In nine years of Metro, we've seen our share of horrible players. Unfortunately, many of them have been highly-touted foreign "star", from Ruben Dario Hernandez to the current "savior d'jour", Sergio Galvan Rey. But if one looks at the comparison below, one thing stands out: all of these guys did not last more than a season with Metro. Now, for Sergio Galvan Rey...

1996: Ruben Dario Hernandez, the original Metro savior. Ten games, no goals, three assists. Unhappy here -- and the Metro unhappy with him, the league sent him back to Colombia in mid-season, and signed Antony De Avila to replace him.

1997: Joao Luiz and Branco, the two go together. Seven games, no goals, no assists and thirteen games, two goals, two assists. After Carlos Alberto Parreira spent $1 million on the worthless defender Joao Luiz, he went injured for the season after only seven games. To replace him, in came overweight Branco, who did score on a gorgeous free kick, but was ejected three times, spitting on Mike Lapper in the game that caused the Metros to miss the playoffs.

1998: Marcelo Vega, the overweight slob. 21 games, one goal, eight assists. If you thought Branco was fat, this guy took the cake. Amazingly, he actually played for Chile against Brazil in the World Cup. Traded to San Jose for future considerations after the season, he hid in the bushes to avoid running and was cut soon afterwards.

1999: Sasa Curcic and Henry Zambrano, two players who came when Lothar Matthaus didn't (we can put Mohammad Khakpour with these guys too). Nine games, two goals, two assists and fourteen games, three goals, three assists. The so-called "Dennis Rodman of MLS" Curcic showed some flashes, but went down with a season-ending injury, and signed with Scotland's Motherwell after the year -- the Metros didn't want him back. Zambrano showed some flashes too (again, not enough to rescue the dreadful Metros), but was shipped out to Colorado for an allocation that became Alex Comas.

2000: Lothar Matthaus, his majesty. 23 games, no goals, two assists. All things considering, he wasn't that bad... When you discount the lack of caring and the St. Tropez getaway. At least he was part of the best Metro team in nine years and rose our profile internationally. We'll cut him some slack.

2001: Pedro Alvarez, the one who didn't knock our socks off. 28 games, one goal, one assist. The supposed defensive midfielder wasn't as bad as some remember, but he didn't live up to the sock-related hype. Contract was not extended as he signed with Once Caldas after the year.

2002: Diego Serna, the flopper. Eight games, one goal, three assists. Not a foreign signing, but rather one who came through the dispersal draft, at the expense of Mark Chung. Went AWOL and then was sent to New England in the Mamadou Diallo trade. And then there was Diallo... Let's just move on.

2003: Andrzej Juskowiak, the slow Pole. Eight games, one goal, no assists. He was not supposed to be a savior, but the Metros had few options late in the season, and he just didn't fit in the team. Not wanted back, signed with Erzgebirge Aue after the season.

2004: Sergio Galvan Rey, the King of Goal. 23 games, 2 goals, one assist. Coming from Colombia for a reported half-million-dollar fee and signed to a guaranteed two-year contract, the Metros might be stuck with him for 2005 as well. His maximum salary is weighing down the cap, not making it easier. And if he stays another year, the number one spot will be cemented as his.

Worst signings ever:
3. Ruben Dario Hernandez and Marcelo Vega (tie)
2. Joao Luiz
1. Sergio Galvan Rey