After getting just four league goals from Honduran international forward Jerry Bengtson over the past two-plus years, the New England Revolution announced on Friday they have loaned the World Cup veteran to Argentine club Belgrano for the next year.
The loan runs through June 30, 2015.
Bengtson, 27, was signed in July 2012 as the third Designated Player in Revolution history, following club legend Shalrie Joseph and a 12-game cameo by Milton Caraglio in 2011. He scored two goals in his first five games with the Revolution, but struggled after that. He managed only two more goals in the next 31 regular-season games. (He also scored in a US Open Cup match last year.)
This year, preparing for the World Cup, Bengtson made just one start for New England and played only 238 minutes, scoring one goal after rounding the goalkeeper against Houston on April 12.
Despite his struggles with New England, Bengtson continued to produce for his country, scoring four goals in seven games in the fall of 2013 to help Honduras qualify for the World Cup. This year, he netted just once in seven games despite six starts.
The Revolution host the Columbus Crew on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium (7:30 pm ET, watch on MLS LIVE). They are currently mired in a seven-game losing streak and rank 14th in MLS in scoring, 15th in defense.
On Thursday, Revolution President Brian Billelo tweeted that the club is in discussions to acquire a number of players.
