MetroStars General Manager Nick Sakiewicz announced today that the team has acquired veteran midfielder Ross Paule, a two-time MLS All-Star, from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for defender/midfielder Steve Shak.

The deal also involved an exchange of 2002 MLS SuperDraft picks. The MetroStars will send the second-round pick they originally acquired in April from Colorado for the discovery rights to Chris Dawes back to the Rapids, and the Rapids will send their third-round pick in the SuperDraft to the MetroStars.

Paule (pronounced PAUL-ee) is in his fifth MLS season, all previously spent with the Rapids. He has collected 12 points in 20 games this season, scoring one goal and dishing for a team-high 10 assists, including three in a 3-3 tie with New England on June 20.

The Cordova, Tennessee native was named an MLS All-Star in both 1999 and 1998, and has notched 18 goals and 29 assists (65 points) in 111 career regular-season games.

"I am very excited about playing for the MetroStars," said Paule. "I have enjoyed coming to the area in the past to play, and now I get a chance to call it my home. We have a great team, and I look forward to helping them as the playoff race heats up."

Shak, the number one overall pick of the 2000 MLS SuperDraft, played in nine games for the MetroStars this season, starting four. He missed five games after spending three weeks on the injured list due to knee injuries suffered during the team's 2-1 loss at D.C. United on June 13.