In 1997: The club signs Antony de Ávila and Mike Sorber as their new additions. Savarese scores 14 goals again. Queiroz leaves the club and is replaced by Carlos Alberto Parreira as head coach. The club finishes fifth in the Eastern Conference and ninth overall in the league. They fail to qualify for the playoffs, but they reach the semi-finals of the U.S. Open Cup, where they lose to Dallas Burn.