CARSON, Calif. – Shalrie Joseph’s brief stay with Chivas USA appears to be over, thanks to a new coaching regime that has left the longtime MLS superstar out in the cold.
José Luis “Chelís” Sánchez Solá confirmed to MLSsoccer.com on Wednesday that the former Revolution standout will not play a role on the club in 2013, less than six months after the Goats acquired him via trade to help save their sinking season last year.
“He’s a great player, but he is not in my plans,” Sánchez Solá said.
Joseph has not trained with the club on the field this preseason, but he was part of the group that reported for duty a week ago.
“He showed up the first day with an injury and after that has not returned,” Sánchez Solá revealed. “Maybe he’s sick, maybe he’s injured, I don’t know what’s going on with him.”
Chivas acquired Joseph from New England on Aug. 1 in a deal for midfielder Blair Gaven, but the addition of the 34-year-old veteran never paid off. The Goats closed the season on a 14-game winless streak after picking up a player long considered the best holding midfielder of his generation.
Sánchez Solá did not say if the club was actively trying to deal him to another MLS club.
“Management knows he’s not in my plans,” he said. “Hopefully he’ll be able to play with another team.”
Joseph was a four-time MLS Best XI selection in more than 10 seasons with New England, and in 2009 became the first holding midfielder to be nominated for the league MVP award.
