The MetroStars departed Friday evening for a preseason trip to Italy that will conclude on Tuesday, March 5. The team will train daily at the Azzurra s.a.s. complex in Coverciano in nearby Florence, Italy. The location is the home of the training center for the Italian National Soccer Team.

The team is scheduled to play a list of revised opponents such as Rot Weiss Zurich (Switzerland) on February 24 and Perugia on February 27. The team is also talking to several other local clubs to set up games before they leave March 5 to New York/New Jersey.

The current first team players not making the trip are midfielder/forward Clint Mathis and goalkeeper Tim Howard, who will both join the national team on Monday in Seattle, Washington for the upcoming March 3rd friendly against Honduras.

2001 ookie of the Year forward Rodrigo Faria officially rejoined the team last night in time for the trip to Italy. Faria's arrival was complicated by a mailing delay of his visa in Brazil.

Midfielder Winston Griffiths has left the team to return to his native Jamaica.

The team expects several more players to join them in the coming days in Italy.