Secaucus, NJ (Monday, March 27, 2000)-The MetroStars have added Shep Messing as a member of the 2000 MetroStars broadcast team, it was announced today by general manager Nick Sakiewicz. Messing will be the voice "down-on the field" during all the MetroStars home games aired on The Madison Square Garden Networks this upcoming season.

"Shep is well known in the sport of soccer and will be a great addition to our broadcast team in 2000," said Sakiewicz. "As a former player, Shep will bring game savvy and a wealth of knowledge to every one of our broadcasts this season. He has worked for some of the top networks in the nation and I am excited that a person of his caliber will now be adding valuable insight to a broadcast team that already includes the talented and well versed Derek Rae and Tommy Smyth."

Messing was one of the premiere American soccer players in the mid-1970's to early 1980's. Messing was the goalkeeper for the New York Cosmos and had the pleasure of playing with the likes of world renowned Pele, Beckenbauer and Georgio Chinaglia. Messing has the distinct honor of being the first player to sign with the Major Indoor Soccer League when he joined the New York Arrows in 1978.

"I am looking forward to coming back to where it all began for me as a player," said Messing. "Being back on the sidelines at Giants Stadium, after all those wonderful moments with the Cosmos, is definitely exciting. I played with arguably the best soccer player of all-time and now I will have the honor of watching another of the world's greatest players-Lothar Matthaus up close and personal."

Following his stint with the Cosmos, Messing spent 6 years with the New York Arrows of the M.I.S.L., where he captured virtually every goalkeeping title. He led the Arrows to the M.I.S.L. Championship in each of the Leagues first four seasons. In 1993, Messing was inducted into the New York Sports Hall of Fame.

Currently, Messing is the President and CEO of Continental Sports Management, an international sports firm, managing over 100 athletes in 14 countries.

Courtesy MetroStars