MetroStars GM Nick Sakiewicz, team owners Anschutz Entertainment Group and officials from the town of Harrison, N.J., met last week in Los Angeles and plan to move ahead on building the 25,000-seat, $60 million stadium. The target for the opening is June 2005.

"Their (Harrison's) mettle was really tested when the state decided not to participate in our project," Sakiewicz said. "I would go to battle with the people of Harrison on any day of the week. They really stepped up."

The MetroStars hope to break ground in December. Sakiewicz said there were "five pretty significant legal documents that are being haggled over right now. ... We're pretty confident that there is about 60 days worth of legal work here."