1996 New York/New Jersey Metrostars Roster
Team Record: 12-15 (SO: 3-2) - 39 points
Finishing 3rd in MLS's Eastern Conference
Postseason: 1-2
Lost Conference Semifinal
Coach: Eddie Firmani (1-5, SO: 2-0)
Coach: Carlos Queiroz (11-10, SO: 1-2)
Location: East Rutherford, New Jersey
Attendance: 382,360, Avg. 23,898 in 16 home dates
The New York/New Jersey Metrostars of Major League Soccer ended the 1996 season with a record of 12 wins and 15 losses, with a 3-2 showing in shootouts for 39 points finishing third in MLS's Eastern Conference. The team compiled a postseason mark of 1-2.
The Metrostars gave up 49 goals, the lowest total in the circuit. New York/New Jersey netted 48 goals. Giovanni Savarese scored 13 goals for the team, while Antony De Avila and A.J. Wood tallied five or more as well. Tab Ramos recorded 10 assists. Tony Meola topped the squad with 14 wins and a team-best 0.87 goals against average, best among goalkeepers with enough qualifying appearances.
Eddie Firmani and Carlos Queiroz coached the team. The 1996 New York/New Jersey Metrostars lost in the Conference Semifinal.
Click on column headings to sort.
| Player | Pos. | Birth Date | Height | Weight | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nidal Baba | M | August 16, 1972 | 5'11" | 190 | Houston, TX |
| Danny Barber | M | May 17, 1971 | 5'8" | 160 | Bellflower, CA |
| Chris Brauchle | M | May 24, 1967 | 5'10" | 165 | |
| Nicola Caricola | D | February 13, 1963 | 6'0" | 160 | Bari, Italy |
| Cristian da Silva | D | February 3, 1971 | 5'11" | 172 | Rosario, Argentina |
| Antony De Avila | F | December 21, 1963 | 5'3" | 135 | Santa Marta, Colombia |
| Roberto Donadoni | M | September 9, 1963 | 5'9" | 160 | Bergamo, Italy |
| Ted Gillen | D | August 16, 1968 | 5'10" | 160 | Kearny, NJ |
| Rhett Harty | D | March 8, 1970 | 6'1" | 175 | Pasadena, CA |
| Ian Hennessey | M | January 10, 1967 | 6'0" | 175 | |
| Ruben Hernandez | M | February 19, 1965 | 5'4" | 145 | Barranquilla, Colombia |
| Ken Hesse | F | February 3, 1972 | 6'0" | 170 | Denver, CO |
| Mirsad Huseinovic | M | November 26, 1968 | 5'11" | 180 | Plav, Yugoslavia |
| Rob Johnson | F | February 10, 1973 | 5'11" | 175 | Freehold, NJ |
| Miles Joseph | M | May 2, 1974 | 5'9" | 165 | West Springfield, MA |
| Louis Ken-Kwofie | M | February 6, 1969 | 5'11" | 175 | |
| Matt Knowles | D | October 7, 1970 | 6'1" | 190 | Philadelphia, PA |
| Mickey Kydes | M | July 25, 1964 | 6'0" | 180 | Norwalk, CT |
| Manny Lagos | M | June 11, 1971 | 6'0" | 165 | St. Paul, MN |
| Stan Lembryk | M | August 8, 1969 | 5'8" | 160 | Clifton, NJ |
| Brent Longenecker | M | February 6, 1972 | 5'11" | 165 | Manheim, PA |
| Tony Meola | G | February 21, 1969 | 6'1" | 205 | Belleville, NJ |
| Martin Munnelly | M | November 11, 1969 | 5'11" | 165 | New York, NY |
| Omid Namazi | D,M | December 8, 1964 | 5'10" | 165 | Provo, UT |
| Tab Ramos | M | September 21, 1966 | 5'7" | 140 | Montevideo, Uruguay |
| Andrew Restrepo | D | October 8, 1970 | 6'2" | 175 | Bridgeport, CT |
| Travis Rinker | M | May 4, 1968 | 6'1" | 200 | Huntington, NY |
| Edmundo Rodriguez | M | April 22, 1970 | 6'4" | 205 | Guadalajara, Mexico |
| Giovanni Savarese | F | July 14, 1970 | 6'0" | 180 | Caracas, Venezuela |
| Damian Silvera | M | July 27, 1974 | 5'8" | 160 | Flushing, NY |
| Zach Thornton | G | October 10, 1973 | 6'3" | 230 | Baltimore, MD |
| Chris Unger | M | March 4, 1968 | 5'9" | 160 | Brooklyn, NY |
| Peter Vermes | D | November 21, 1966 | 6'1" | 175 | Willingboro, NJ |
| Petter Villegas | M | November 15, 1975 | 5'7" | 140 | Esmereldas, Ecuador |
| A.J. Wood | F | August 17, 1973 | 6'2" | 195 | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Jeff Zaun | D | April 2, 1971 | 6'0" | 165 | Orange, NJ |
