Clifton Park, N.Y., and Clemson University.
3/5/96
The MetroStars hold their first-ever practice session at the Giants Stadium bubble.
3/13/96
Spring Training begins in Boca Raton, Florida, as some 20 players go fighting for jobs.
4/13/96
History is made, as the MetroStars and the Los Angeles Galaxy meet at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, playing before 69,250 fans. The MetroStars lose, 2-1, but a star is born in the 77th minute when Venezuelan Giovanni Savarese scores the first goal in team history.
4/20/96
The MetroStars kick off in Giants Stadium before 46,826 fans, who witness a thrilling, if somewhat bizarre, game that ends in defeat in the 90th minute on an own goal by Caricola. It is the lone score in a 1-0 loss to the New England Revolution.
5/4/96
The MetroStars come from three goals down in a four-minute stretch to defeat the Tampa Bay Mutiny, 4-3, in a shootout for the first win in team history. Savarese ties the game with a bicycle kick in the 75th minute. Ramos nets the decisive shootout goal to the delight of the crowd.
5/16/96
Giovanni Savarese scores the first hat trick in team history, scoring all three goals in a 3-0 win over the Colorado Rapids.
5/24/96
Head Coach Eddie Firmani resigns his position on the same day that the MetroStars play hosts to their first international opponent, Fiorentina of Italy. Argentine Gabriel Batistuta scores two goals and the Series A giants go on to win, 4-0.
5/30/96
Portuguese coaching legend Carlos Queiroz becomes the second head coach of the MetroStars, but drops a 2-1 decision to D.C. United in his first game at the helm.
9/15/96
Head Coach Carlos Queiroz announces he will leave at the end of the '96 season to become Head Coach of Grampus Eight of the J-League in Japan.
12/30/96
The MetroStars announce the hiring of reigning World Cup champion coach Carlos Alberto Parreira of Brazil as Head Coach.
2/2-2/3/97
The MetroStars acquire six new players at the supplemental and college drafts in Florida, including midfielder Brian Kelly of Duke University.
3/6/97
The MetroStars announce plans for a new, state-of-the-art, and modular grass field for Giants Stadium.
5/9/97
The San Jose Clash defeat the MetroStars, 1-0, in the first game played on the new modular grass field.
5/14/97
The MetroStars play host to their first national team, as they welcome Colombia to Giants Stadium. Colombia wins 2-0.
9/9/97
Midfield ace Roberto Donadoni accepts an offer to return to A.C. Milan.
11/6/97
The MetroStars lose three players - goalkeeper Zach Thornton, midfielder Manny Lagos, and defender Andrew Lewis - to Chicago in the first MLS expansion draft.
12/11/97
Carlos Alberto Parreira agrees to accept the head coaching position for Saudi Arabia as they prepare their World Cup '98 campaign.
1/14/98
Alfonso Mondelo, formerly the head coach of the Long Island Rough Riders, is introduced as the fourth head coach in MetroStars history.
2/4/98
The MetroStars acquire U.S. National Team defender Alexi Lalas from the New England Revolution in the first three-team trade in MLS history.
3/5/98
While in Italy for preseason training, the MetroStars drop a 3-1 decision to Roberto Donadoni and A.C. Milan. Jim Rooney scores the lone Metro goal.
9/21/98
Following a six-game losing streak, Alfonso Mondelo is relieved of his coaching duties and is replaced by former U.S. and Mexico coach Bora Milutinovic.
1/20/99
Forward Giovanni Savarese, along with a second-round selection in the 2000 MLS College Draft, is traded to the New England Revolution in a three-team trade that brings forward Raul Diaz Arce to the MetroStars. Diaz Arce and Chilean international midfielder Marcelo Vega are then traded to the San Jose Clash for an allocated player to be named and future considerations.
1/28/99
In the busiest day in team history, GM Charlie Stillitano continues the MetroStars rebuilding by trading goalkeeper Tony Meola and defender Alexi Lalas to the Kansas City Wizards in exchange for midfielder Mark Chung and goalkeeper Mike Ammann. Later in the day, the trading continues as defender Diego Sonora is dealt to D.C. United, by way of San Jose, in another three-team deal. In exchange for Sonora, the MetroStars receive United's second and third-round selections in the 2000 MLS College Draft and San Jose's third-round pick in the 2000 MLS College Draft.
