The New England Revolution today selected four players in the 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft, which was conducted via teleconference. The Revs selected forward Kheli Dube out of Coastal Carolina, midfielder Chris Tierney from Virginia, midfielder Kyle Altman from Trinity (Texas) and forward Saidi Isaac from Winthrop in the draft.
With the eighth selection in the first round, the Revs chose Mkhokheli "Kheli" Dube, the Big South Player of the Year in 2007. The 6-foot-1, 155-pound Zimbabwe native scored 11 goals as a senior, adding five assists as the Chanticleers finished atop the Big South standings with a perfect 6-0-0 record. Before his two-year stint at Coastal Carolina, Dube transferred from NAIA powerhouse Lindsey Wilson. Dube is a former member of Zimbabwe's Under-17, Under-20 and Under-23 squads.
With the its second selection the first round - the 13th overall pick - the Revolution chose Wellesley, Mass., product Chris Tierney out of Virginia. The 6-foot, 180-pound midfielder appeared in 79 games with the Cavaliers, scoring 11 goals and adding 16 assists in his four-year career. As a senior, Tierney scored a career-high seven goals, and assisted on seven more. Tierney played his prep soccer at Noble & Greenough in Dedham, Mass.
In the second round, the Revs drafted midfielder Kyle Altman from Trinity University (Texas). The 6-foot-1, 170-pound player was a two-time NSCAA Division III All-America selection, earning conference defensive player of the year honors as a junior and four all-conference honors. Altman captained the Tigers to an undefeated regular-season record before the team fell in the championship game of the NCAA Division III national tournament.
New England chose Saidi Isaac in the third round with the 41st selection overall. A native of Kenya, the 5-foot-8, 160-pound forward was a two-time NSCAA All-South Atlantic selection, and was the Big South Conference Player of the Year in 2006. After scoring 39 goals as a freshman at Park University and earning NAIA All-American honors, Isaac transferred to Winthrop where he scored 46 goals and added 16 assists in his final three seasons. He was a three-time All-Big South honoree.
The Revs passed on their final selection in the fourth round, the 55th pick overall.
The Revs open preseason training for the 2008 season on Tuesday, Jan. 29, when the team reports to Foxborough for entrance physicals and a team meeting. The first conditioning session will be Wednesday, Jan. 30.
The Revolution officially kicks off the 2008 season at 7:30 p.m. on March 29 when the team hosts the Houston Dynamo at Gillette Stadium in a rematch of MLS Cup 2007. Fox Soccer Channel will televise the game nationally, and tickets to the match are available through the purchase of 2008 season tickets or special First Kick four-packs. For more information, visit revolutionsoccer.net or call 1-877-GET-REVS.
