The Dallas Burn on Thursday added defender Milton Reyes to their roster following a trade with D.C. United for future considerations. To free a spot for the Honduras international, the Burn released midfielder Gavin Glinton.
The acquisition of Reyes brings yet another defender to the Burn, who added several talented backs during the offseason including U.S. international Cory Gibbs and MLS veterans Carey Talley and Steve Jolley, as well as draft pick Clarence Goodson to give the Burn depth in defense.
Reyes should immediately contend for a starting position at right back as Burn head coach Colin Clarke has completely rebuilt the team's defense after it allowed the most goals in the league last season and saw the club miss the playoffs for the first time in the club's history.
Reyes, 29, spent a week of preseason camp with the Burn and participated in a pair of exhibition matches with the club. After a strong season for United in 2002, in which he played in 24 matches and notched two assists, Reyes was sidelined for all of the 2003 campaign after suffering a torn ACL and meniscus in a preseason match.
Reyes was waived by D.C. United on February 27 but he was not picked up in the subsequent March 4 Waiver Draft. Thus D.C. United retained his rights upon his return to the league and traded those rights to the Dallas Burn in Thursday's transaction.
"We had Milton in camp for a few games, made a decision to pursue him and, after lengthy negotiations, I'm happy that we were finally able to sign him," said Clarke. "He's a player that has done well in this league and is a right back with a lot of pace that gets forward and creates chances. I'm very pleased to add him to the squad."
Reyes brings a wealth of experience from his native Honduras to the Burn. He played in his country's Liga Nacional (first division) with CD Motagua from 1997-2001, helping the squad to five championships during his tenure. In 1996, he signed with CD Independiente-Villela, which won the second division and promotion to the first division. Reyes began his professional career in 1995 in the Honduras second division with Yoro FC.
Reyes has also picked up 32 full international caps for Honduras since 1999, including appearances in 15 of 16 qualifying matches for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. His first international appearance came in the UNCAF Copa de Naciones in March, 1999.
Glinton was acquired by the Burn from the Los Angeles Galaxy midway through last season. He made 10 appearances (three starts) for Dallas after playing in nine games and scoring one goal for the Galaxy in 2003. In all, he made 41 appearances (13 starts) over two MLS seasons, scoring two goals and adding five assists. Earlier this year he made his full international debut for his native Turks & Caicos Islands, in a World Cup qualifying match against Haiti.
