GIOVANNI SAVARESE SE UNE A LOS BROOKLYN KNIGHTS COMO ASESOR TECNICO

The Brooklyn Knights of the United Soccer Leagues (USL) and the Metropolitan Oval Foundation announced that Giovanni Savarese, one of the most popular players in Major League Soccer history, has become technical advisor to their coaching staffs.  Savarese will work with Joe Balsamo, coach of the Knights PDL team, and Carlo Acquista, Met Oval Director of Coaching.  He will also train one of the Met Oval youth teams.

“We are very pleased to have Gio join us,” said Knights Chairman Chuck Jacob.  “He brings a lot of experience and positive energy both on and off the field.”

“His international experience, technical ability and teaching ability are going to benefit every player he reaches in the club,” said Met Oval President Jim Vogt.  “He knows the New York area and is well respected in the soccer community for his technical knowledge of the game.”

Savarese, 37, is originally from and scored 10 goals in 30 matches for the Venezuelan national team.  He is best known, however, as the all-time leading goalscorer for the MetroStars of MLS, now the Red Bulls.  He also played in and .  He was recently director of the Red Bulls’ youth program and continues to be associated with MLS, as well as commencing a broadcast career on ESPN Espanol.

The Metropolitan Oval Foundation has appointed Carlo Acquista is its Director of Coaching. Acquista is also the head coach of St. Francis College’s soccer team as well the Oval’s U-16 boys’ squad.

A native of Whitestone, Queens, Acquista attended St. John’s University, where he excelled both academically and on the pitch for four solid years.

In 1996, the then freshman was part of the legendary Red Storm squad that conquered the NCAA National Championship. He was also a member of two Big East Championship teams during his tenure at St. John’s.

After his playing days were over, Acquista parlayed his talent and experience into an off-the-pitch career, first as a volunteer assistant coach at his alma mater. Other stints include assistant coaching duties at Hofstra University, as well the Brooklyn Knights PDL team.

Metropolitan Oval Foundation President Jim Vogt feels that Acquista was the perfect candidate for this position.

“Being a hometown guy from Queens, who went on to play for an NCAA champion at St. John’s and to coach at St. Francis, Carlo can connect with the city kids and give them the knowledge how to be as successful as him. It’s really a benefit to all the kids in the Met Oval program.”

As the Director of Coaching, Acquista will play a huge role in the Met Oval’s overall operations. His functions will include choosing all coaches for the Met Oval, including Brooklyn Knights teams. He will also oversee all coaching and training staff and supervise the organization’s soccer program.

The Metropolitan Oval, adjacent to 60-58 60^th Street in Maspeth, Queens, is the oldest soccer field in continuous use in the .  Since 1998, the Oval has been operated by the Foundation, a § 501(c)(3) not-for-profit serving youth soccer in New York City.