Lewis joins MetroStars

Revolution acquire Portuguese defender Semedo

ATLANTA (CNNSI.com) - Major League Soccer announced the signing of two foreign players on Monday.

The New England Revolution acquired the league's first Portuguese native player, central defender Carlos Semedo, while the MetroStars picked up forward Darin Lewis, a native of Trinidad and Tobago.

Semedo is categorized as a transitional international and will not count toward the Revs three-man senior international roster pool.

Semedo started his playing career with Portuguese first division team Estrela da Amadora at the age of 18, before being transferred to Vitoria Futebol Clube Setubal where he played from 1995 to 2000. He was acquired by Campomaiorense of the Portuguese second division (2000-2001) before joining Imortal Desportivo Clube (2001-February 2002).

The Lisbon native, who won the 1998 European U-18 Championship playing for Portugal, has also been part of the under-20 and under-21 Portuguese national teams.

The Revolution also announced that it will not exercise the option on midfielder Yari Allnutt's contract for the 2002 MLS season. Allnutt played nine games for the Revs in 2001, recording one assists.

Lewis, who led the University of Connecticut to the 2000 NCAA championship and played last season for the A-League's Portland Timbers, becomes the MetroStars' their third senior international player.

"Darin is a tremendous offensive talent who helps provide us with yet one more dangerous option in our attack, and gives us more depth on our front line than we've ever had in our team's history," said GM Nick Sakiewicz. "And most importantly, he's a finisher."

The 25-year-old Lewis was named Most Outstanding Offensive Player at the 2000 NCAA College Cup after helping lead Connecticut to the national title, scoring the second goal in their decisive 2-0 championship win over Creighton. Lewis also led the Huskies to the NCAA semifinals as a junior, a year after transferring in from national junior college powerhouse Mercer County (N.J.) College, whom he had led to two straight national JUCO final fours in 1997 and 1998.

In two years at Connectictut, Lewis tallied 60 points (21 goals, 18 assists) in 49 total games.

Lewis brings the number of senior internationals on the MetroStars roster to the MLS maximum of three, joining Rodrigo Faria (Brazil) and Diego Serna (Colombia).

 

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