MLS
In February 1996, the San Jose Clash drafted Harty in the fourth round of the 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft; however, he never played a game for his hometown club. When Troy Dayak, who was drafted by the MetroStars, demanded a trade to San Jose, Harty was shipped cross-country in the first trade in MLS history.
Harty, a midfielder initially, immediately stepped into the Metro defense. After the team struggled early in the year, he shaved his head, and the Metros went on to win their next three games. The head would stay shaven throughout his MLS career, and Harty quickly became a fan favorite, earning the nickname Mr. Clean. He scored one goal and three assists in his three years in the league, plus added a goal in Open Cup play.
Rhett was on the forefront in the MLS players' antitrust lawsuit against the league, challenging its single entity structure. The players lost, but not before Harty was blacklisted by MLS. Lowballed with a small offer, he chose to retire from soccer instead.
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