July 9, 2001

Raleigh, N.C. - Five former Wolfpack soccer players are currently playing in Major League Soccer this summer. Shaker Asad, Dario Brose, Roy Lassiter, Pablo Mastroeni and Tab Ramos are all performing well in the U.S.'s top soccer league.

Enjoying the most success this season in the MLS is 1996 grad Pablo Mastroeni. Mastroeni is a vital part of the league's top team, the Miami Fusion. Miami holds the top record in the MLS, 11-2-3, and is nine points better than anybody in the Eastern Division. Mastroeni, who has been named the Fusion's top defender the past two seasons, has started 15 games and is fourth on the team in minutes played with 1,370. He has also scored two goals this season.

One of the most recognizable US players of all-time, Tab Ramos, is playing for the NY/NJ MetroStars. After battling injuries the past two seasons, Ramos has started all 15 games this year. Ramos is tied for first on the squad with five assists. The MetroStars are second in the East with a record of 8-6-3.

The most recent NC State alum to jump to the MLS is Shaker Asad who played for the Pack from 1997-99. Asad, a third round pick of the New England Revolution, is in his second season with the Revolution. He has appeared in 13 games this season, including seven starts, and has recorded his first career goal and assist. New England is currently third in the East with a record of 4-8-4.

The all-time leading scorer in MLS history, Roy Lassiter, is currently playing for last year's MLS champion Kansas City Wizards. Lassiter has started 12 games this season for the 7-9-1 Wizards, and has scored two goals.

Dario Brose, who played in the 2000 MLS All-Star game, has only appeared in one game this season due to a hip flexor.

MLS will hold its annual All-Star game July 28 at San Jose, Calif.