FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - There was a surprising face out at Thursday morning's New England Revolution training session at Gillette Stadium: U.S. national team defender and former FC Dallas star Cory Gibbs.
Gibbs, who is currently under contract to Charlton Athletic of the English Championship (second tier of English soccer), trained with the Revolution as part of a program to get his fitness back after a serious knee injury that has ruled him out of first-team action since a U.S. national team friendly with Morocco prior to last year's World Cup.
Gibbs has joined with the club for training until June 17 in order to work on his fitness before to heading back to England for preseason training.
"It feels good to be back," Gibbs said. "Being over here is about getting touches. Steve invited me over here to train with them. He's an English legend. I'm happy to be here."
It was a college connection that landed Gibbs in Foxborough. Gibbs attended Brown University in Providence, R.I. and college coach Mike Noonan put him in touch with Revolution head coach Steve Nicol about coming to the Revolution to regain fitness.
"I had followed the Revolution since college, and Mike Noonan [head coach at Brown] spoke with Steve as well," Gibbs said. "Being in Boston was the best situation for me."
Gibbs struggled to find the right situation this year. The knee injury cost him a chance to represent the United States at the World Cup.
"Words can't explain it," Gibbs said of his World Cup heartache. "I was very disappointed."
On top of the disappointment at the international level, Gibbs' club suffered relegation from the English Premier League with the defender resigned to watching on the sidelines.
"Of course, everyone wants to stay in the Premiership. It was a roller coaster for us last season," Gibbs said. "It was really chaotic. I just want to see what happens [now]."
Part of that now is adjusting to playing in a new league: the English Championship. Gibbs believes his side's relegation could end up helping his chances of first-team action once he regains his fitness.
"It works both ways," Gibbs said. "If we had stayed up, Charlton would have bought a lot of players, especially in my position. This gives me a chance to play. I need to get some games in, no matter the level."
If Gibbs can start to find some first team action back with Charlton, he might get a chance to rejoin the United States national team, which he will be able to see at least once during his stint in Boston as the team is contesting Gold Cup group play.
Gibbs said that his management team was keeping U.S. manager Bob Bradley abreast of the developments.
"I have had a little bit of contact with Bob," Gibbs said. "My manager has been talking to him, but I haven't had any first team games since Morocco."
One development that won't occur is a move back to the States. While Gibbs had kind words for FC Dallas, former head coach Colin Clarke, and current Revs manager Nicol, he suggests that he wants to stick to European soccer for the immediate future.
"I wouldn't rule it out [someday]," Gibbs said. "I worked hard to get to England and I want to stay there as long as I can."
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
