SECAUCUS, N.J. - The MetroStars announced today that they have acquired defender Ryan Suárez off waivers. Suárez, 27, was waived by CD Chivas USA on Monday, June 27, 2005.
"Ryan Suarez is one of the most colorful, passionate and entertaining players in MLS," said MetroStars President and General Manager Alexi Lalas. "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."
"I had the opportunity to work with Ryan in a U.S. National Team camp," said MetroStars Head Coach Bob Bradley. "He has the talent and desire to be a very good player and we are excited to give Ryan this opportunity."
Suarez - in his fifth season - has appeared in 100 career MLS games, starting 97 of them. He has tallied five goals and added five assists over the course of his career, with one of those goals coming earlier this season while he was with CD Chivas USA.
He is a native of Northern California who returned to the Golden State midway through the 2003 campaign when he was traded to the Galaxy after spending first two-plus seasons of his career with the Dallas Burn (now FC Dallas).
In 2002, his second year in the league, he started 24 games for the Burn and was named a starter in the 2002 Pepsi MLS All-Star Game, while in 2001 Suarez was a finalist for the 2001 Kellogg's Rookie of the Year award.
In college, Suarez started 65 of his 70 appearances for San Jose State and finished his collegiate career with 11 goals and five assists. He was a two-time SJSU Most Valuable Player, and a first team NSCAA All-American as a senior in 2000 when he anchored a defense that conceded just 13 goals in 22 games.
His father played professionally in Uruguay, including for Nacional, whom the Galaxy faced at Peace Cup Korea 2003. He has a degree from San Jose State in Child Development with a focus on Preschool Management and would like to take over his family's business of Only Love Day Care Centers when his soccer career is over.
