Mutiny signs South African Bucuane

By RODNEY PAGE

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 8, 2000

The Mutiny filled a foreign roster spot, which opened when El Salvadorian forward Raul Diaz Arce was traded to D.C. United two weeks ago, by signing South African forward Manuel "Tico Tico" Bucuane as a discovery player on Wednesday.

Bucuane, 26, must acquire a work visa before coming to Tampa, a process that may take up to four weeks. Bucuane spent part of the spring in Mutiny camp before joining South African First Division club Jomo Cosmos.

He was the top goal scorer for Cosmos the past three seasons and had 21 last season. Bucuane has also played in Portugal and China and has 50 international appearances with the Mozambique national team since 1992.

"Manuel and (starting forward) Mamadou (Diallo) have two different styles," coach Tim Hankinson said. "Manuel is more of an underneath forward, more like Manny Lagos. He provides us with good depth at forward."

A discovery player is signed after a team receives permission from MLS. The Mutiny is allowed four foreign roster spots.

With Bucuane signed, either forward Alan Prampin, who has not played because of an injured pelvic bone, or defender Caleb Porter, who is out for the season with a knee injury, may be released.

In other news, the Mutiny will play amateur club Uruguay S.C. of Fort Lauderdale in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at USF's soccer stadium in Tampa. Tickets are $10, $5 for season-ticket holders.

The U.S. Open Cup is an 87-year-old tournament open to all amateur and professional clubs in the United States. The final is scheduled for Oct. 22 at a site to be determined.

An exhibition is scheduled for at 7 p.m. July 8 against Colombian First Division club Millionarios at Pepin/Rood Stadium in Tampa. Admission is $10. Season-ticket holders should use the Game A ticket.

DALLAS 3, COLUMBUS 2: Rookie Aleksey Korol scored his first MLS goal with a minute left as the host Burn ended a four-game losing streak. Dallas trailed 2-1 before scoring twice in the final seven minutes.

CHICAGO 2, MIAMI 1: Josh Wolff's second goal in the 80th minute for the host Fire handed Miami its third consecutive loss. The Fire's clinching goal came with Miami defender Francis Okaroh waiting to return after being sent off because of an injury. Chicago midfielder Peter Nowak charged on a quick counterattack and found Wolff for the score.

SAN JOSE: Dan Calichman said that MLS should discipline traded defender Mauricio Wright for accusing coach Lothar Osiander of being biased against Latinos on the team.

Wright, traded to New England last week for Calichman and defender Mike Burns, said the relationship between him and Osiander "wasn't very good and this has been a very difficult season for the Latin players in San Jose. I think Lothar's personality and the personality of Latin players (Ronald) Cerritos, Mauricio Solis don't see things the same way."

Calichman said Wright's remarks were "disgraceful."

"He's basically saying Lothar is racist. The league definitely should take some kind of action against him for what he said."

U.S. CUP: Late substitute Horacio Sanchez scored two goals in three minutes to open a close game as Mexico beat South Africa 4-2 in Dallas.

South African defender Fabian McCarthy tried to head the ball back to goalkeeper Andre Arendse. McCarthy wound up feeding Sanchez, who shot the ball just inside the left post. Sanchez sealed the victory in the 83rd minute by redirecting a cross from Jaime Lozano with the outside of his right foot.

Mexico plays the United States at East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday.

MATTHAEUS LEAVES MATCH: Lothar Matthaeus aggravated a thigh injury in the first half of Germany's 8-2 defeat of Liechtenstein in a tuneup for the European Championships. Matthaeus, on leave from the MLS' New York/New Jersey, limped off in the 30th minute.

In another game, Spain edged host Luxembourg 1-0.

-- Information from Times wires was used in this report.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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