Ronald Waterreus' first season with Metro will turn out to be his last, reports Ives Galarcep. The Water Giant, signed from AZ Alkmaar during the last offseason, has endured a turbulent year in New York.

After Jon Conway's mistake in last year's playoffs that led to the last-minute game-winning goal in DC, Bruce Arena decided that he needed a veteran to backstop Metro. Tony Meola was deemed not good enough and jettisoned, and in came Waterreus, fresh off a long productive career in Europe. The price was steep: an allocation and a $200,000 salary, the second largest for an MLS keeper, next to the since-retired Shaka Hislop.

Early on, Waterreus earned every penny of that salary. He came out of the gate incredibly strong, earning shutouts in his first four matches (one was shared with Jon Conway after the Walrus was diagnosed with hypothermia at halftime) and setting numerous MLS records, including the longest shutout streak to start a career in the league. But after giving up his first goal in Game 5 against Salt Lake, he suffered an injury, and was replaced by Jon Conway. Waterreus came back a month later, admittedly too soon, and was torched by four goals in DC. After five average-at-best games, Conway was back in the nets, but not for good.

For as the Beckham Circus rolled into the Meadowlands, here was the Walrus again, allowing four goals on five shots, but still earning the victory. Conway would make a brief appearance two games later, but a horrendous own goal in New England seemed to send him to Arena's doghouse for the remainder of the year.

Seemed at first; for Waterreus was horrible in the next six matches. He started with a shutout, but proceeded to allow at least two goals in the last five games, when -- defensive breakdowns be damned -- it seemed every shot by an opponent went in. After a loss in Toronto, Arena decided he's had enough, and Conway went back in.

He's been back in there for the last two matches, saving a penalty kick, while Waterreus was shown sitting on the bench, biting his fingernails. Barring an injury, it's hard to see a scenario where the Walrus would play in the postseason. The Water Giant certainly started with a bang, but looks to go out with a whimper.