JAMAICA, N.Y. -- Former St. Johns All-American midfielder Jeff Matteo (Stormville, N.Y.) will be making a homecoming of sorts.

Matteo, who led the Red Storm soccer team to the 2001 NCAA Final Four, was traded on Thursday to the New York/New Jersey MetroStars. Matteo and defender Chris Leitch were traded by the Columbus Crew in exchange for midfielder Ross Paule.

Im really very excited about this opportunity, Matteo said on Thursday night from Columbus. This is a great opportunity for me to play, and to do it basically in my backyard. Im really excited about coming back to New York.

Matteo, was selected by Columbus in the second round (20th overall) in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft. After spending time overseas, Matteo joined the Crew late in the 2002 season, appearing in one game.

The midfielder graduated from St. Johns as one of the most honored players in program history. He led the Red Storm to a 17-3-3 record in 2001, winning the programs sixth BIG EAST Tournament Championship and reaching the Final Four for the second time in school history. He earned second-team All-American honors as a senior and was named the BIG EAST Conferences Midfielder of the Year. He earned All-BIG EAST honors in each of his four seasons at St. Johns, being named All-Rookie as a freshman, second-team as a sophomore, and first team honors in his final two seasons. Matteo played in 88 career games, scoring 55 points on 17 goals and 21 assists.

He scored the opening goal of a 2-2 draw between his old team, the Crew, and his new team, the MetroStars on Monday, March 10 in Florida. Matteo blasted a 20-yard shot that found the upper left corner past an outstretched goalkeeper.

He departed today for the teams third phase of preseason training, in Argentina. The MetroStars open the 2003 at home on April 12 against the Crew.

In addition, former Red Storm goalkeeper Dan Popik (Syosset, N.Y.) was signed on Thursday by the Los Angeles Galaxy, the defending MLS Champions.

Popik played three seasons in the A-League with the Milwaukee Rampage, including helping the club win the 2002 A-League Championship in a 2-1 overtime win against the Richmond Kickers. Popik boasts a 40-22-6 all-time record with the Rampage, and was named the teams MVP last season when he posted a 14-7-4 record with a 1.09 goals against average.

Former Red Storm All-American Shalrie Joseph (Brooklyn, N.Y.) started two of the first three games for the New England Revolution at defense. Joseph, a two-time first-team All-BIG EAST selection who led the Red Storm to the 2001 BIG EAST Tournament Championship and NCAA Final Four, signed with the Revolution in December.