The Tampa Bay Mutiny has signed midfielder Cesar Alvarado as a discovery player for the 1999 MLS season. Alvarado, 20, has been with the club on a trial basis since near the end of the 1998 regular season and impressed Mutiny head coach Tim Hankinson with his ability and tenacity. "Cesar Alvarado is an outstanding young player," said Hankinson. "We have had an opportunity to observe him for quite some time and are impressed with not only his ability but his knowledge of the game and his dedication towards making himself better. He has the potential to be a top-flight professional player and we're glad he is on our team." Originally from Mexico City, Alvarado went to Monrovia (Calif.) High School and Citrus College before beginning his professional career last season with the Los Angeles Galaxy as a second round draft choice in the 1998 supplemental draft. Alvarado spent time briefly with both L.A. and Dallas before coming to the Mutiny. He has not yet appeared in a regular season MLS game. In addition, Alvarado was in the training camp of the U-23 National Team last year. Alvarado is the first of two discovery players allotted to the Mutiny for 1999. Tampa Bay has until May 15 to sign the second discovery player. The addition of Alvarado to the roster gives the Mutiny 21 players, plus Project-40 midfielder/forward Eric Quill. MLS teams must be at 22 players plus Project-40 players by March 1 and 20 players plus Project-40 players by April 1.