For the first time in a long time, there were significant changes for the New England Revolution during the offseason. Not the cosmetic changes on the back end of the roster that teams inevitably face from year to year, but substantive changes that will impact how the team will approach the 2008 season.
The departures of Avery John, Andy Dorman and Pat Noonan, along with the loss of James Riley to San Jose in the expansion draft, created headlines in the offseason and surprised the most settled squad in the league.
"It was a blow to the stomach for us," explained Revs midfielder Shalrie Joseph. "It's going to be hard to replace those guys. It's a concern for us. We lost one of the best clutch players in the league in Noonan. When he's been healthy, he was one of the best players in the league."
Club captain Steve Ralston explained that the loss of two certain starters in John and Noonan and part-time starter Dorman will be felt on and off the field.
"It was a big loss for us," Ralston said. "We haven't had much turnover. To lose four guys who were a big part of the team, it was a big deal. One of the overlooked things was that these guys were good locker room guys. It's one of those things we have to deal with in this job. We have guys who can come in and help us."
That sentiment explains why the headlines might not tell the whole story as the Revolution seek to retain its Eastern Conference playoff dominance and hope to add their first MLS Cup crown this season after losing at that stage four of the past six seasons.
As Revolution head coach Steve Nicol notes, the changes aren't as drastic as one would expect. Nine of 11 starters from last season's MLS Cup defeat to Houston return.
The departures forced the team to inject new faces into its settled core during the offseason. The high-profile addition of Chris Albright, acquired from Los Angeles in exchange for allocation money, has bolstered the backline and increased its flexibility as the team looks to alternate between a 3-5-2 and a 4-4-2 this season.
"Chris is a key addition for us," Joseph said. "It's been easy for him to adapt. With him, the change isn't as drastic. We sometimes play three in the back and sometimes play four in the back and he can play in both. He just loves to get forward, where Avery was more of a stay at home defender."
Where Albright has settled in quickly and is expected to contribute from day one, the team's two foreign signings could need more time to adapt to the rigors of MLS after arriving from Central America.
Honduran international Mauricio Castro will be expected to challenge Khano Smith for a role on the left wing. The two-footed winger also provides cover for Ralston in central midfield, but is expected to log most of his minutes on left.
Costa Rican youth international Argenis Fernandez's role provides another option on the wing and could see some time up top.
"Fernandez is more of a midfielder/striker type," Nicol said. "He's not a Taylor [Twellman] type of guy who will go out and get you a bunch of goals. He's more of an assist guy who will also score. He makes things happen. He'll play through and make the play that sets up the goal."
But after suffering through an interminably long period waiting for visa approval, the duo might have to be eased into the process. Nicol said that "it may take a couple of weeks to get them into the flow" as the pair settled.
"They have to learn the system," Ralston explained. "The style of play is different than what they're used to. It's more physical. It's faster. It requires more endurance. It'll take them some time to adapt. We'll need them to play."
The Revs will also need someone to partner Taylor Twellman on the forward line after Noonan's departure. The Revolution strike pairing enjoyed an almost telepathic understanding developed from years of playing together, first in St. Louis and then later with the Revolution and the United States national team.
A group including Abdoulie "Kenny" Mansally, Adam Cristman and draft pick Kheli Dube will battle to see who gets the chance to partner Twellman in the absence of a more experienced signing.
"They're talented," Joseph said. "They're all competing for one spot. Taylor's the best goalscorer in the league, so we just need someone beside him who can give us a couple of goals here and there."
While Albright fills John's void and some combination of players will cover for Noonan, Dorman's replacement is in house. Ralston took over the playmaker's role from Dorman at the tail end of last season and featured there during the playoffs. With the emergence of Wells Thompson on the right wing giving the team some options, Ralston will feature centrally full-time for the first time in his professional career.
"It's a transition for me," Ralston said. "I've played 12 seasons as a right midfielder, so it's a little bit of a change. I have played there on occasion over the past couple of years, but I haven't played a full season there. I played it in college but that was a long time ago. It'll be different."
Another difference from years past is the expanded schedule. The Revolution will compete in SuperLiga, the U.S. Open Cup and the CONCACAF Champions League at different points during the season, forcing the team to cultivate the depth it has lacked in recent seasons. With increased competition on the wings and up top, the team may just be able to find it.
"Every player on the roster will be playing at some point this season," Ralston said. "We're OK with that. Guys will be given opportunities. Hopefully, they can take those opportunities and push the starters."
The tournaments will stretch the Revolution to their limits, especially in July and August.
"It will affect us, but at the end of the day, MLS is the bread and butter," Nicol said. "The other tournaments are bonuses. That doesn't mean that we don't want to go out and win them. We want to win them, but we wouldn't be in them if it weren't for our league performance."
Winning tournaments may mean lifting the ever-elusive MLS Cup for the first time. Even though the team has changed personnel during the offseason, the goal has not.
"Nothing short of an MLS Cup would be a success," Joseph said. "We've been there three times in a row and we haven't won it yet. That's where you want to be as a player. You're trying to put trophies in the trophy cabinet."
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
