TRANSFER TRACKER:Report
The New England Revolution could soon fill their last remaining Designated Player slot, according to Steven Goff of The Washington Post.
Goff is reporting that Bruce Arena, the club's sporting director and head coach, plans to sign a DP forward. They’re also looking to add a defender, Arena added.
Arena was in attendance at the College Cup final between Georgetown and the University of Virginia, and is currently amid his first offseason with the Revolution. Before coaching D.C. United in 1996 for MLS's inaugural season, Arena won five College Cups with Virginia.
New England’s other two DPs, midfielder Carlos Gil and forward Gustavo Bou, are both coming off strong first seasons in the league. Gil was named the 2019 MLS Newcomer of the Year, while Bou was signed in the summer from Club Tijuana. Their dynamic play catapulted a second-half surge and ended a four-year absence from the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
Any DP forward would join an offense that’s already shed Juan Fernando Caicedo, a Colombian striker who was signed on loan when Brad Friedel was head coach. Teal Bunbury and Cristian Penilla were both streaky last season, while Gil and Bou combined for 19 goals and 16 assists. A high-profile player alongside them, in theory, would form a potent offense.
The Revolution have already added one defender this offseason, Dutch left back Alexander Buttner, and re-signed English center back Michael Mancienne. They’ve also inked outside backs DeJuan Jones and Brandon Bye to new deals, and have veterans Andrew Farrell and Antonio Delamea in the fold. In terms of outgoing defenders, Jalil Anibaba was selected by expansion side Nashville SC in the Expansion Draft, and veteran left back Edgar Castillo didn’t have his option picked up.
In 2019, New England allowed the third-most goals (57) in the Eastern Conference and their 50 goals scored were middle of the pack.
2020 New England Revolution Roster as of December 4, 2019:
HEAD COACH: Bruce Arena
FORWARDS (5):
- Bou, Gustavo
- Buchanan, Tajon
- Bunbury, Teal
- Penilla, Cristian
- Rennicks, Justin
MIDFIELDERS (9):
- Angking, Isaac
- Caicedo, Luis
- Caldwell, Scott
- Fagundez, Diego
- Firmino, Nicolas
- Gil, Carles
- Rivera, Damian
- Rowe, Kelyn
- Zahibo, Wilfried
DEFENDERS (6):
- Buttner, Alex
- Bye, Brandon
- Delamea, Antonio
- Farrell, Andrew
- Jones, DeJuan
- Mancienne, Michael
GOALKEEPERS (2):
- Knighton, Brad
- Turner, Matt
