By Will Kuhns, Senior Editor
D.C. United added Colombian forward Henry Zambrano Thursday. Zambrano, who turned 29 a week ago, played 14 games for the MetroStars in 1999, totaling three goals and three assists and moved on to Colorado, where he tallied two goals and four assists in 18 appearances in 2000. He had been on loan from MLS to Colombian club Millonarios.
Zambrano re-signed with MLS and was claimed by Los Angeles Wednesday afternoon after five other teams neglected to select him. United will forgo remaining ''future considerations'' from the Chris Albright trade (1/11/02) in exchange for Zambrano.
D.C. United Coach Ray Hudson acknowledged that Zambrano alone will not cure their offensive woes (the team has not scored in 531 minutes), but he said options were limited in acquiring a capable forward. Zambrano's first MLS goal helped the MetroStars end a 12-game losing streak in 1999.
''In my opinion, [Zambrano] had two bad experiences with the teams here in MLS,'' said. ''They were not the best suited for his style of play. We're hoping he can find his old fizz … He has a chance to make an impression on us for the remainder of the season and if we like how he performs, we'll keep him next year.''
Hudson said United talked with several teams, including Columbus, about forwards in already in the league, but found that they were not looking to make a trade.
''We think he should fit in quickly with the rest of our South American players and we would hope that a player of his experience will finish the good chances he gets. Even though he's not known as scorer — he's a mobile forward, a link player — it is too late in the day to get a big, dominant goalscoring forward. We can't find him, at least.