In a blockbuster April 2 trade, the MetroStars obtained Ecuadorian striker Eduardo “El Tanque” Hurtado from the Los Angeles Galaxy in exchange for recently allocated midfielder Wellington Sanchez. “Eduardo is a proven goalscorer,” said MetroStars head coach Alfonso Mondelo. “He provides our forwards with dynamic power and speed.” Hurtado, 30, was named to the MLS AT&T Best 11 in 1996, when he finished second in the league in scoring with 21 goals and seven assists. He struggled offensively in 1997, but has already tallied once in 1998 and garnered an assist. “With Tab Ramos back in the lineup shortly, and Miles Joseph due to return soon, we found an overabundance of talent at the midfield position,” said MetroStars GM Charlie Stillitano. “This move gives us much more balance. Eduardo has the ability to dominate the front line, and paired with Giovanni Savarese will create an impressive scoring threat.” The Galaxy loses a large portion of its offense and a towering presence on the frontline, but it gains a talented young midfielder in Sanchez, the 1997 Ecuadorian Player of the Year. “I wish Eduardo the very best and I hope he can regain the form he once showed,” said Galaxy head coach Octavio Zambrano. “I still think he is a good player, but I felt that our club needed to move in another direction.” Zambrano is eager to incorporate Sanchez, who made just one nine-minute appearance in his brief stint with the MetroStars into the team’s playing scheme. One of the factors that impressed Zambrano most about Sanchez was the midfielder’s ability to adjust to different defensive and offensive systems. “Wellington gives us an option in the midfield, I think we may have found the solution to Mauricio’s [Cienfuegos, suffering from back spasms] absence, and Wellington is also a very versatile player like [Martin] Machon, who can play different positions within the midfield,” said Zambrano. “His style of soccer fits in well with our team philosophy.” Both players are expected to be with their new teams in time for games on April 4. Hurtado will make his MetroStars debut in Kansas City against the Wizards, while Sanchez and his new Galaxy teammates will play at Colorado.