MetroStars Hire New Coach

Octavio Zambrano, whose firing this season ignited a run that carried the Los Angeles Galaxy to a berth in the MLS Cup, was hired to coach the New York-New Jersey MetroStars on Monday.

Zambrano received a two-year contract that won't start until Jan. 1.

While the team refused to disclose terms of the deal, a source close to the league told The Associated Press that Zambrano would earn about $140,000 annually.

Zambrano replaces Bora Milutinovic, who resigned shortly after the MetroStars finished the season with a 7-25 record, the worst in the team's four-year history.

"In Octavio we have a coach who has proven he can win in this league and play attractive soccer, and a man who has an outstanding track record of uncovering young talent," general manager Charlie Stillitano said after hiring the team's sixth head coach.

Stillitano said 20 people were considered for the job, with the four finalists being Zambrano, MetroStars assistant Fernando Clavijo, Rutgers coach Bob Reasso and St. John's coach Dave Masur.

Both Reasso and Masur were content to remain in the college ranks, and Zambrano was picked over Clavijo because of his experience both on the field and working with management, Stillitano said.

Clavijo, who had been running the team on an interim basis since Milutinovic resigned, was hired Monday as coach of the New England Revolution.

Zambrano posted a 39-18 record coaching the Galaxy from 1997-99. His team in 1998 scored an MLS-record 85 goals, allowed 44 and finished the season with a league-best 24-8 record.

Zambrano was fired this season after Los Angeles won two of its first five games, both in shootouts.

Former UCLA coach Sigi Schmid took over and Los Angeles won 15 of its first 19 games under him. The Galaxy lost the MLS Cup 2-0 to D.C. United, but Schmid was chosen the league's coach of the year.

"This is an exceptional opportunity, and I embrace the challenges that lie ahead," Zambrano said.

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