One American is gone and another American appears set to step into the starting lineup at French club Metz. David Regis, a member of the 1998 and 2002 U.S. World Cup teams, was one of four veterans released by Metz after the Lorraine club was officially relegated to the Second Division. French administrative body DNCG accepted Nice's appeal and allowed it to move up the First Division. The decision dropped Metz (second-to-last in the 2001-02 First Division) to the Second Division after 35 years at the top flight. Frederic Meyrieu, Gerald Baticle et Tressor Moreno were also given free transfers. Regis, 33, spent four years at Metz after one year in Germany at Karlsruhe, where he was discovered by then-U.S. national team coach Steve Sampson. Meanwhile, Metz signee Oguchi Onyewu had an assist in its 2-1 win over Belgian powerhouse Anderlecht, its first game since it was condemned to go down. Onyewu, 20, left Clemson University after his sophomore season. The former U.S. U-17 and U-20 star started in the back for Metz against Anderlecht and played 84 minutes.