Brazilian defender Branco, a veteran of the 1986, 1990 and 1994 World Cups, will arrive in New York tomorrow to meet with MLS officials about the possibility of playing for the MetroStars, the team and MLS confirmed July 16. If Branco and the league reach a contract agreement, the 33-year-old would be reunited with Carlos Alberto Parreira, Brazil’s coach at World Cup ’94. “We are very pleased that the league has taken our petition for player assistance into consideration,” said MetroStars GM Charlie Stillitano. “Obviously, we think a player of Branco’s stature would help us on the field and at the gate.” Branco has been capped 78 times for his country, and has played professionally in Italy (Brescia, Genoa), England (Middlesbrough), Portugal (Porto), and Brazil (Fluminense, Internacional). “I have known Branco for many years and I believe he would be a great player for the MetroStars and the league,” said Parreira, whose team ended a five-game losing streak by thumping Colorado 4-1 July 13. “His experience would go a long way in helping the young American players and the quality of his play will help everyone. The fans would be getting a chance to see one of Brazil’s truly great players.”
Five Players Fined
MLS has fined five players for incidents during the weekend of July 12-13, the league announced July 16. Marco Etcheverry of D.C. United was fined $1,000 for excessive dissent following his send-off in a July 12 game against Los Angeles. Teammate Ben Iroha was fined $500 for failure to immediately leave the field after being ejected from the game against the Galaxy. D.C. defender Jeff Agoos was fined $1,000 for excessive dissent toward the referee. Tampa Bay midfielder Carlos Valderrama was fined $1,000 for his “violent assault and other improper conduct aginst San Jose Clash defender Arnold Cruz” July 13. Danny Pena of the Los Angeles Galaxy was fined $1,000 and suspended for one game for a violent tackle against D.C. defender Eddie Pope.MLS finalizes playoff dates
The dates for the 1997 MLS playoffs have been announced, along with a tentative TV schedule, the league announced July 16. The quarterfinal and semifinal series will be played in a 1/1/1 format, giving the higher seeded team the home-field advantage for games one and three of each series. Here is the current playoff schedule, with matchups and times to be announced at a later date:| Date | Game (Time) | TV |
| Saturday, October 4 | Quarterfinal #1 | — |
| Saturday, October 4 | Quarterfinal #2 | — |
| Sunday,. October 5 | Quarterfinal #3 (1:00 p.m. ET) | ESPN2 |
| Sunday, October 5 | Quarterfinal #4 | — |
| Wednesday, October 8 | Quarterfinal #5 (10:30 p.m. ET) | ESPN2 |
| Wednesday, October 8 | Quarterfinal #6 | — |
| Thursday, October 9 | Quarterfinal #7 | — |
| Thursday, October 9 | Quarterfinal #8 | — |
| Saturday, October 11 | Quarterfinal #9 | — |
| Saturday, October 11 | Quarterfinal #10 | — |
| Sunday, October 12 | Quarterfinal #11 (1:00 p.m. ET) | ESPN |
| Sunday, October 12 | Quarterfinal #12 | — |
| Wednesday, October 15 | Semifinal #1 | — |
| Thursday, October 16 | Semifinal #2 (8:00 p.m. ET) | ESPN |
| Saturday, October 18 | Semifinal #3 | — |
| Sunday, October 19 | Semifinal #4 (8:30 p.m. ET) | ESPN2 |
| Wednesday, October 22 | Semifinal #5 (TBD) | ESPN2 |
| Wednesday, October 22 | Semifinal #6 | — |
| Sunday, October 26 | MLS Cup ’97 (3:30 p.m. ET) | ABC |