8/17/99
MLS signs German superstar Lothar Matthäus and allocates him to the MetroStars for the 2000 MLS Season.
10/29/99
The MetroStars and head coach Bora Milutinovic mutually agree to part ways. MetroStars Assistant Coach, Fernando Clavijo, named interim head coach.
11/9/99
Lothar Matthäus is presented to the local media at the ESPN Zone in New York City.
11/29/99
MetroStars name Octavio Zambrano head coach. New England Revolution name MetroStars Assistant Coach Fernando Clavijo as head coach.
1/12/00
1999 MLS Executive of the Year Nick Sakiewicz, formerly of the Tampa Bay Mutiny, is appointed General Manager of the MetroStars.
1/28/00
MetroStars acquire U.S. National Team veteran Thomas Dooley from the Columbus Crew in exchange for defender Mike Duhaney.
2/6/00
MetroStars select UCLA defender Steve Shak with the first overall pick in the 2000 MLS SuperDraft.
3/3/00
MLS allocates Colombian International forward Adolfo "El Tren" Valencia to the MetroStars.
4/1/00
Lothar Matthäus, Adolfo Valencia, and Alex Comas make their home debuts at Giants Stadium, leading the MetroStars to a 3-2 home win over defending MLS Cup champions DC United before a crowd of 27, 322.
4/19/00
General Manager Nick Sakiewicz pulls off two trades, which help shore up the defense for the remainder of the 2000 season. Defensive midfielder Daniel Hernandez is acquired from the Tampa Bay Mutiny in exchange for the rights to Daniel Alvarez (4th Round Pick, '00). Defender Steve Jolley is acquired from the Los Angeles Galaxy in exchange for a MetroStars second round pick in 2001.
4/22/00
Mike Petke scores a 94th minute goal in overtime to defeat DC United, 3-2, at RFK Stadium. The MetroStars win in their first overtime appearance.
5/13/00
The final piece of the puzzle for a successful 2000 season is acquired after the MetroStars draft striker Clint Mathis with the first selection in the MLS dispersal draft. Mathis went on to collect 39 points (13 goals, 13 assists) in 21 games with the MetroStars.
8/26/00
Clint Mathis sets two MLS records by scoring five goals and totaling 10 points in a 6-4 road win at Dallas. The team also clinches the Eastern Division Title for the first trophy in club history.
9/12/00
For the third time in four years, the MetroStars are eliminated in the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after losing to the Miami Fusion, 3-2, in a game played at the Mitchell Athletic Complex in Uniondale, Long Island.
9/15/00
Adolfo Valencia scores a goal in the final moments of overtime to defeat the Dallas Burn, 2-1, in Game One of the playoff quarterfinals at Giants Stadium.
9/20/00
Clint Mathis scores both goals in a 2-1 road win at Dallas to sweep the Burn in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs (2-0). The MetroStars advance in the MLS playoffs for the first time in team history.
10/6/00
Ante Razov's 88th minute goal at Soldier Field in Chicago eliminates the MetroStars from the playoffs in a 3-2 loss. The Fire takes two of the three games in the semifinal series.
10/13/00
Nick Sakiewicz wins the MLS Executive of the Year award for the second consecutive year just 10 months after being appointed general manager. He won the award the previous season with the Tampa Bay Mutiny.
2/4/01
The team selects unknown forward Rodrigo Faria from the reserve team MetroStars Black with the #13 pick overall in the 2001 Superdraft.
3/28/01
Clint Mathis scores on a free kick in the 87th minute to give the U.S. a dramatic 2-1 road win at Honduras in World Cup qualifying.
4/21/01
The MetroStars host NASL Reunion Day at Giants Stadium with past stars such as Carlos Alberto, Shep Messing, Teofilo "Nene" Cubillas, Werner Roth, Hubert Birkenmeier, and Eskandarian among the many NASL celebrities in attendance.
6/5/01
Clint Mathis suffers a torn ACL during a U.S. National Team practice in Columbus, OH. He misses the remainder of the season.
6/16/01
Mike Petke breaks the team record for minutes played (Tony Meola 8,100) after recording 100 minutes in a scoreless home draw against San Jose. Petke, who set the record in the 73rd minute, finishes the game with 8,126 career minutes.
10/15/01
Fans in online voting on the league's official website (MLSNET.COM) name Clint Mathis as the recipient of the 2001 Goal of the Year with his April 28th, 60-yard run against Dallas at Giants Stadium. Tim Howard is selected as the 2001 New York Life MLS Humanitarian of the Year.
10/16/01
Tim Howard, in his first year as a starter, is selected as the 2001 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.
10/17/01
The Copa Merconorte game between the MetroStars and Mexican club Chivas of Guadalajara at Giants Stadium has been canceled, after Chivas players and coaches inform the MetroStars they would not travel to the New York area to play. MetroStars win by a 2-0 forfeit.
10/17/01
Rodrigo Faria is selected as the 2001 Rookie of the Year.
10/28/01
The MetroStars, DC United, New York Power, and Washington Freedom host first of two benefit doubleheaders dubbed "The Unity Games" to aid victims of the September 11 attacks on New York City and Washington, DC. The two doubleheaders (the second one was held Nov. 3 at RFK Stadium in Washington) raised over $250,000.
11/12/01
Tim Howard is named to the Board of Directors of the Tourette Syndrome Association of New Jersey (TSANJ).
11/21/01
Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) acquires the MetroStars from Metromedia Company.
12/19/01
The MetroStars and New York-area Spanish radio powerhouse WADO 1280 AM jointly announce a new multi-year agreement that will make WADO the official Spanish language broadcast partner of the MetroStars through the 2004 MLS season.
3/27/02
Clint Mathis scores two goals for the U.S. in a 4-2 international friendly loss to Germany.
5/24/02
The largest trade (six players) in league history takes place when the MetroStars acquire forward Mamadou Diallo, midfielder Andy Williams and defender Ted Chronopoulos from the New England Revolution in exchange for forward Diego Serna and midfielders/defenders Daniel Hernandez and Brian Kamler.
6/11/02
Clint Mathis scores the lone goal against South Korea to forge a crucial 1-1 tie during a Group D first-round match of the 2002 World Cup.
9/12/02
Tab Ramos plays what turns out to be his final career match at Giants Stadium in a 1-1 draw against DC United.
10/8/02
The MetroStars announce that Octavio Zambrano has been relieved of his head coaching duties.
10/14/02
MetroStars defender Steve Jolley is named the 2002 United States Soccer Foundation MLS Humanitarian of the Year.
10/19/02
MetroStars GK Tim Howard is voted to the MLS 2002 Pepsi Best XI, marking the second straight year he has received the honor. Tab Ramos is also named the recipient of the 2002 Commissioner's Award.
10/21/02
Bob Bradley leaves the Chicago Fire to become the seventh head coach in MetroStars history. In return for the right to sign Bradley from the Fire, the MetroStars send F Rodrigo Faria and a conditional 2004 MLS SuperDraft pick (the MetroStars choice of at least the 12th overall pick or a higher pick) to Chicago as compensation.
12/16/02
Scottish legend Mo Johnston, a veteran of 15 years of top-level European club soccer as well as a driving force in leading the Kansas City Wizards to the 2000 MLS Cup championship, is named as an assistant coach by Bob Bradley.
12/23/02
In a blockbuster trade with DC United, the team acquires defender Eddie Pope, forward Jaime Moreno, and midfielder Richie Williams from DC United in exchange for defender Mike Petke, the #5 pick overall in the 2003 SuperDraft, and an allocation.
1/18/03
The team drafts four new players (Ricardo Clark, Tim Glowienka, Kenny Arena, Jacob LeBlanc) and acquire another four (Mike Magee, Eddie Gaven, Tim Regan, Marco Velez) through various trades during the 2003 SuperDraft in Kansas City to immediately inject a fusion of young talent onto the 2003 preseason roster.
4/11/03
The MetroStars acquire Honduran National Team midfielder Amado Guevara as an allocation and sign him to a multi-year contract.
6/14/03
New Jersey native and MetroStars midfielder/forward Eddie Gaven (16 years, 232 days) becomes the youngest player in club history and the second youngest player in league history to appear in an MLS regular season game, when he started in a 3-2 loss to the Chicago Fire at Giants Stadium.
7/5/03
At 16 years, 253 days, MetroStars midfielder/forward Eddie Gaven becomes the youngest player in team history to score a goal. He also became the second youngest in MLS history to score a goal, as he sits just behind D.C. United's Santino Quaranta, who scored when he was 16 years, 217 days old. Mike Magee who was 18 years, 236 days old when he tallied his first score, held the previous MetroStars record for youngest goal scorer. Magee's goal came on April 26, 2003, in a 1-0 win at the Columbus Crew.
7/14/03
MetroStars goalkeeper Tim Howard is transferred to world-renowned English Premier League club Manchester United. Howard ends his Metro career with a record of 37-36-11, a 1.46 goals against average, and 15 shutouts in 85 games. The MetroStars acquire goalkeeper Jonny Walker to replace Howard. The Chilean First Division standout joins the Metros after a successful career with Universidad Catolica, Colo Colo, and Huachipato.
10/1/03
The MetroStars reach their first Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final with late-game heroics, defeating rival D.C. United at Rutgers University, 3-2. John Wolyniec plays the hero as he deflects a Ricardo Clark shot in the 88th minute, which sends the MetroStars to the final against the Chicago Fire at Giants Stadium on Oct. 15. Amado Guevara contributes two goals to help push the Metros its first final in team history.
10/15/03
In a physical battle between two familiar rivals, a second half goal by rookie forward Damani Ralph is all the Chicago Fire would need to earn a 1-0 victory over the MetroStars and the championship of the 2003 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Giants Stadium. The final is the first the Metros have qualified for in team history.
11/22/03
At the 2003 MLS Gala Awards Ceremony at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California MetroStars captain Eddie Pope is named to the 2003 MLS Best XI.
12/3/03
The MetroStars acquire veteran defender Tenywa Bonseu and the first pick in the third round (21st overall) of the 2004 MLS SuperDraft from the Dallas Burn in exchange for defender Steve Jolley.
1/16/04
The MetroStars select six players in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC. The MetroStars open the day by executing a trade with the Chicago Fire to acquire the 18th overall selection. With this pick the Metros select defender Seth Stammler. In return the MetroStars sent the Fire their second round pick in the 2005 draft. The Metros also select goalkeeper Zach Wells (first pick in the third round, 21st overall), Olivier Occean (sixth pick in the third round, 26th overall), Michael Bradley (sixth pick in the fourth round, 36th overall), Johnny David (sixth pick in the fifth round, 46th overall), and Jeff Parke (10th pick in the sixth round, 60th overall).
1/22/04
MetroStars forward Clint Mathis signs a contract with German Bundesliga club Hannover 96 after spending the previous four seasons with the "Red and Black." Mathis ends his Metro career playing in 67 games (66 starts), scoring 33 goals and 21 assists for 87 points for second in scoring in team history.
2/4/04
The MetroStars acquire 21-year-old Bolivian playmaker Joselito Vaca from the Dallas Burn in exchange for future considerations.
3/2/04
The MetroStars trade the rights to forward Jaime Moreno to D.C. United in exchange for future considerations, and the Metros will receive additional considerations if he is added to D.C. United's final 2004 roster.
3/4/04
The MetroStars acquire 23-year-old Jamaican forward Fabian Taylor as a Transitional International player using a Discovery selection.
3/5/04
The Metros capture the 2004 La Manga Cup with a 1-0 victory over Viking FK of Stavanger, Norway in at La Manga Club Resort in La Manga, Murcia, Spain. Rookie defender Jeff Parke scored the game-winner in the 27th minute, to earn the Metros the preseason trophy. Veteran midfielder Amado Guevara earned Most Valuable Player honors after leading the Metros to the title and a 3-1-0 record in the tournament. To start the tournament, the MetroStars dropped a 1-0 result to Viking on February 25, 2004 in Group A. The "Red and Black" thumped FK Bodø/Glimt, 3-1, courtesy of two goals by Joselito Vaca and to advance to the semifinals. In the semis, the Metros defeated Ukrainian powerhouse Dynamo Kyiv 3-2 to advance to the final.
3/9/06
The team is purchased and renamed as Red Bull New York.
