For nearly two decades, the Curse of Caricola hung over the New York Red Bulls. And it was on this day, April 20 in 1996, when it all began.
The Red Bulls, then known as the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, hosted the New England Revolution at Giants Stadium for their home opener in the inaugural MLS season. The match before 46,826 fans seemed destined for a 0-0 draw, but then defender Nicola Caricola bundled home a cross into his own net.
The Revolution emerged with a 1-0 win, and the legend was born. The below MLS Insider episode goes in-depth, if you want the full scope and dread it caused.
Eventually, though, the Curse of Caricola ran its course. The Red Bulls snapped it in 2013 with their first of three Supporters’ Shields in six years, helped along by a 6-0-2 stretch to end that season.
MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup titles remain elusive for this MLS original, but Caricola’s error no longer haunts their time at Red Bull Arena.
