MetroStars acquire Chilean National Team midfielder Marcelo Vega

NEW YORK (Thursday, April 9, 1998) -- Midfielder Marcelo Vega, a starter on the World Cup-bound Chilean National Team, has been signed by Major League Soccer and allocated to the MetroStars, MLS Deputy Commissioner Sunil Gulati announced today.

"Vega is obviously a very talented player, and we are excited to sign another young player who is very close to making a name for himself on the world scene," said Gulati. "Vega wears the #10 shirt for Chile, a team that should surprise some people in France this summer."

Considered the most talented midfielder on the Chilean soccer scene, the 26-year-old Vega has 21 appearances and one goal for Chile's National Team. Vega, who played in more than 80 percent of his country's qualifying matches for World Cup France '98, is the playmaker who distributes the ball to super scorers Ivan Zamorano and Marcelo Salas for Chile.

"Players around the world look at MLS as a very promising league, with a bright future," Vega said. "The caliber of play has improved from the first year to the present time even faster than people anticipated. The development of MLS and the strength of the league have also affected the rise of the United States National Team."

Born August 12, 1971 in Copiapo, Chile, Vega has been praised by Chilean National Team Head Coach Nelson Acosta and is nearly assured a place on the squad for France '98. He has been a part of the national team program since 1991 and played for Chile at Copa América '91 (Chile), '93 (Ecuador) and '95 (Uruguay).

Active in Chile's first division since 1991, Vega has played for Santiago Wanderers since 1995. He began his professional career in 1985 at 14 with Regional Atacama in Chile. In 1991 and 1992, Vega played with Unión Española before transferring to Colo Colo (where he was a teammate of D.C. United's Marco Etcheverry) from 1992. While with Colo Colo, Vega played in the prestigious Copa Libertadores and Supercopa tournaments.

When Vega was asked if he looked to emulate the success of Carlos Valderrama or Marco Etcheverry, two creative South American midfielders who have provided the benchmark for #10 MLS players, he replied: "I do not want to copy them, or follow behind them. They are great players, but I want America to be excited from watching the 'Marcelo Vega' style of soccer."

Vega, who was brought to Major League Soccer's attention by Raul Mateu of the William Morris Agency, is scheduled to join the MetroStars in late April and could make his debut May 6 against Dallas at Giants Stadium.

"My goal here is to bring a championship to the MetroStars," Vega added. "That is what every player plays for, to become a champion."