Feb. 4, 1998 – Revolution acquire Raul Diaz Arce from D.C. United, trade Alexi Lalas to MetroStars

The New England Revolution dealt a draft pick to D.C. United for Raul Diaz Arce and acquired a draft pick from the NY/NJ MetroStars in exchange for Alexi Lalas.

https://secure.pqarchiver.com/boston-sub/doc/403948841.html?FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+5%2C+1998&author=Dell%27Apa%2C+Frank&pub=Boston+Globe&edition=&startpage=D.1&desc=REVOLUTION+GIVE+LALAS+AND+GET+DIAZ+ARCE

Feb. 4, 2000 – Giovanni Savarese transfers to Perugia from Revolution

The transfer fee was set at $100,000, Savarese to earn “five times” his $60k MLS salary, according to Westport, Conn., based agent Eric Manasse

Feb. 4, 2005 – Revolution acquire Jeff Larentowicz in fourth round (45^th pick) in Supplemental Draft

From The Boston Globe:

Alexi Lalas did not accomplish all he hoped to in two years with the Revolution. But Lalas, who was traded to the New York-New Jersey MetroStars yesterday, did generate the publicity that helped establish the Revolution franchise as a viable sporting attraction.

Lalas, 27, was the Revolution’s first major signing, and the team built a successful marketing campaign around him. However, Revolution management essentially has admitted that attempts to build a team around Lalas failed. The trade, which brings striker Raul Diaz Arce from Washington to the Revolution and sends a 1999 draft choice from the MetroStars to D.C. United, is part of an almost complete revamping of the Revolution roster.

Diaz Arce, a member of El Salvador’s national team, and Dutch defender Richard Goulooze are the first foreign reinforcements to join the Revolution. Other possible additions include striker Ariel Graziani, 26, a naturalized Ecuadoran of Argentine birth who is playing in Mexico, and midfielder Jorge Amaral Rodrigues, 27, a native of Mozambique playing for Vitoria Setubal in Portugal.

Revolution owner Jonathan Kraft was drawn to Lalas’s charismatic presence among young fans and the ability he showed during the 1994 World Cup and with the US national team while playing for Padova in Italy’s Serie A in 1995-96.

“The first season, he helped create a buzz in the nonsoccer community,” Kraft said. “Since then, we’ve shown the general population that soccer is a fun sport and that they can come out and watch and spectate on television. It’s transcended that now. Soccer and the Revolution made a breakthrough that first season, and since then, they have become a part of the sporting fabric of New England. The sort of presence Alexi brings is great to have on the team, but it is not necessary anymore for our team to exist.”

The Revolution led Major League Soccer in attendance with 21,423 per game last year, but their two-year record is only 20-34-10.

Revolution administrators and coaches complained of the difficulties of making personnel changes, which apparently were necessary for the team to improve. With the departure of Lalas, his $236,000 salary slot becomes free. Combined with the retirement of goalkeeper Walter Zenga and the release of Giuseppe Galderisi, the move enables the Revolution to restructure the team within the salary cap limits.

Diaz Arce is among the first major changes, available because two-time MLS champion D.C. United had exceeded the salary cap. In fact, the deal seemed mostly driven by the Revolution and MLS headquarters, since many D.C. United fans protested the possible departure of Diaz Arce. The Revolution had hoped to acquire Diaz Arce last month after charges of kidnapping and rape were dropped in Franklin County, Ohio. Diaz Arce and former teammate Mario Gori had been arrested Aug. 18, accused by a 24-year-old Columbus woman of forcing her to participate in oral sex.

The trade “came as somewhat of a surprise, but these things happen in pro sports,” Lalas said. “I look at this as a challenge and an adventure, and I look forward to leading the MetroStars to many championships. I’m excited to join a team that is first-class on and off the field.

“I’ll miss the players, staff, and fans, who made life so enjoyable for me in New England. I am proud to have been a part of something very special in New England and wish them many years of success in the future.”

Lalas has been marketed as the poster boy for American soccer, a striking, red-bearded presence in central defense with an uninhibited personality on and off the field. But his first year with the Revolution became, in his words, “a nightmare” after he clashed with coach Frank Stapleton and the team failed to qualify for the playoffs.

“I always wanted Alexi, but the Revolution never wanted to trade him under any circumstances,” MetroStars general manager Charlie Stillitano said. “A major factor is that Alexi is a guy who will help in the clubhouse. We could have used a leader like Alexi the last two years.”

Stapleton’s successor, Thomas Rongen, had a good relationship with Lalas but was not satisfied with the Lalas-Francis Okaroh combination in central defense. Okaroh was chosen by Chicago in the expansion draft and is set to join the Nigerian national team for a game in Jamaica Feb. 22.

“When we looked at the roster and salary cap and decided how we could improve the team, we knew we would have to make significant moves,” Rongen said. “That included losing one or two players to open some cap room.”

Rongen told Lalas of his intention to trade him after a Christmas party at Rongen’s house. He informed Lalas the deal had been concluded at 4 a.m. yesterday.

“There was a combination of a lot of things. There were mutual feelings that it was time to move on,” Rongen said. “I had a breakfast meeting with Alexi after the Christmas party, and we talked about a lot of things, his music as well as about his game. I told him he has done great things for the league and this team but that it was time to move on. He agreed with no hesitation. Alexi is taking on another challenge, which is what he likes to do.

“He had a turbulent first year, a solid second year. He always wanted to bring a championship to Boston; that is why he recruited Beppe {Galderisi} here. Any time you don’t leave with a ring, it’s disappointing. It’s similar to when I left Tampa. But sometimes you’ve got to make decisions that affect you personally. Psychologically, he is ready to move on, and we are ready to do the same thing.

“For what he has done for the team, we really wanted to try to find him a place where he would be comfortable. New York, with his persona, will be good.”

The move follows the trade of another prominent player — Mexican goalkeeper/striker Jorge Campos from Los Angeles to Chicago.

“It’s a pretty drastic move,” Rongen said. “It allows us to make two or three other moves as well. If you look at the overall picture, it’s a very good move because initially, it brings Diaz Arce here but also two other high-level players. We have more gaps than just a high-scoring forward.

“Depth is very important in this league. We want to get to the point where at every position we have two players to potentially start and play. If you look at last year, when Walter and Joe-Max {Moore} were injured and the team didn’t respond — this year we are going to lose Joe-Max to the World Cup. D.C. had {Roy} Wegerle, {Jaime} Moreno, and Diaz Arce last year, and that was a tremendous luxury.

“In a week to 10 days, we should have all five international players, and they will be different from who we had last year. If all the pieces fall into place, we will have the best five international players in the MLS. And that is a tremendous luxury, along with the supporting cast we have. I feel confident the league will be able to secure the players we’ve requested.”

NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY