The MetroStars filled their final two foreign player slots April 3, when MLS allocated the New York/New Jersey club a pair of Brazilians: defensive midfielder Guido and central defender Joao Luis.
Guido is a 21-year-old who played with the MetroStars on their preseason tour of Italy in March. The 5-8 midfielder last played for Sao Paulo in Brazil, where current MetroStars coach Carlos Alberto Parreira was then working. The MetroStars hope to have him available for the April 5 match at D.C. United.
“Guido is a very strong technical player,” said Parreira. “He will help our team win the ball and keep possession and will also be effective going forward.”
Joao Luis is a 6-0, 170-pound central defender who began his career with Brazilian club Fluminense and most recently played for Vasco da Gama.
“He is a tall, strong defender who will add a lot of experience to our defense,” Parreira said of the 25-year-old Joao Luis. “[He] can help our team to build from the back and is also a player capable of joining the attack himself. He should be an excellent player in MLS.”
Joao Luis is expected to join the Metros in time for their home opener against New England on April 12.