The Herald-News from Passaic, New Jersey • D4

Red Black Extra PAGE D4 Quote of the day "If you are talking about the best 11, 1 don't think there is much between the teams." Man. U. manager Alex Ferguson on the difference between Chelsea and his team. NEWS Tuesday, August 9, 2005 Dallas stadium Metros' model Herald News By IVES GALARCEP Herald News IV I w-m and tax dollars you are really accomplishing something. "That is what is going to happen in Frisco and what will happen in Harrison." Pizza Hut Park, the crown jewel of a 145-acre complex that includes 17 soccer fields, is an $80 million project that is scheduled to be finished in November.

The stadium will host the MLS Cup Final on Nov. 13. The complex is different from the other current MLS soccer stadiums, as well as the Harrison project, because of the 17 soccer fields, which will be used by the area's youth soccer communities as well as other soccer teams and leagues that pass through for various tournaments. It is this aspect of the Frisco project that has officials confident that the city made the right decision in providing $65 million in public funding for the project. "I wouldn't be surprised if by 2010 there are going to be some players develop on these fields that will play in the World Cup," said Hunt.

"I'm not predicting who will they would be, whether it's boys or girls or both, but I would like to see those type of players develop in this area." Whether it is developing players or communities, Pizza Hut Park will receive plenty of attention in the coming months and years, and its success or failure could help determine just how strong Major League Soccer becomes in the future. Reach Ives Galarcep at (973) 569-7077 or galarcepnorthjersey.com FRISCO, Texas Wondering what it will be like in two years when the MetroStars plan to open their stadium in Harrison? All you had to do was come to this blossoming town and its new soccer venue to realize the impact a new facility could have on the banks of the Passaic River. FC Dallas' Pizza Hut Park opened here on Saturday and the buzz around this fast-growing town was a palpable one. The venue wasn't even complete (delays have pushed back construction of several sections of the facility) but a crowd of 16,750 still filled the 15,000 seat facility. (Capacity will be 21,000 when it is finished.) "I think this stadium will be another stamp in the succession of stamps that are going to help Major League Soccer succeed," said FC Dallas owner Lamar Hunt.

The cities lining up to be considered for MLS expansion will be watching closely to see if Pizza Hut Park can deliver on its promise of being a financial boon for this area. FC Dallas officials are extremely confident that their new home will deliver. "There's no question about the impact Pizza Hut Park will have on this community," said FC Dallas president John Wagner. "Obviously it is a vital to the growth of FC Dallas, but we are confident that the economic impact on this area will prove this project to be a worthwhile investment and a model for VERNON BRYANTThe Associated Press Pizza Hut Park, FC Dallas' new home, is the centerpiece of a complex that has 17 community soccer fields. The MetroStars expect their facility in Harrison to be equally impressive.

other communities to follow." Harrison is surely looking. More than the Home Depot Center in Carson, or Crew Stadium in Columbus, Pizza Hut Park is closer to being the type of redevelopment catalyst New Jersey officials are hoping the new MetroStars stadium could be in 2007. "It isn't just about a stadium, it is about creating an environment," said Harrison Mayor Ray McDonough. "We will have retail and residential building up around it and combining it with the atmosphere that a place like the Harrison stadium can provide should make for a great place to live and to visit." "Stadiums like Pizza Hut Park and the stadium in Harrison are going to pioneer the way people look at sports stadiums," said AEG New York president Nick Sakiewicz. "When you can take a piece of land that isn't being used and turn it into an attractive environment that creates jobs and generates revenue Little change at top CORINTHIANS FALLS AGAIN RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil Getting to the top of the Brazilian standings may be easier than staying there for Corinthians.

Sao Caetano handed the Sao Paulo club its second loss in eight days on Saturday, leaving Corinthians atop the standings with 34 points but with doubts. Dimba tapped in a cross from Edilson two minutes and Paulo Miranda completed the scoring from long range at 41 minutes to humble Corinthians, which climbed atop the standings with a midweek victory over Coritiba, its sixth victory in seven games. Corinthians loss to Santos 4-2 last week. -The Associated Press Galarcep: Gaven hasn't kicked funk SANG TANThe Associated Press Thierry Henry, left, and Arsenal will have to be at their best to have any chance to dethrone William Gallas, right and Chelsea in the English Premier League this season. Chelsea remains ahead of pack in Premier League Continued from D1 when Ante Razov and Youri Djorkaeff are playing through injuries and not when Amado Guevara can battle for 90 minutes on a knee surgically repaired just two weeks earlier.

It is starting to look less like fatigue and more like a lack of confidence these days. No longer is the carefree teenager with the long hair just playing and having fun. You see the pressure on Gaven's face and you wonder if he is letting it get to him. So what can you do with a youngster with all the talent in the world who is struggling so badly? Do you keep trotting him out there hoping he will wake up? Can the Metros afford to wait much longer when the teams they are chasing in the playoff race (D.C. United and Kansas City) are looking stronger by the week? Can Bradley justify starting an ineffective Gaven over and over when Galvan Rey and Mike Magee have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks? Maybe Gaven isn't hungry enough.

