The Re-Entry Draft came and went, with Metro not making a dent for the second straight year. Apparently, other teams' retreads are not good enough to fill out roster's non-existent depth. But that's alright... for we can visit the 2005 season for a good example of why picking up once-successful players, now on the downside, might not exactly be a good idea.

2005 was a tumultuous year, to say the least. Nick Sakiewicz was fired and replaced by Alexi Lalas, and the new GM had it for Bob Bradley from the start. Apparently, a five-month-long streak without a home loss and some of the best soccer Metro has ever played was not good enough for the red-headed clown. He wanted to put his own stamp on the team. So Lalas picked Ryan Suarez off waivers from Chivas USA.

Suarez started out his MLS career in 2001 as a pretty hot defensive prospect. He spent two and a half seasons in Dallas and one and a half in LA, all as a starter. He even got a cap against Wales in 2003. When Chivas USA entered the league in 2005, they had a desire to acquire as many Hispanic players as possible, and Suarez seemed to be a perfect fit. So he made a move cross-town to the expansion Goats.

And boy, did the Goats suck. A defensive ineptitude rarely seen in MLS before or since, and Suarez was right in the middle of it. But he didn't survive the summer, as Chivas dumped him after a row with coach Hans Westerhof. And who was on the doorstep to pick up a defender just cut by the worst team in the league? Well, Lalas, of course! "Love him or hate him, he's a personality that can't be ignored. As far as I'm concerned, we just stole the best part of Chivas USA," Lalas exalted his new signing.

Suarez ended up playing four games by Metro, starting two. On his debut against San Jose, he hit a shot that ricocheted off ex-Metro Ricardo Clark for an own goal, but it was all downhill from there. Suarez's only other start came against his old team, and he was atrocious as the supposedly-impotent Goats abused him all day, scoring three goals. Metro needed a late miracle from Amado Guevara to tie the match.

So that was it for Suarez. Metro dumped him right after the season, and he slummed around the minors with Vancouver and something called the California Victory.

Eric Quill was one of the first Project-40 signings in MLS history, joining Tampa Bay in 1997. A long-time member of various US youth national teams, he carved out a solid MLS career that included a 5 goal, 11 assist campaign 2000. After the Mutiny was contracted, Quill moved to Kansas City in 2002 and even made the US national team roster for a friendly against El Salvador; he didn't play.

Quill moved to Dallas in 2004, but after a season in Texas, he was dropped. Metro came calling; Quill appeared in a number of reserve matches, scoring in a 3:0 win over the Galaxy. He was acquired in July for the ever-important conditional supplemental draft pick. Strangely, Lalas did not make a quote at the time of the trade. Probably was too busy thinking about the circus.

Quill's effect on Metro was even less than Suarez's. Two games off the bench, 11 total minutes, and a swift release right after the season. He retired soon after, before playing for PDL's Houston Leones in 2009. Quill is currently an assistant coach for the University of Houston women's team.

So no, maybe we shouldn't clamor for other teams' rejects. But at least they make good fodder for Obscure Metro Files...