2007 Stats
| UNF | POS | PLAYER | GP | GS | MIN | G  | A | SHT | SOG | FC | FS | C | E |
| 9 | F | Juan Pablo Angel | 24 | 24 | 2125 | 19 | 5 | 97 | 53 | 31 | 20 | 2 | 1 |
| 17 | F | Jozy Altidore | 22 | 15 | 1399 | 9 | 4 | 43 | 20 | 38 | 43 | 4 | 0 |
| 13 | M-F | Clint Mathis | 26 | 19 | 1723 | 6 | 2 | 47 | 22 | 16 | 15 | 2 | 2 |
| 15 | F | John Wolyniec | 21 | 13 | 1032 | 3 | 2 | 24 | 7 | 16 | 27 | 1 | 0 |
| 30 | F | Francis Doe | 8 | 4 | 428 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 21 | M | Dema Kovalenko | 19 | 15 | 1378 | 2 | 1 | 21 | 7 | 29 | 22 | 5 | 0 |
| 19 | M | Dane Richards | 28 | 27 | 2335 | 2 | 6 | 24 | 14 | 50 | 35 | 5 | 0 |
| 11 | M | Dave van den Bergh | 29 | 26 | 2228 | 2 | 8 | 36 | 19 | 23 | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| 25 | M | Sal Caccavale | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | D-M | Hunter Freeman | 16 | 15 | 1342 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 21 | 19 | 2 | 0 |
| 16 | D | Todd Dunivant * | 7 | 7 | 630 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | D | Kevin Goldthwaite | 9 | 8 | 662 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 0 |
| 26 | D | Taylor Graham * | 5 | 3 | 335 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | M | Elie Ikangu | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | F | Jerrod Laventure | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | D | Chris Leitch | 12 | 11 | 1018 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | F | Mike Magee | 7 | 0 | 144 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | D | Carlos Mendes | 23 | 19 | 1709 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 60 | D | Jeff Parke | 28 | 26 | 2246 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 24 | 23 | 2 | 0 |
| 25 | M | Santino Quaranta | 3 | 0 | 47 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | D-M | Tim Regan * | 3 | 2 | 143 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | M | Claudio Reyna | 21 | 21 | 1723 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 3 | 35 | 18 | 2 | 0 |
| 32 | D-M | Markus Schopp | 5 | 3 | 228 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | M-D | Seth Stammler | 29 | 28 | 2547 | 0 | 2 | 26 | 5 | 46 | 28 | 3 | 0 |
| 8 | F-M | Sinisa Ubiparipovic | 12 | 0 | 233 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | M | Joe Vide | 16 | 13 | 1107 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 26 | 13 | 4 | 1 |
| 2 | D | Marvell Wynne * | 1 | 1 | 90 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Own goals rcvd. | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Totals | 30 | 30 | 2700 | 47 | 40 | 396 | 178 | 424 | 361 | 39 | 4 | ||
| Opposition Totals | 30 | 30 | 2700 | 45 | 44 | 366 | 168 | 362 | 424 | 42 | 5 | ||
| Game Winning Goals | Juan Pablo Angel (5), Jozy Altidore (3)John Wolyniec (3)Hunter Freeman (1) |
| Game Winning Assists | Dane Richards (3), Jozy Altidore (2), Juan Pablo Angel (2), Hunter Freeman (1), Clint Mathis (1), Claudio Reyna (1), Dave van den Bergh (1), John Wolyniec (1) |
| Penalty Kicks Made / Attempted | Clint Mathis (0/1), Juan Pablo Angel (5/5) |
Goalkeeping Stats
| UNF | POS | PLAYER | GP | GS | MIN | SHTS | SVS | GA | GAA | PG | PA | W | L | T | SHO |
| 23 | GK | Ronald Waterreus | 18 | 18 | 1557 | 89 | 59 | 31 | 1.79 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| 18 | GK | Jon Conway | 14 | 12 | 1143 | 79 | 57 | 14 | 1.10 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 4 |
| Totals | 30 | 30 | 2700 | 178 | 116 | 45 | 1.50 | 4 | 5 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 10 | ||
| Opposition Totals | 30 | 30 | 2700 | 168 | 118 | 47 | 1.57 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 7 | ||
* Player no longer with team
Past New York Soccer Team
The New York Cosmos reigned as the flagship franchise of American soccer from 1971-1985 capturing five North American Championships in ‘72~’77~’78~’80~82. Soccer's international “dream team” dominated the domestic and global soccer scene attracting record crowds wherever they played. After four solid opening years including their first championship in 1972, the Cosmos began their march toward soccer supremacy in 1975, making worldwide news by signing the sport's all-time icon--Brazilian soccer legend, Pele. The following year, Italy's most prolific goal-scorer, Giorgio Chinaglia, arrived in New York, and in 1977, following the team's landmark move to a brand-new Giant Stadium, Germany's "Kaiser" Franz BeckenbauerCarlos Alberto was signed in mid-season and the Cosmos were on their way to a second championship and a memorable farewell for a retiring