The MetroStars today acquired forward Mike Nugent as a developmental player, making him the sixth roster exempt player on the team. Teams are allowed to have up to six Nike Project-40 or developmental players on the roster. Nugent joins Ricardo Clark (P-40), Eddie Gaven (P-40), Jacob LeBlanc (P-40), Jeff Matteo (DP), and Mike Magee (P-40) as the MetroStars contingent of developmental players.

The 23-year-old Princeton University product was a fourth round draft pick (46th overall) by the Chicago Fire in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft. The 2001 Ivy League Player of the Year played four games for Chicago, logging 54 minutes under coach Bob Bradley. He suffered a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee during training and underwent surgery on June 19, 2002, which sidelined him for the remainder of the season. The Fire waived Nugent on March 17, 2003.

The two-time Ivy League champion also spent time with the North Jersey Imperials (2001), New Brunswick Brigade (2000), and Central Jersey Riptide (1999) of the Premier Development League.