The Revolution announced Friday that midfielder Richie Baker will return to his native Republic of Ireland and that defender Steve Howey has returned to England. Both players have been given permission to negotiate with other clubs and pursue playing opportunities outside of Major League Soccer.
"Richie Baker and Steve Howey are good players who helped the Revolution while they were here. The club wishes them both the very best in the future," said Revolution technical director Joe Cummings. "Richie contributed valuable minutes for the Revs this past season and was an exemplary pro off the field. I'm confident that both players will find the kinds of opportunities they seek on the other side of the Atlantic."
Baker was signed by MLS and the Revolution as a Discovery Player on Feb. 4 as a Transitional International. The former Ireland youth international appeared in 20 matches for the Revs, starting 11 of those games. Baker posted six assists on the season, good for fourth on the team in that category.
Howey, a former England international, was signed as a Senior International on Aug. 26 and appeared three times for New England before a quadriceps injury prevented him from playing for the rest of the season. Both Baker and Howey would have counted as Senior Internationals for the 2005 season.
