Ten Worst: Metro foreigners
October 28, 2005
A few weeks ago, we looked at the ten best foreigners in Metro history. And while that list was pretty hard to compile because of the lack of quality signings, the difficulty in building the list of the ten worst foreigners is a complete reverse. An argument for inclusion can be made for any player in the "just missing out" section... and that's just the tip of the iceberg. The only requirement to appear on this list is that a player must have counted as a senior international in MLS at some point of their Metro career (sorry, Byron Alvarez) and actually play in a game (sorry, Daniel Garipe).
10) Gilmar, Brazil, 2001
Nick Sakiewicz knew Gilmar from their time together in Tampa. So late in the season, he ran into him at an airport and signed him... Doesn't that say it all? If it doesn't, the numbers might: eight games, no goals, two red cards.
9) Eduardo Hurtado, Ecuador, 1998-99
He was named Team MVP in 1998, but "El Stanque" was despicable in 1999, imitating a statue when he wasn't missing sitter after sitter after sitter. Amazingly, his seven goals led the team... The worst team in league history, Chivas USA be damned.
8) Sergio Galvan Rey, Argentina, 2004-
Galvan Rey's 2004 season ranks as one of the worst in Metro history, but his admirable performance in 2005 pushes Sergio much lower on this list. In a tossup between himself and Eduardo Hurtado of two players with one good season and one horrid, Sergio "wins" out, since Hurtado's 1998 was much better than Galvan Rey's 2005: 12 goals and 15 assists versus eight and zero. Even in El Tanque's disgusting 1999, he scored five more than the two by the the King of Offside in 2004.
7) Pedro Alvarez, Colombia, 2001
The original Alvarez might not have been a bad player, but he certainly did not "knock our socks off", as Nick Sakiewicz suggested before his signing. A defensive midfielder, he tried to dismantle the opponents' attack with little effect, collecting nine yellows (plus three in the forgettable Merconorte run) and two reds in his lone season as a Metro. Our socks are still on.
6) Branco, Brazil, 1997
The only thing that keeps Branco from appearing higher on this list were the two free kick blasts that he buried in the opponents' net. The three ejections, one of them for the memorable spit on Mike Lapper in the game the Metros had to win to have a chance at the playoffs speak volumes for his case.
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