Notable games that year were exhibitions against Danish club Viborg FF and a game featuring a team of several former New York Cosmos arsenal jersey players. Other notable Imperials players that year were MetroStars back-up goalkeeper Zach Thornton (4 games) and MetroStars midfielder Cristian da Silva (2 games). The 1997 Season saw the Imperials continue their tenure at FDU’s University Stadium. Imperials players of note that year were Rob Johnson and Petter Villegas, both of which would go on to play for the MetroStars, and Altimont Butler, rb leipzig jersey who would play for the San Jose Clash. The Western Pennsylvania Hockey League paid and traded players and brought hockey to cities for the first time.