The Tampa Bay Mutiny has traded all-star defender Steve Pittman to Kansas City in exchange for forward Alan Prampin and a conditional pick in the Feb. 3 MLS supplemental draft.
As of today, Tampa Bay will received the Wizards’ third-round pick, but the pick will become a second-round one if Kansas City completes a trade with another MLS team and receives a higher draft pick as a part of that deal.
“I am not quick to make trades,” said Tampa Bay GM Nick Sakiewicz, “particularly one involving the caliber of a player such as Steve Pittman. But this one was made in the best interest of the franchise and we believe all parties will benefit from it.”
Pittman, 29, anchored the Mutiny defense last season and scored the game-winning goal in the inaugural MLS all-star game. He has played professionally with Dundee and Partick Thistle (both of the Scottish Premier Division at the time), as well as the APSL’s Ft. Lauderdale Strikers and the MSL’s Wichita Wings.
Kansas City head coach Ron Newman likes Pittman’s defensive style: “He’s aggressive, tenacious, and works hard on both sides of the ball. He’s a key for us not only in his versatility on defense, but in his ability to attack without compromising himself in the back.”
“This is a great opportunity for me,” said Pittman from Scotland, where he is vacationing. “Everyone knows how good the Wizards offense is and I think the defense can be just as good. Hopefully, I can help the Wizards win some games and we can make another run at the MLS Cup.”
The Mutiny receive a two-time NCAA all-America in Prampin, who starred at SMU from 1990-93. He was a valuable sub for Kansas City last season, appearing in 14 matches and scoring three goals.
“We’re sorry to see Steve leave,” said new Mutiny coach John Kowalski, “but with the return to health of Mike DuHaney [who had a knee injury in 1996] and the solid play of Adam Frye last year, we believe we are well-stocked at the position for the future. We are also excited about getting a player like Prampin, who can perform a number of functions for us, both up front and in the midfield.”