Pele. joined the fold fresh off three European Championships. Crowds grew by the game to a record 62,000 in June and on up to a sellout of 77,691 by August. Brazilian "King of Sweepers" Now the world-class tone was set, and the trend continued. Yugoslavia's maestro midfielder, Valdislav "Bogi" Bogicevic; Holand's Johann Neeskens and Wim Rijsbergen; England's Dennis Tueart and Steve Hunt; Paraguay's Roberto Cabanas and Julio Cesar Romero; and Portugal's Seninho all found their way to a Cosmos uniform and three more North American Championships followed. At one point, as many as 16 different nationalities were represented on the roster, with strong support from the likes of Andranik Eskandarian, Hubert Birkenmeier, Robert Iarusci, Ramo Mifflin, Freddie Grgurev, Borris Bandov, Steve Wegerle, Randy Horton, Nelsi Morais, Morinho, Keith Eddy, Gordon Bradley, and Antonio Carbognani. At the same time, the Cosmos blueprint all along the way also to develope young American talent by exposing them to their experienced international stars on an everyday basis. As a result, the first generation of American stars was also born: Shep Messing, Werner Roth, Ricky Davis, Angelo DiBernardo, David Brcic, Jeff Durgan. Santiago Formoso, Steve Moyers, Darryl Gee, Gary Etherington, and Erhardt Kapp. Never in history of soccer has such a versatile team of the world's top players been assembled
Year-by-Year Recap 1971: The Cosmos play their first-ever game on April 17th in St. Louis and beat the St. Louis Stars 2-1. On May 5th, 3,746 fans attend the inaugural home game at Yankee Stadium a 1-0 victory over the Washington Darts. Coached by Gordon Bradley, the Cosmos go on to finish second in the Northern Division of the N.A.S.L. with a record of 9 wins, 10 losses and 5 ties. That qualifies them for the playoffs in their inaugural year, where they lose in two straight games to the Atlanta Chiefs. 1972: The Cosmos move from Yankee Stadium to Hofstra University on Long Island for the 1972 season. Striker Randy Horton from Bermuda becomes the team’s first star and leads the league in scoring with 9 goals and 4 assists in 13 games. The Cosmos win the Northern Division, beat the Dallas Tornado in a playoff semi-final, and win their first North American championship with a 2-1 victory over St. Louis in the championship game at Hofstra. 1973: The Cosmos finish second in the Eastern Division with a record of 7-5-7. They are eliminated in the semi-finals by the Dallas Tornado. 1974: The Cosmos move to Downing Stadium on Randalls Island and finish last for the only time in their history with a record of 4-14-2. 1975: The season starts slowly with 3 wins and 6 losses in the first nine games. On June 10th however, the future direction of the franchise changes dramatically. After a concerted two-year courtship, The Cosmos’ Warner Communications ownership shocks the soccer world by signing Pele, the most renowned soccer player of all-time, to a 3-year contract worth a reported $7-million. On June 18th, the Brazilian superstar makes his debut in front of an overflow crowd of 22,500 and a world-wide media spotlight. The Cosmos beat Toronto 2-0, providing a major visibility boost to the N.A.S.L. and to soccer across the United States. Pele plays in nine games, scoring 5 goals and 4 assists, but the team finishes 10-12 and misses the playoffs. 1976: The Cosmos return to Yankee Stadium, and enhance their new big-time image by signing Italian international striker Giorgio Chinaglia. Chinaglia makes his debut on May 17th, and scores twice in a resounding 6-0 win over the Los Angeles Aztecs in front of 24,292. Chinaglia finishes the season as the league’s leading scorer with 19 goals and 11 assists in just 19 games, and the Cosmos finish second in the Northern Division with a 16-8 record. They beat Washington 2-0 in a first-round playoff match, but lose the Division Championship 3-1 to the Tampa Bay Rowdies in Tampa. Pele plays 22 games, registering 13 goals and 18 assists. 