Revs 2015 Roster Takes Shape

Tuesday, December 09, 2014

Matt LaPan, Go Local Sports Reporter

UPDATE: New England Revolution President Brian Bilello sent out a tweet stating the Revolution made a trade with Orlando City Soccer Club and New York City FC which will result in an agreement that will have Diego Fagundez not be drafted in Wednesday's expansion draft. The terms of the trade were not disclosed. Fagundez will remain with the Revolution in 2015.

The Revolution made serious changes to their roster just one day after appearing in MLS Cup

Just over 24 hours after the New England Revolution fell 2-1 to the LA Galaxy in the MLS Cup Final the team has made a series of roster moves to start their planning for the 2015 roster.

Trade With Colorado

The first move of a busy afternoon for Jay Heaps and general manager Mike Burns was a trade with the Colorado Rapids for goalkeeper Joe Nasco. The Revs sent forwards Geoffrey Castillion and Dimitry Imbongo to the Rapids in exchange for Nasco. The teams also traded picks in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. The Rapids will receive a 2nd round pick while the Revs will take back a 3rd round pick.

Player Options Declined

A.J. Soares is a key member of the Revs defense but could be gone in 2015

Shortly after the trade was finalized, the Revolution declined contract options on nine roster players. The first move corresponded directly with the trade, as the Revolution declined the option on Nasco. They also declined the options on goalkeepers Luis Soffner and Larry Jackson, defender Jossimar Sanchez, midfielders Shalrie Joseph, Donnie Smith and Alec Sundly. Finally forwards Andre Akpan and Tony Taylor’s options were also declined.

The Revolution also did not extend a contract offer to defender Stephen McCarthy, who is now without a contract.

Reports also indicate that the Revolution are in contract extension talks with defender A.J. Soares, goalkeeper Brad Knighton and forward Teal Bunbury. The remainder of the roster has guaranteed options or had their options picked up by the team.

Protected Players List

Jermaine Jones highlights a list of protected players that can not be drafted off the Revs roster

The Revs made these moves ahead of Wednesday’s expansion draft where New York City FC (NYCFC) and Orlando City Soccer Club will get their chance at unprotected players on team rosters to help build their rosters for their first season in MLS. The Revolution have 11 protected players in the draft, meaning they will not be available for draft. These players are defenders Kevin Alston, Andrew Farrell, Jose Gonclaves and Chris Tierney, forwards Teal Bunbury and Charlie Davies, midfielders Jermaine Jones, Diago Kobayashi, Lee Nguyen and Kelyn Rowe and finally goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth. Scott Caldwell is automatically protected by the league due to his homegrown player status.

MLS Expansion Draft Options

Diego Fagundez is not protected from the MLS Expansion draft and might not be with the Revs in 2015

Notable players that will be available include midfielders Diego Fagundez, Andy Dorman and Steve Neumann, defenders A.J. Soares and Darrius Barnes, forward Patrick Mullins and goalkeeper Brad Knighton.

The draft, which will be streamed live on MLSSoccer.com, will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. ET. Teams may not lose more than two players in the expansion draft and once a team has a player claimed from its unprotected list, it can move another player from its unprotected to protected list. For a complete list of the expansion draft rules, please click here.