In recent years, offseasons for the New England Revolution have been quiet, passive affairs, notable for their relative lack of activity -- draft day aside. Revs head coach Steve Nicol has been able to maintain a settled squad, meaning tinkering in the transfer market has been largely unnecessary.
The Revolution's 2008 roster, however, looks set to be somewhat different from that which reached a third consecutive MLS Cup last November. Already gone are James Riley (San Jose) and Andy Dorman (St. Mirren), with Pat Noonan looking set to follow suit following the club's decision not to pick up the forward's 2008 option. Avery John is also out of contract.
Of that quartet, only Noonan and John were starters against Houston Dynamo in MLS Cup 2007 at RFK Stadium three months ago, but the gradual overhaul of the Revolution squad means that, when the two sides meet in their season opener at Gillette Stadium on March 29, New England will have a different appearance.
Nicol's biggest move to date has been to bring in veteran defender Chris Albright from the Los Angeles Galaxy. The 29-year-old is a versatile player who can operate as a fullback or wide midfielder and Nicol is pleased with the depth the Philadelphia native will bring to the squad.
"We're really just trying to fill the squad out to give ourselves cover and competition everywhere and that is exactly what we have done with Chris," said Nicol.
Nicol's pursuit of Albright began in Florida at the adidas MLS Player Combine, where the Revolution coach also saw his soon-to-be first selection in the SuperDraft, Rob Valentino out of the University of San Francisco.
Although the 6-foot-3, 190-lb. defender signed with MLS as part of the Generation adidas program, compared to others in that elite group Valentino was somewhat unheralded. Nicol points to a recent knee injury as being a reason for that, although he had few qualms himself about picking a player in whom he sees many qualities.
"I think people were kind of wary because of the injury he had but this is 2008 -- people come back from all kinds of stuff these days," said Nicol. "I think that is why he maybe flew under a few radars. People don't want to take chances but we felt it wasn't a risk at all.
"Valentino is a really good defender. There aren't too many good defenders around the league to be honest and this kid is all about defending. He's big and strong with a wee bit of pace so we're happy with that. He's a competitor and has that attitude that he doesn't like to get beat, all things we like."
Perhaps the most intriguing move made by New England in Baltimore was also the club's most speculative. Michael Videira was considered by many to be one of the most complete midfielders in the draft but his stock dropped amid uncertainty as to whether he would sign with the league or take advantage of his Portuguese passport to pursue a career in Europe.
Videira grew up on the Revs' doorstep in Milford, Mass. Indeed, as a youth player at FC Greater Boston, he was coached by Nicol's assistant, Paul Mariner. Although the Duke alumnus has informed New England that he will attempt to find a club in Europe, the Revs were determined to be the MLS club he would join were it not to work out.
"Had Videira signed with the league, he would have gone in the first round, there's absolutely no question about that. We felt it was worth taking the gamble," said Nicol after using the 18th overall pick on Videira.
Nicol admitted he was "desperate to get" Videira. As for what happens next, much will depend on the offers made overseas but Nicol hopes that knowing his MLS future lies in New England will be a major influence on the player.
"There's no timeframe whatsoever. It will depend on him," Nicol said. "I think that, because it's (the Revolution) then, if it comes to a situation where he is unsure whether to take what is available to him, I don't think he would have too much hesitation coming back to us."
However, until Videira is in Revolution colors, Nicol has little say in his future and can only control the players he has in front of him, two more of whom -- Joe Germanese and Spencer Wadsworth -- are rookies hailing from Videira's alma mater.
"We like the same thing in both (Germanese and Wadsworth)," said Nicol. "They like to go at players, they like to take people on. They've both got an appetite to play the game."
If Noonan does leave, the Revs look to be very thin in terms of numbers and experience at forward and Nicol said that he hopes to strengthen his squad further before the season starts. For now though, New England fans have a few new faces to get used to as they gear up for yet another charge toward an MLS title.
Andrew Hush is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
