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By RODNEY PAGE
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 6, 2001
The Mutiny gained seven players in Monday's Major League Soccer draft, but lost two as well. Offensive midfielder Manny Lagos was traded to San Jose for two draft picks minutes after the Mutiny selected forward Ali Curtis with the second overall pick.
Midfielder Dominic Kinnear announced his retirement and will become an assistant coach in San Jose under new coach and former Mutiny defender Frank Yallop.
"Manny came to us two weeks ago and expressed interest in being traded," Mutiny coach Alfonso Mondelo said. "At the time we couldn't do it because we didn't have another forward. But now we do so we were able to make the trade."
Lagos, 29, played in 27 games in 2000 and had eight goals and seven assists. He was hampered most of the season with a groin injury.
Kinnear, 33, missed nine games last season with various injuries and was unable to train in January due to a stomach muscle injury. Kinnear played three seasons in Tampa, mostly as a defensive midfielder.
He returns to San Jose, where he and his wife, Colleen, have a home.
"It was a total surprise," Kinnear said of his coaching job. "I didn't even know Frank was trying for the (San Jose) job. When he called me I thought it was to play for him. But when he said it was to coach I couldn't believe it. I was flattered.
"It was a difficult decision to stop playing. I figured that this year would be my last any way. I've had some injury problems and I am over 30."
The Mutiny also reclaimed goalkeeper Matt Nyman off waivers.