[Frank Cunha]

Metros to play Boavista in Elizabeth
May 3, 2004 (MetroStars.com Press Release)
The MetroStars announced today that the team will play a friendly match against Boavista F.C. of the Portuguese Super League as the kickoff to the 25th Annual Portugal Day Festival. The game will be played on May 26th at Williams Field in Elizabeth, N.J. at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Newark Festival and game are being run by the Bernardino Coutinho Foundation.

"The MetroStars are delighted to be a part of the game which will kickoff the Portuguese Festival in the Ironbound," said MetroStars President and General Manager Nick Sakiewicz. "This match serves the dual purpose of both giving our team a friendly match against a well known Portuguese first division opponent, and also bringing the team into the community that supports it. This is a great opportunity for our organization all the way around."

The Newark Festival, widely regarded as the largest ethnic festival in the state and largest Portuguese feast of its kind in the world will run from May 26th until June 13th with a variety of programs highlighting all aspects of Portuguese culture. Attendance this year is expected to top one million people for all events combined.

Boavista F.C. currently has 44 points in league play, which puts them in a tie for eighth place with one match remaining on May 9 against Marítimo. Currently their roster includes Ricardo Sousa and Frechaut, who are both members of the Portuguese National Team player pool. Sousa is also currently tied as the fourth leading goal scorer in the league.