Maybe the shy and quiet kid from Hamilton just doesn't have that desire that turns prospects into prodigies and transforms boys into boy wonders. If the player who came into the season regarded as the league's best teenager really wants it, if he really has the fire to be a star, he has his chance to show it now. For Gaven, his chance to turn things around starts on Wednesday night in D.C, fitting because it was at RFK Stadium two years ago when he first flashed that immense potential by scoring a game-winning goal that is easily one of the most memorable in Metros history. Gaven has to turn things around eventually, he is too talented not to, but if Gaven doesn't wake up soon, it could be the Metros playoff hopes that are history. A second look For the second straight MLS match, Youri Djorkaeff showed why he deserves consideration as one of the league's best off-season acquisitions.

His skill, determination and charisma make the MetroStars a far different team when he is on the field. His presence frees up space for Amado Guevara and his ability to deliver the perfect pass at any moment keeps offensive players running constantly with hopes of converting one of them into a goal. He helped serve as the catalyst for one of the gutsiest halves of soccer the Metros have played all season. The team was ripe for the beating after Bradley was forced to use all three substitutions with 25 minutes left in a 2-2 match. You had Razov and Djorkaeff nursing injuries and Guevara in his first match since knee surgery.

You also had Seth Stammler in his first pro start, trying to overcome a rough first-half that saw him beaten on both Carlos Ruiz goals. All four players stepped up, as did midfielder Michael Bradley, to help the Metros escape Pizza Hut Park with a point. The question is whether the Metros sacrificed too much for that point. They travel to D.C. to face United on Wednesday night and it would be hard to imagine both Djorkaeff and Guevara being able to play 90 minutes again just three days later.

The potential absence of Mark Lisi means that either Galvan Rey or Magee will get the nod against a D.C. team that has been playing its best soccer of the season. More pressing questions lie in the back, where Carlos Mendes joined the cast of injured defenders that already includes Jeff Parke, Tim Regan, Tim Ward and Ryan Suarez. Jeff Agoos and Seth Stammler did well as a central defense tandem on Saturday but Danilo DaSilva looked miscast as a right back. The team needs Ward or Regan back in a hurry or it could be in serious trouble in the coming weeks.

Reach Ives Galarcep at (973) 569-7077 or galarcepnorthjersey.com enced Dutch international goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar. Manager Alex Ferguson has had a frustrating two seasons without a league title. The veteran Scottish manager, who led the Reds to eight league championships in 1 1 seasons, now has new owners watching his every move. Malcolm Glazer, owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, bought the club and took it off the stock market. He put his sons, Joel, Avi and Bryan, on the board of directors.

United finished third last season, 18 points behind Chelsea. Yet Ferguson is convinced his starting team matches Mourinho's. "I don't think there's a great deal between the two," he said. "Chelsea had a fantastic season, an unusual season, and one which you wouldn't think they would be able to replicate. "Jose Mourinho has brought one or two more players designed to make them better in Europe.

However, if you are talking about the best 11, 1 don't think there is much between the teams." Everton finished fourth after just avoiding relegation the previous year, but manager David Moyes will do well to keep the Toffees so high this season. For the first time since 1970-71, Everton is playing in the Champions League but Moyes has been unable to attract any new big names to boost his roster. tained star midfielder Steven Gerrard, but the defending Champions League winners need to rebound from a miserable fifth-place finish in the Premier League, 37 points behind Chelsea. Mourinho, whose team won the title by 12 points last season, appears to be the best prepared. He has at least two top quality players at every position.

Who to pick? Joe Cole or new arrival Shaun Wright-Phillips on the right wing? Damien Duff or Ar-jen Robben on the left? Hernan Crespo or Di-dier Drogba up front? John Terry and Robert Huth in central defense or William Gallas and Ricardo Carvalho? Peter Cech or Carlo Cud-icini in goal? Geremi or Glen Johnson at right back? For the first time in nine seasons, Arsenal will be without midfield general Vieira, who has moved to Juventus. Vieira helped the Gunners win three league titles and four FA Cups. Manager Arsene Wenger missed out on signing Brazilian star Julio Baptista, who went to Real Madrid instead. "I cannot replace Patrick Vieira because everyone expects me to sign another Patrick Vieira," Wenger said. "We have to find a different system to play and not expect we'll find another Patrick Vieira." Manchester United's new signings include South Korean star Park Ji-sung and experi By ROBERT MILLWARD The Associated Press LONDON Chelsea's biggest challenge in defending its Premier League title won't be beating Arsenal or Manchester United.

The tough part will be picking the Blues' first team. Jose Mourinho's squad is so deep with talent that he could realistically field two separate rosters capable of winning the championship. "People have seen Chelsea play with two teams and you couldn't say at the moment which is the better one," Mourinho said during the club's preseason tour of the United States. "We have one of the best squads in Europe. I don't know which team is the second one." Backed by the unlimited funds of billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich, Mourinho guided the Blues to their first league title in 50 years last season.

The "Special One," as he called himself, also won Champions League, UEFA Cup and Portuguese titles with FC Porto. Chelsea's main rivals may find it even harder to keep up this season. Arsenal lost Patrick Vieira to Juventus. Man United, under new American ownership, appears to be in internal disarray with key players Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rio Ferdinand squabbling on and off the field. Liverpool re I Red Black.