The MetroStars today acquired talented midfielder and Jamaican national team member Winston Griffiths, along with a first-round pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft, in exchange for goalkeeper D.J. Countess and the MetroStars second-round pick in the 2003 SuperDraft.

Griffiths, 23, trained with the MetroStars for two weeks during their preseason training camp in Bradenton, FL, but was acquired by the Burn in a special MLS lottery for his rights earlier this month. Griffiths is primarily a left-sided midfielder who has accumulated 25 international caps as a member of Jamaica's national team, and has scored four goals for the Reggae Boyz.

He played for the Connecticut Wolves of the A-League during the 2001 season, ranking second on the team in scoring with 14 points (five goals, four assists) in 25 games. He also previously starred at the University of Rhode Island, leading the team to the 1999 Atlantic-10 Conference regular season and tournament championships with nine goals and eight assists in his only season with the Rams.

"We're excited to be able to get Winston back with the MetroStars," said team President/General Manager Nick Sakiewicz. "He's a tremendous talent whose level of play made him very popular with our players during our camp in Florida, and he immediately strengthens our midfield."

"It was not easy to part with D.J., who is a very promising goalkeeping talent, but we're loaded at that position with Tim Howard and Paul Grafer, and the chance to acquire Winston, as well as a first-round pick next season, was a deal we had to make."