Crew trades for Joseph; Smith retires Columbus traded its second-round draft pick in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft to the MetroStars in exchange for midfielder/forward Miles Joseph. Joseph played the last few minutes of the Crew’s 2-1 win over D.C. United on May 3. “Miles is a very versatile player who gives us a lot of options, both up front and on the flanks,” said Crew Head Coach Tom Fitzgerald. “We think he will be a great addition to our team.” “This move makes sense for everyone involved,” said MetroStars general manager Nick Sakiewicz. “This is a great opportunity for Miles and at the same time it helps us recoup the second-round pick we traded away a few weeks back in the Steve Jolley trade.” Joseph, a 1996 U.S. Olympian, had played just three games for the MetroStars this season, registering one assist. The West Springfield, Mass., native was a second-round pick (12th overall) for the MetroStars in the 1996 college draft. For his career, he has appeared in 91 games for the MetroStars, starting 56, and has nine goals and 20 assists. The former Clemson star learned of the trade on May 2, his 26th birthday, and is excited about the new opportunity. “I am really excited to join Columbus,” said Joseph. “It’s going to be a fresh start for me. The Crew has a great group of guys on the team that I will enjoy playing with.” Joseph has made three appearances for the U.S. national team, and was recently called up to the senior team for the U.S.’s game in Miami against Chile in February, 1999. Columbus cleared a roster spot for Joseph when midfielder Rob Smith retired on May 4. “Rob Smith has been the ultimate professional as a member of the Crew,” Columbus general manager Jim Smith said. “He has done everything that was asked of him both on and off the field. We wish him the best of luck.” Crew and D.C. United to play Newcastle Columbus and D.C. United will take on England star Alan Shearer and English Premier League power Newcastle United in late July. The two matches are part of a 10-12 day preseason training period for Newcastle prior to the August start of their 2000-2001 season. Newcastle will play D.C. United on Saturday, July 22, at 7:30 p.m. at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., and will then visit Columbus Crew Stadium for a match against the Crew on Wednesday, July 26, at 7:30 p.m. MetroStars waive Khakpour, again The MetroStars waived defender Mohammad Khakpour for the second time this season. The Metros initially waived Khakpour on March 6, then picked him up again on March 17. “We have decided that it’s best for both parties involved to just part ways,” Sakiewicz said after Khakhpour’s latest release. “Khakpour was a solid contributor for this club last season, but with the recent acquisition of Steve Jolley accompanied with the return of Thomas Dooley, this move is essential to our goal of putting together a solid young nucleus for the future.” Mohammad, 32, started the first five games of this season in the MetroStars defensive backfield, logging 352 minutes, but saw his role with the club diminish significantly. He last played back on April 19 against Kansas City, finding himself on the inactive list for the Metros last two games vs. D.C. United and Los Angeles, respectively. “I like Mohammad as a person and a player,” said head coach, Octavio Zambrano. “This move allows him to sign on with another club and it gives us the luxury of affording more playing time to the younger players.” Mohammad, a defensive specialist, started the final 14 games of the ’99 season. He registered his only assist of the season on a goal by Henry Zambrano back on Sept. 12, 1999, a 2-1 win over Columbus. Colorado’s Okoh cleared to play vs. D.C. United Colorado Rapids forward Matthew Okoh, who formerly starred at Regis High School and the University of Denver before going on to the German Bundesliga, has been cleared to play and is expected to start when the Rapids host D.C. United on Saturday, May 6, at 7:00 p.m. (MT) at Mile High Stadium. Okoh, 27, came to the Rapids from Unterhaching of the German Bundesliga (First Division). Okoh’s Rapids debut had been delayed due to the processing of paperwork between his former club, the German soccer federation, the U.S. Soccer federation and MLS. Okoh’s clearance comes at an opportune time for the depleted Rapids, who also must play Saturday’s game without the services of forward Jorge Dely Valdes, who will join Panama’s national team for an important World Cup 2002 qualifying match in Honduras. The Rapids have called up defender Danny DeVall from the Tennessee Rhythm of the A-League for Saturday’s game. This marks the second time Devall has joined the Rapids on a temporary basis, after the defender was called up and made a 30-minute appearance as a substitute in Colorado’s 3-1 win in Columbus on April 22. Earthquakes re-acquire Harut Karapetyan The San Jose Earthquakes made a trade on May 1 to shore up the left side of their attack, acquiring the rights to midfielder/forward Harut Karapetyan from the Kansas City Wizards for a third-round selection in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft. Karapetyan, who has scored 18 goals in his MLS career, may contribute immediately to the Earthquakes’ offense. He will be making his second stint with San Jose after appearing briefly with the team in 1998. “Harut can play wide left at midfielder or move up to forward,” Earthquakes coach Lothar Osiander said. “He has good speed and a great shot. Since we’re a little weak on the left side, he will be a good addition. He should be in the mix to play right away.” Karapetyan, 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds, spent the first 2 1/2 years of his MLS career with the Los Angeles Galaxy, where he played for Osiander in 1996 and part of 1997. He was a member of the MLS Western Conference champion in 1996 and started in the MLS Cup final. He was acquired by San Jose on Aug. 7, 1998, via trade, but played in only five games for San Jose that season before being waived. He was taken by Tampa Bay in a waiver draft prior to the start of the 1999 season and played in two matches before being picked up by Kansas City. He never played for the Wizards. His career MLS totals are 18 goals and 10 assists in 80 appearances (50 starts). Karapetyan, 28, was born in Yerevan, Armenia, and played for the Armenian national team. However, he became a U.S. citizen five years ago and does not count against the league limit of four senior international players per team.