1977: The breakthrough season in Cosmos history. The team moves into brand-new Giants Stadium in New Jersey, and finally finds a permanent home. They beat Rochester 2-0 in their first Meadowlands home game. On May 25th after early-season struggles, the team lures German superstar Franz Beckenbauer, who signs after captaining West Germany to the World Cup championship in 1974, and Bayern Munich to three successive European Cup championships. Eddie Firmani replaces Gordon Bradley as coach and the new stadium and all-star international cast begin paying huge dividends at the gate. A record 32,000 turn out on June 12th against Minnesota, a record that is shattered when 62,319 show up on Father’s Day Sunday the following week against archrival Tampa Bay. ‘The Cosmos Phenomenon’ swings into full-gear, the media responds with unprecedented coverage and the team responds to the home crowds. Brazilian sweeper Carlos Alberto, Pele’s long-time teammate at Santos and on the renowned Brazilian National Team joins the fold on July 17th, and the final piece to the championship puzzle is in place. The Cosmos win their last eight home games but still finish second to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers with a record of 15-11. In the playoffs, the Cosmos late-season momentum turns the tables on the Strikers, beginning with a memorable 8-3 rout before a Giants Stadium sellout crowd of 77,691. The Cosmos complete the two-game sweep with a 3-2 win in Fort Lauderdale and advance to the Conference final. A Chinaglia goal wins the first leg in Rochester, and the Cosmos return home to sweep the Lancers 4-1 in front of 73,669 fans who turn out in the pouring rain. The Cosmos move on to Soccer Bowl, the N.A.S.L. championship game in Portland, Oregon on August 27th and Chinaglia’s 81st minute goal defeats the Seattle Sounders 2-1, a storybook championship in Pele’s last competitive game. The now world-famous club goes on tour to China through September and returns home for the Pele Farewell Game on October 1st. In a fitting ceremonial send-off and thank you to the King of Soccer, the Cosmos host his long-time Brazilian club Santos. Pele plays one half for each team in front of a 75,646 fans and a worldwide television audience. This year marks the 25th anniversary of this memorable game and dream season. 1978: Pele is retired, but the star-studded Cosmos blueprint is in place. The club signs Yugoslavian international Vladislav Bogicevic and English star Dennis Tueart to help fill the Pele offensive void around Chinaglia. The team roars through a 24-6 regular-season and crowds continue to flock to the Meadowlands in record numbers, averaging nearly 50,000 through 15 regular-season home games. The Cosmos also generate the largest crowd of the year for each N.A.S.L. franchise it plays on the road. Chinaglia sets a league record with 34 goals to go along with 11 assists in 30 games. The club defeats Seattle 5-2 in a first-round home playoff game, but then hits the major crossroad of its season after a 9-2 thrashing by the Minnesota Kicks in the first-leg of the Conference Semi-Finals. The team returns home and again rides its large Meadowlands crowd to a 4-0 victory to even the series. After a scoreless mini-game, the Cosmos use the coolness of a Carlos Alberto shootout-tying score and a Beckenbauer game-winner to move on to the Conference Championship in one of the more dramatic moments in team history. The team sweeps through Portland on the road and 5-0 back home and prepares to host the Soccer Bowl in Giants Stadium against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. 74,901watch Chinaglia and Tueart lead the Cosmos to a 3-1 win and the club becomes the first repeat champion in N.A.S.L. history. Their new acclaim has them in demand all over the world, and the club goes on post-season tours of Europe and South America. 1979: Ray Klivecka replaces Eddie Firmani as coach early in the season, and the parade of international stars continues following the 1978 World Cup. Dutch stars Johan Neeskens and Wim Rijsbergen, Iranian defender Andranik Eskandarian, Portugal’s speedy Seninho and flamboyant Brazilian Francisco Marinho are added, along with a less-heralded signing of German goalkeeper Hubert Birkenmeier, who would become the most reliable netminder in club history. The Cosmos continue to dominate the Eastern Division and rack up a second consecutive 24-6 regular-season. The club rolls through a first-round playoff series with Toronto, and rallies from a second-round road loss in Tulsa to beat the Roughnecks at home 3-0 in the regulation game and 3-1 in an explosive 30-minute mini-game. In the Conference Final, the Cosmos return to the road and lose 2-0 to the Vancouver Whitecaps, an experienced British-laden Western Division champion. In the process, the Cosmos also lose Carlos Alberto and Eskandarian to red cards for the return leg at home. On a marathon Meadowlands afternoon, the Cosmos win the regulation game 3-2 in shootout, but after a scoreless mini-game they finally succumb in another dramatic shootout. It is the only elimination loss the Cosmos would ever suffer in Giants Stadium. 