The Tampa Bay Mutiny has traded midfielder Mauricio Ramos and a 2001 draft pick to the New England Revolution for a 2000 season allocation The Mutiny says it will use the 2000 allocation to acquire either a top-flight foreign or American attacking player. “The league has assured us that, via the allocation, a substantial amount of money will be made available in order for us to seek and acquire the type of player, specifically an impact striker, we need to move to the next level,” Tampa Bay president Nick Sakiewicz said. “This was a difficult decision to make because we like Mauricio, and he’s given a lot to our organization.” “However, once Carlos Valderrama returned, our midfield had the equivalent of two starting quarterbacks, two players who played the same position. We need another weapon to pair with Raul Diaz Arce up front, a wide receiver to Valderrama’s quarterback, so to speak. Mauricio’s value and our need for a striker are the reasons behind this deal.” Ramos, a native of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, came to the Mutiny in 1998 from The Strongest as a marquee player allocation.