SECAUCUS, N.J. - The MetroStars announced today their 2006 Preseason Training Schedule, which includes trips to Bradenton, FL, Los Angeles, CA and Charleston, SC. The MetroStars will report to Giants Stadium on February 1 for a series of light practice sessions before the team leaves for Bradenton, FL on February 6. The practices at Giants Stadium will be open to the media and exact times will be set in the near future.
"At this point, we are measured by our success against MLS competition. Therefore, we wanted preseason games in familiar settings that would prepare us specifically for the MLS season," said MetroStars President and General Manager Alexi Lalas. "International trips can often be valuable from a team-building, competitive or financial standpoint. But right now, we feel a domestic preseason will give us the best chance of having a successful team in 2006."
The squad will be training at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL for two weeks from Monday, February 6 until Monday, February 20. There are four matches tentatively planned against Major League Soccer Clubs Real Salt Lake, the Columbus Crew, D.C. United and the Kansas City Wizards throughout the two weeks. Times will be determined at a later date.
Following the Florida excursion, the MetroStars will embark to the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles, CA for nine days from March 1 until March 9. The club plans on playing three or four games in Los Angeles, however exact dates and times of the games will be determined at a later date.
The domestic preseason travel schedule wraps up with a trip to Charleston, SC for the third annual Carolina Challenge Cup on March 17. The Carolina Challenge Cup is a four-team round robin tournament that features the MetroStars, D.C. United and last year's Challenge Cup champions, Houston (formerly San Jose Earthquakes). The hosts of the tournament, the Charleston Battery of the A-League, will be the fourth side. All matches will be played at Blackbaud Stadium in the Daniel Island community of Charleston, SC and the dates and times are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
METROSTARS 2006 PRESEASON TRAINING SCHEDULE
(Dates of matches subject to change, times TBD)
Wednesday, February 1 - Saturday, February 4: Giants Stadium Bubble, East Rutherford, NJ
Monday, February 6 - Monday, February 20: IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL
Wednesday, March 1 - Thursday, March 9: Home Depot Center, Los Angeles, CA
Friday, March 17 - Sunday, March 26: Blackbaud Stadium, Charleston, SC
