Just hours after acquiring Mike Sorber from Kansas City, the MetroStars made another trade, sending former U.S. national team star Peter Vermes and a third-round pick in the 1998 MLS Supplemental Draft to the Colorado Rapids for midfielder Kerry Zavagnin and future considerations.
The Metros are looking to firm up their roster before departing to Italy Feb. 4 for a five-week tour.
“It is an exciting if somewhat bittersweet day for our club,” said MetroStars GM Charlie Stillitano. “Peter was the first captain of our club and was a terrific leader on and off the field. We’ll never forget all the hard work he did to help get the MetroStars off the ground.”
Vermes was a stalwart on defense for the MetroStars last season, and will help to revitalize the Rapids under new coach Glenn Myernick. Zavagnin, whom Colorado selected in the MLS Supplemental Draft Feb. 2, played at North Carolina and started for the U.S. U-20 national team at the 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship in Australia.
“Zavagnin is a strong young player,” said MetroStars coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. “[He] possesses good skills on the ball. Both of these players (Sorber and Zavagnin) will help us play more of a possession-style of soccer. Hopefully, by the time our season begins, all the pieces will fit.”