FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Midfielder Bryan Byrne has signed with Major League Soccer, pending work visa approval, to play for the New England Revolution, the team announced today. Per MLS and club policy, terms of the deal were not released. Byrne, a native of Ireland, will occupy one of the Revs' four senior international roster spots. He will be unavailable for gameday selection this weekend against Toronto FC.
Additionally, the Revs announced that defender/midfielder Tony Lochhead has been waived.
Bryne, 24, played four seasons with collegiate powerhouse UC-Santa Barbara, twice leading the Gauchos to the NCAA College Cup. The Kilkenny, Ireland native, scored 11 goals and added 19 assists in his four-year career in Santa Barbara. He was a two-time All-Big West selection and also earned NSCAA All-Far West honors as a junior. The outside midfielder was the co-captain of the UCSB team that won the 2006 NCAA Championship.
"We are pleased to have Bryan join our team," Revolution Director of Soccer Michael Burns said. "He had tremendous success at the collegiate level at UCSB and we expect that he'll have continued success as a member of the Revolution."
Byrne was drafted by the Revs in the third round (38th overall) in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft in Indianapolis, Ind.
Lochhead, 25, appeared in 16 games for the Revolution - starting nine - with two assists in 2006, his first full season with the Revolution. He was originally drafted by the Revs in the third round (33rd overall) of the 2005 MLS SuperDraft, and later signed with the club on Sept. 15, 2005.
The Revolution opens its 2007 home schedule at 7:30 p.m., on Saturday, April 14, against league newcomer Toronto FC, in the second game of a special soccer event doubleheader. In the first game, the U.S. Women's National Team will face Mexico in its first domestic game of 2007. Kickoff for the international friendly is set for 5 p.m. For ticket information, call 1-877-GET-REVS.
