Another blockbuster MLS trade was made Feb. 4, as D.C. United sent all-time MLS scoring leader Raul Diaz Arce to New England and the Revs sent U.S. national team defender Alexi Lalas to the MetroStars. To complete the three-way deal, D.C. United will receive New England’s first-round pick in the 1999 college draft and the Metros’ second-round pick, as well as future considerations. “Today’s trade is a major event in our club’s history,” said Revolution GM Brian O’Donovan. “Today’s move also clears room under the salary cap for the Revolution to acquire additional international stars in the coming weeks.” MetroStars GM Charlie Stillitano was also enthusiastic. “Alexi is obviously a wonderful addition to our team, and I think his leadership will be a tremendous asset,” he said. “The opportunity to acquire someone with Alexi’s extraordinary credentials doesn’t come along every day.” Lalas brings a wealth of experience with him to New York. He has won 91 caps with the U.S. national team, and has spent time overseas in the Italian Serie A and most recently in Ecuador. “Alexi will bring needed experience and a steady work rate to help solidify our defense,” MetroStars head coach Alfonso Mondelo explained. “We expect him to provide leadership for the young players we have and help them grow as professionals.” Lalas leaves New England after appearing in 55 of the Revs’ 64 games. He was the Revolution’s first marquee player allocation and a fan favorite in Foxboro. “Alexi, through his determined efforts on and off the field, has given the Revolution a solid foundation,” said O’Donovan. “He is truly one of American soccer’s greatest assets and we will always be grateful for his commitment to our team and our fans.” “[The trade] came as somewhat of a surprise,” Lalas admitted. “But these things happen in pro sports. I’ll miss the Revolution players, staff and fans who made my time in New England so enjoyable, both on and off the field. I’m proud to have been part of something very special in New England, and I wish them many years of success. “I look at this as a challenge, and an adventure. I am excited to be joining an organization that’s first class both on and off the field, and I look forward to leading the MetroStars to many championships.”

Revolution thrilled; United disappointed

The addition of Diaz Arce gives New England a potent scoring combo up front, as the Salvadoran striker will team with U.S. international Joe-Max Moore. “We are thrilled to have MLS’s greatest goalscorer on our team,” said New England head coach Thomas Rongen. “His devotion to fitness is matched only by his ability to score goals.” D.C. had been expected for some time to move either Diaz Arce or midfielder John Harkes in order to fit under the league’s salary cap. “We are extremely unhappy and disappointed to have to make this trade,” said D.C. United GM Kevin Payne. “As the leading goalscorer in the league, Raul has been one of the reasons why D.C. United won the first two MLS championships. In addition, he has proven to be a terrific individual off the field and he’ll be missed very much by everyone associated with D.C. United.” “We will certainly miss Raul’s contributions to D.C. United both on and off the field,” D.C. head coach Bruce Arena added. “Unfortunately, league business prevailed in this situation and we fully understand our obligations in meeting league cap guidelines. Raul has been a tremendous player for us over the last two seasons and a first-class representative of our club. We will deeply miss him.” Diaz Arce, who scored 38 regular-season and eight playoff goals for D.C., was tremendously popular with the large Salvadoran community in the nation’s capital. “We know our Salvadoran fans will be extremely upset about this deal,” said Payne. “But we hope they will understand that ultimately we had no choice and that they will continue to support D.C. United. I know that is what Raul would expect of them.”