SECAUCUS, NJ - The MetroStars will take on the Chicago Fire in the first Inaugural Day exhibition match at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, New York on Monday, October 11. The match is part of the festivities surrounding the induction weekend that will see two former MLS players - forward Eric Wynalda and defender Paul Caligiuri - enshrined as the League's first Hall of Fame inductees.
"The MetroStars are excited about being part of this new National Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Day tradition," said MetroStars President & General Manager Nick Sakiewicz. "With 2004 signifying the first class of MLS players to join the Hall of Fame, it is wonderful to celebrate the event by having two of MLS's best teams playing at the Hall of Fame."
The game will take place at the Hall of Fame campus on At-A-Glance Field at 1:30 PM ET. Tickets for the game are $18 for bleacher seating and $12 for lawn seating in advance, or day of game at $20 and $16 respectively. Tickets are available at the Hall of Fame or by calling 607/432-3351 x207.
"We are very excited about the next step in Hall of Fame history. We add Major League Soccer to the roster of U.S. National Teams and the WUSA who have played here in the past. What a great day it will be!" Will Lunn, President/CEO of the Hall of Fame, stated today. "We thank MLS Commissioner Don Garber for his support of this event and MetroStars President & General Manager Nick Sakiewicz, and Chicago General Manager Peter Wilt for their commitment to bringing their teams to Oneonta to celebrate the induction of the new Hall of Famers. Certainly we are especially pleased Chicago is here to recognize the induction of former Fire player Eric Wynalda."
Soccer in America entered a new era with the announcement of the 2004 Inductees - Los Angeles Galaxy and U.S. National Team star Paul Caligiuri, the U.S. Men's all-time leading scorer and MLS standout Eric Wynalda, and FIFA Women's Player of the Century Michelle Akers.
"2004 opens the Hall of Fame door to the stars of MLS and to a new generation of players whose playing careers soccer fans have been able to follow on national television," Will Lunn, President/CEO of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, stated. The three will be inducted at the Hall of Fame on October 11, 2004. Induction 2004 is open to the public and free of charge.
Located in Oneonta, NY, the National Soccer Hall of Fame opened a new 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art museum in 1999. The Hall of Fame tells the story of soccer in America through artifacts, photographs, and video clips. The new Hall features an extensive interactive, youth oriented Kicks Zone where visitors have fun kicking, heading and playing computer trivia stations and video soccer games. The VideoWall portrays some of the greatest moments and the greatest goals in history as well as live soccer action with World Cup, MLS, US Soccer and WUSA matches. Unique and rare artifacts on exhibit range from the world's oldest soccer ball to the Women's World Cup won by the USA in 1999, Pele's and Mia Hamm's uniforms, Kristine Lilly's golden shoes, NASL championship rings, the original MLS championship trophy, WUSA gallery - it's all at the National Soccer Hall of Fame. In addition to the interactive Museum, the National Soccer Hall of Fame complex boasts the Kicks Hall of Fame Museum Store, a research library, four world-class soccer fields and office/meeting facilities. The Hall plans to add a stadium, an indoor soccer arena and housing facilities in the future.
The mission of the National Soccer Hall of Fame is to celebrate the history, honor the heroes, inspire the youth and preserve the legacy of soccer in the United States.
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is open every day of the year, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for students, $6.50 for children 6 or older and senior citizens. Children 5 and under are free.
