SECAUCUS, N.J. - The MetroStars announced today that they have acquired forward Thiago Martins and a portion of an allocation from Chivas USA in exchange for forward Ante Razov.
"This move enabled us to free up cap room, acquire valuable allocation money and add a experienced and rugged forward to our roster," said MetroStars President and General Manager Alexi Lalas.
Martins appeared in 22 games (21 starts) for Chivas USA in 2005 and scored three goals and had one assist. Shortly after being named A-League Most Valuable Player for his 22-goal, seven assist performance during the 2003 A-League campaign, Martins was signed by D.C. United on September 11, 2003. Martins appeared in five games (six, including playoffs) with D.C. in '03 but missed the entire 2004 season after two successive left ACL tears. Martins was then selected by Chivas USA in the ninth round of the 2005 MLS Expansion Draft.
A native of Sao Paolo, Brazil, the 29-year-old forward moved to California as a teenager and eventually enrolled at the University of California- Santa Barbara. Martins garnered All-West Coast Conference First Team honors in 2000 after registering six goals and two assists.
Ante Razov joined the MetroStars midway through the 2005 season in a trade with Columbus on June 7. He appeared in 18 games (16 starts) for the "Red and Black" and notched six goals and five assists. One of the most prolific offensive players in MLS history, Razov ranks fourth all-time in goals scored with 84.
In his career, the 31-year-old Whittier, California native earned 24 caps with the full U.S. National Team and tallied six goals during international play.
