Chilean midfielder Victor Mella, who played for both San Jose and New England during the inaugural MLS season, has been re-signed by MLS and will rejoin the Clash for the 1998 season. “We’re delighted, absolutely delighted, to be able to bring Victor back to San Jose,” said Clash GM Peter Bridgwater. “Victor had a special relationship with the fans here during that first season — he was a young player with a special kind of charisma, and the fans really welcomed him into their hearts.” “He can help us as a forward or as an attacking midfielder,” added San Jose coach Brian Quinn. “He can score himself, or he can create for others.” Mella started the first five games for the Clash in 1996, assisting on two goals, before the club placed him on waivers to make room for Mexican forward Missael Espinoza. “It was one of the most painful decisions we’ve ever had to make, but the international player limit was four at the time and our other three internationals all had guaranteed contracts,” Bridgwater explained. Mella moved on to New England, where he appeared in three games before the Revolution was also forced to waive him to stay under the international player limit. He has been a professional since the age of 15, when he was signed by Colo Colo, the same team that produced new Clash assistant Jorge Espinoza. Mella spent last season on loan with Everton, where he scored six goals. “My friends in Chile tell me he had a very good season, and that for every goal he scored he set up two goals for other players,” said Jorge Espinoza. “He has very good skills, a very sound technical player.” Bridgwater said that San Jose had attempted to bring Mella back for the 1997 season, when the foreign-player limit was raised to five, but that things did not work out. “We’re thrilled to be able to bring him back this year,” he said. “And I think our fans will be excited, too.” Note: The Clash also announced that MLS has exercised its contract option on San Jose forward/midfielder Jeff Baicher and midfielder Dominic Kinnear. San Jose has also re-signed midfielder Eddie Lewis and keeper David Kramer.