MLS announced a pair of player moves Feb. 8, with the MetroStars receiving Ecuadoran international forward Wellington Sanchez and the San Jose Clash adding Scottish defender Richard Gough. Sanchez, 24, signed with MLS after spending six seasons with Nacional of the Ecuadoran First Division. He has appeared in 12 Libertadores Cup matches for the club, and has made 50 appearances the national team in both World Cup qualifying and the Cope America. He scored the gamewinner in an upset of Paraguay at the 1997 Copa America, and the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over the U.S. in a friendly last year. “I think the fans are going to enjoy watching Wellington,” said MetroStars coach Alfonso Mondelo. “He’s one of the very best players in Ecuador and should provide a great spark to our offense.” Sanchez is expected to join the MetroStars within two weeks, as soon as work permit details are finalized.

Gough to Anchor Clash Defense

35-year-old Scottish defender Richard Gough, who spent the 1997 MLS season with Kansas City before returning to his former club Glasgow Rangers, has been acquired by San Jose. With Gough in central defense, Kansas City posted a 21-11 record last season and finished atop the Western Conference. He was selected as one of the league’s best eleven players. He will be expected to solidify the Clash defense, which struggled mightily in 1997. “Since last season ended, I’ve been on scouting trips all over the world, looking for someone like Richard Gough,” said San Jose head coach Brian Quinn. “But now we’ve done better than that, we’ve got the real thing.” Gough, who is still with Rangers, could join the Clash as early as April, depending on how soon the Scottish club clinches or is eliminated from contention for its tenth straight league title.