American Exports: Former New England Revolution defender AJ Soares training with Stabaek

AJ Soares, Revolution 2014

AMSTERDAM – Free agent defender A.J. Soares is temporarily training with Stabæk, but according to manager Bob Bradley is not a transfer option for the Tippeligaen side.


As the former US national team coach told a local newspaper on Monday, the out-of-contract New England Revolution ace had been working out with Serie A side Hellas Verona. The Gialloblu have twice negotiated to sign Soares, but have yet to reach an accord.


"He comes straight from Italy, and is training a little with us now," Bradley told Budstikka. "Stabæk is not in his plans for the future."


In admitting they were not an option for the American back-liner, Bradley also revealed that the 26-year-old has other European trials coming up. When contacted by MLSsoccer.com, Soares' agent declined to make any comment.



The Revs retain rights to Soares, who became a free agent in January, less than a month after helping the club reach MLS Cup. Picked sixth overall by New England in the 2011 SuperDraft, the California native has started all but one of his 108 regular season contests in Major League Soccer and in each of his seven playoff games.