Based on the magnitude of the players involved and the impacts they made afterward, Soccer America picked the 10 biggest trades in MLS history and a winner in each:

1

May 24, 2002: New England trades Mamadou Diallo, Ted Chronopolous and Andy Williams to the MetroStars for Diego Serna, Brian Kamler and Daniel Hernandez. ADVANTAGE: We'll see.

This deal involved two of the league's most prolific scorers, two players who began the season as their team's captain and two other starters, so it's the most talent swapped at once. But it's too early to tell the winner.

2

Jan. 27, 1998: Los Angeles trades Chris Armas and Jorge Campos to Chicago for Danny Pena and Kevin Hartman. ADVANTAGE: Fire.

Campos ended up a thorn in Chicago's side after losing his starting job to Zach Thornton, but with the 1998 title and four straight selections to the league's Best 11, Armas' value eclipsed that of Hartman and Pena.

3

Jan. 28, 1999: MetroStars trade Tony Meola and Alexi Lalas to Kansas City for Mark Chung and Mike Ammann. ADVANTAGE: Wizards.

Although Ammann did well with the MetroStars and Chung outperformed Lalas, Meola's resurgence after knee surgery resulted in an MVP year and the 2000 MLS Cup.

4

Feb. 4, 2001: D.C. United trades Jeff Agoos to San Jose for Abdul Thompson Conteh and the Nos. 8 and 10 overall picks in the 2001 SuperDraft. ADVANTAGE: Earthquakes.

The most value surrendered to get one player: Conteh led United in scoring and D.C. used one of those picks on Santino Quaranta, so its dividends may prove formidable. Regardless, Agoos was the linchpin of the Earthquakes 2001 MLS Cup that may have saved the franchise, so it was worth it.

5

Feb. 4, 1998: D.C. United sends Raul Diaz Arce and a third-round pick in the 1999 college draft to New England. New England sends Alexi Lalas and a first-round pick in the1999 college draft to the MetroStars. The MetroStars send a second-round pick in the 1999 supplemental draft (Geoff Aunger) and first-round and second round picks in the 1999 college draft (Jason Moore and Carey Talley) to United. ADVANTAGE: Revolution.

The first major move sparked by salary-cap troubles, this three-way deal didn't help anyone much. United faced the wrath of its Salvadoran community, and its picks failed to shine. The MetroStars got 25 solid games from Lalas, but the Revs get the edge because Diaz Arce's 18 goals were the lone bright spot in a losing 1998 campaign.

6

Feb. 15, 2000: Kansas City trades the 20th overall pick (used on Keyeno Thomas) in the 2000 draft, D Scott Vermillion and an allocation for Colorado's 15th overall pick (Peter Byaruhanga) in 2000, D Peter Vermes and M Matt McKeon. ADVANTAGE: Wizards.

The Rapids used the allocation to acquire Henry Zambrano from the MetroStars, and he totaled two goals in 18 games for them. Vermes and McKeon, meanwhile, formed the backbone of the Wizards' stifling defense that won a championship. Neither second-rounder panned out.

7

June 28, 2001: Colorado trades a first-round pick in 2002, GK Adin Brown and D Scott Vermillion to Tampa for M Carlos Valderrama. Tampa then traded Vermillion to D.C. United for Eric Denton. ADVANTAGE: Rapids.

A team desperate for change, Tampa bungled all nine of its trades in 2000 and 2001, none worse than this. As a result, the Mutiny never got a chance to use that 2002 pick. Colorado, meanwhile, continues to get assists, if not much ''mileage,'' out of 40-year-old Valderrama.

8

Feb. 3, 2001: D.C. United trades Carlos Llamosa to Miami for Brian Kamler and the No. 4 overall pick (Ryan Nelsen) in the 2001 SuperDraft. ADVANTAGE: Fusion.

Nelsen is contributing in his second year in D.C., but Llamosa was a crucial component in the Fusion's fairy-tale farewell season.

9

Feb. 8, 2002: Dallas trades Ariel Graziani to San Jose for Ronald Cerritos and a second-round pick in the 2002 SuperDraft. ADVANTAGE: We'll see.

To be fair, it's too early to tell, but it sure looks like the Burn got burned.

10

April 27, 1998: D.C. United trades Roy Wegerle and future considerations to Tampa for F Roy Lassiter. ADVANTAGE: D.C. United.

The all-time biggest fleecing. Lassiter scored 36 goals and won a title with D.C; Wegerle scored two goals in 12 games for Tampa and retired. The future considerations never came through.

by Soccer America Managing Editor Paul Kennedy