The Metrostars history traces back to the early days of Major League Soccer, marking the beginning of the Metrostars team journey in American soccer. Known for their competitive spirit and loyal fan base, the Metrostars soccer club built a strong identity before eventually transforming into one of the league’s most recognized franchises.
Established
1994
City
New York
League History
1996 – Present / Major League Soccer
Team History
2006 – Present / New York Red Bulls
1998 - 2005 / MetroStars
1996 - 1997 / New York/New Jersey MetroStars
Nickname
MetroStars - Regarding Major League Soccer, few teams have as much history and tradition as the MetroStars. The team was founded in 1996 and has been a staple of MLS ever since. But what many may not know is that the nickname “MetroStars” originated from an unlikely source: New York City subway riders!
MetroStars Origin
The MetroStars history story goes that when the team first formed, they held a contest for fans to come up with their official name. One fan suggested “Metrostars” about all those who ride on NYC's famous transit system daily – commuters, businesspeople, and tourists – all united by their love for soccer (and public transportation).
It made perfect sense given how passionate New Yorkers are about soccer; several amateur teams around town already played under various names, such as NY Cosmos or Manhattan Kickers. However, none had entirely caught on as MetroStars did! This unique name distinguished them from other clubs while also paying homage to its home city - something which resonated deeply with supporters both near and far alike.
As time went on, this catchy moniker became firmly entrenched within MLS culture, eventually becoming synonymous with everything great about America's top-tier professional league - exciting, action-packed matches full of skillful play combined with passionate fandom across multiple generations & cultures nationwide (not just limited to NYC!). To this day, you can still find references being made towards "the Metros" whenever people discuss one of America's most beloved sports leagues... proving yet again why sometimes even seemingly small decisions can significantly impact down the line!
Championship
MLS Cups 0
Stadium
2010 – Present / Red Bull Arena
1996 - 2009 / Giants Stadium
Owner
2006 - Present / Red Bull GmbH
2001 - 2006 / Anschutz Entertainment Group
1995 - 2001 / John Kluge and Stuart Subotnick
- 1998
- 2000
- 2001
- 2003
- 2004
-
Drop the NY/NJ from the Name in 1998
Starting in 1998, the team stopped referring to itself as New York/New Jersey, but it took a few years for the media and fans to catch up. The team went by just MetroStars, with no city, state, or regional geographic name attached to it, a rarity in American sports. The MetroStars bottomed out in 1999 with a record of 7–25 ... -
The MetroStars club finished first in the Eastern Conference
In 2000: The MetroStars club has a turnaround season, finishing first in the Eastern Conference and reaching the semi-finals of both the playoffs and the U.S. Open Cup. Adolfo Valencia scores 21 goals. Clint Mathis joins the club and becomes a fan favorite. -
MetroStars participated in its first international competition – The Copa Merconorte
In 2001: The club participates in its first international competition, the Copa Merconorte, but fails to advance from the group stage. Rodrigo Faria is the top scorer with 11 goals. Zambrano is replaced by Alfonso Mondelo as head coach. -
The MetroStars reaches the U.S Open Cup Final
In 2003: The MetroStars club reaches its first U.S. Open Cup final, but loses to Chicago Fire. Clint Mathis is the top scorer with 10 goals. Tim Howard leaves the club and joins Manchester United. -
Eddie Gaven – youngest player to score a goal in MLS history
In 2004: The club signs French legend Youri Djorkaeff and reaches the quarter-finals of the playoffs. Amado Guevara and John Wolyniec share the top scorer title with 10 goals each. Eddie Gaven becomes the youngest player to score a goal in MLS history at 16 years old.
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
MetroStars History
The Metrostars history began in 1996 when the Metrostars team joined Major League Soccer (MLS) as one of the league’s original ten clubs. Originally owned by Metromedia, the Metrostars soccer club played home matches at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The team quickly gained attention for its roster of international stars like Tab Ramos, Roberto Donadoni, and Tony Meola, who helped establish the team’s early identity in American soccer.
In their first few seasons, the Metrostars soccer struggled to find consistency, often falling short in playoff runs despite strong individual performances. Between 1996 and 2001, they made several playoff appearances but could not progress past the conference semifinals. However, the franchise began to shift direction in 2002 when Bob Bradley, a former U.S. Men’s National Team coach, took over as head coach.
Stars Achievements
Under Bradley’s leadership, the Metrostars team enjoyed its most successful era, reaching three consecutive Eastern Conference Championships from 2003 to 2005. Though they narrowly missed out on the MLS Cup, this period was crucial in building the Metrostars soccer reputation as a serious contender. Bradley’s coaching also helped develop future stars and bring a new level of professionalism to the squad.
Off the field, the Metrostars team saw growing fan engagement across the New York–New Jersey area. The club became a symbol of the region’s soccer passion, with a loyal fan base that stood by the team during both triumphs and setbacks. In 2006, the franchise was purchased by Red Bull GmbH and rebranded as the New York Red Bulls, marking the end of the Metrostars history but beginning a new chapter for the same passionate organization.
Among their key achievements, the Metrostars soccer legacy includes multiple playoff appearances, strong performances in the U.S. Open Cup, and the development of several players who went on to represent the U.S. national team. The spirit of the Metrostars team continues to influence the club’s identity today, serving as the foundation for what has become one of MLS’s most enduring franchises.
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Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history