1979 also marked the emergence of the second element of the Cosmos master plan, the integration of the young American player into its international galaxy of stars. California midfielder Rick Davis, capitalizing on everyday training with the experienced veterans surrounding him, wins the league’s North American Player of the Year, and is voted player of the game on six occasions. Several American players would follow in his footsteps in the next couple of years. 1980: Professor Julio Mazzei, Pele’s longtime advisor, begins the season as coach, as the Cosmos await the end of the European season and the May arrival of renowned German coach Hennes Weisweiler. This year’s youth-oriented additions include Paraguay’s teenage sensation Julio Cesar Romero and young Americans Jeff Durgan and Angelo DiBernardo, along with a mid-season signing of Belgian international Francois Van der Elst. Once again, the Cosmos romp through the regular-season with a 24-8 mark. On May 16th, Chinaglia becomes the N.A.S.L.’s all-time leading scorer with his 102nd goal in exactly four years. He goes on to lead the league in scoring with 32 goals in 32 games, Romero makes an immediate impact with 14 goals and 19 assists, and Bogicevic sets an all-time league assist record. Chinaglia saves the best performance of his career for the playoffs, beginning with two goals in a 3-1 opening-round road win in Tulsa, and a whopping seven in an 8-1 return leg victory at home, a performance which makes headlines around the world. The Cosmos go on to beat Dallas in the second round, and sweep past the Los Angeles Aztecs in the Conference Final to get back to their third Soccer Bowl in four years. On a steamy Sunday afternoon in Washington’s RFK Stadium, Romero breaks through for a goal early in the second half, and Chinaglia tacks on two more to lead the Cosmos past Fort Lauderdale 3-0 for their fourth North American Championship. Chinaglia ends the playoffs with a phenomenal 18 goals in just seven games, to finish with an even 50 scores on the year. The team leaves shortly for an extended fall European tour. 1981: Hennes Weisweiler returns as coach, and the regular-season dynasty rolls on to a fourth straight 20-win regular season, this time 23-9. Another Paraguayan teenage star Roberto Cabanas adds new flash and scoring support to Chinaglia, and a new rivalry emerges with the Chicago Sting and its own star-studded roster of veterans, primarily from Germany’s Bundesliga. Chinaglia leads the league in scoring again with 29 goals in 32 games. The team beats Tampa Bay in three games in the first round of the playoffs and sweeps Ft. Lauderdale 4-3 in Florida and 4-1 back in Giants Stadium to advance to its fourth Soccer Bowl in five years. 1982: Professor Julio Mazzei returns as coach, and once again the Cosmos roar through a 23-9 regular season against a backdrop of a league beginning to show signs of franchise problems. Chinaglia leads the league in scoring for the sixth time with 20 goals, and the team enters the playoffs determined to regain its North American title. They begin with a three-game opening-series win over Tulsa including a resounding 5-0 opening-game at Giants Stadium. They go on to a two-game sweep of San Diego and advance to their fifth Soccer Bowl in six years, against Seattle in Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego. Chinaglia strikes a crowning and fitting climax to the glory years with a 25th-minute goal and a 1-0 victory. The Cosmos win their fourth North American championship in six years, and fifth and final overall. 1983: With a league beginning to fold one-by-one around them, its flagship franchise forges on to a 22-8 regular-season record, their sixth straight 20-win season. Franz Beckenbauer returns to try and inject new life into an ailing league, but the Cosmos lose a controversial first-round in shootout to the Montreal Manic. Roberto Cabanas leads the league in scoring with 25 goals and 16 assists in 28 games and Giorgio Chinaglia retires as the landslide all-time scorer in American professional soccer history with 165 career goals, a record that still stands. 1984: With Chinaglia and Beckenbauer gone and only five franchises standing, the league goes through the motions of its final season. The Cosmos finish with a 13-11 record and fails to make the playoffs for the first time since 1975. Due to non-discerning player salaries and over-expansion, the North American Soccer League was forced to stop play after this season. The Cosmos play their final game on September 15th against the Chicago Sting. After exploring other professional leagues and options, the Cosmos decide to devote time and effort to their extensive youth camp programs. | |