BY RIDGE MAHONEY Help is on the way for an MLS team that sorely needs it. MLS has agreed to terms with three-time All-Star Diego Sonora, who will join Tampa Bay as a discovery player and be eligible to play as soon as he receives a P-1 work visa. Mutiny officials are hopeful signed contracts can be processed today so the deal can be made official. Obtaining a work visa will take between one and two weeks. General manager Bill Manning hopes Sonora can play Aug. 26 against New England. The Argentine native is expected to play right back in the 4-4-2 formation preferred by interim coach Perry Van Der Beck. According to Manning, Sonora contacted the Mutiny several months ago to speak with former coach Alfonso Mondelo, for whom Sonora played with the Metros in 1998. Sonora left MLS after the 1999 season and most recently played for Chilean club Deportes Concepcion. Manning said he’s been training in Buenos Aires with Boca Juniors while seeking a new club. “I think a lot of players leave MLS thinking they’ll find something better,” said Manning, “but then they miss the lifestyle here even though it’s not like back home. I think he wants to end his career here and he’s certainly a player who can help us in the back.” Sonora, 32, will be under contract to MLS through the 2002 season plus several option years. Manning would not disclose salary terms but admitted Sonora will take up much of what cap space the team would have next year if current players were retained, which is approximately $200,000. The Mutiny has a senior international slot open and freed a roster spot last week by releasing Kevin Anderson to sign with Charleston of the A-League. While Sonora played for Dallas, the MetroStars and D.C. United from 1996 to 1999 he was regarded as one of the best right-sided players in the league. He played in 104 games at both midfield and defense, scored seven goals and was credited with 21 assists. He was named an MLS All-Star in the league’s first three seasons but his high salary and the league’s reduced limit on foreign players prompted D.C. United and MLS not to re-sign him for the 2000 season. The Mutiny owns the worst record in MLS at 4-16-1 (13 points) and is 12 points out of the eighth and final playoff spot with seven games to play.