There are plenty of areas on the field where New England need help if they hope to improve and get back to the playoffs in 2017.
But first, let’s take stock of the current roster:
Goalkeeper
Shuttleworth reaching in vain as the ball is shot over the net (Photo courtesy of Charlotte Thomas)
Brad Knighton: Was given the starting gloves in the last third of the season and performed admirably. If the Revolution had reached the post-season, it would have been mostly due to Knighton’s work in goal. He made saves of the Matt Reis variety to preserve points and help the Revolution go on one of their trademark late-season runs. Letting him leave this off-season would not be smart, considering he was the most consistent goalkeeper on the roster. Verdict: Keeper.
Bobby Shuttleworth: In fairness, Shuttleworth was left out to dry numerous times this season because of a porous back line. That said, he did not display the same confidence or command of the box that Knighton did. Given that Knighton was the better performer overall and that there are two expansion teams coming into the league, it’s possible that the Revs opt not to protect Shuttleworth in one or all of the off-season drafts. He’d be a decent pick-up for any team; he’s played in an MLS Cup final and has plenty of league experience. Verdict: Up in the air.
Cody Cropper: What’s tough about Cody Cropper is that he’s coming off a long-term injury and hasn’t had any league experience to truly merit getting protected in an expansion draft. His résumé is such that the Revs will want to keep him, while expansion sides Atlanta or Minnesota may try to acquire him in the draft, too. Status: Up in the air.
Matt Turner: Currently the fourth stringer on a team with very competitive goalkeeping. Look for his option to be declined later in the fall. Verdict: Goner.
Darrius Barnes: The league veteran has been with the same team for his entire MLS career, but has seen his playing time dwindle. He’s now 29 and may be tempted to go for a change of scenery. Still, the Revolution lack depth at the back and would be well suited to keep a player who knows the club, its fans, and the league. Status: Keeper.
Defense
Chris Rolfe had the game-winning goal for DC in the first round of the playoffs against the Revolution. Photo/Kari Heistad
Andrew Farrell: The Revolution will likely keep Andrew Farrell given that he’s capable of playing at center back or right back and that he had a decent season, complete with a solid performance at the All-Star game. But Jay Heaps and Mike Burns need to nail down one position for this player as soon as possible, and then build the rest of the back line around him. Status: Keeper.
Jose Goncalves: Arguably the biggest disappointment of the season. JoGo looked nothing like his 2013-self, which won the Defender of the Year award, or anything close to what the Revolution were used to in his first three years with the club. Bad seasons happen and the club did not set him up for success with the back line they assembled around him, but Goncalves needed to be better. He also said after Sunday’s win against the Montreal Impact that he was noncommittal on a 2017 return. That generally means he’s keeping his options very open and would not be opposed to not returning. Status: Up in the air.
Jordan McCrary: Never really emerged as a contender for the 18, let alone the starting lineup. It’s possible that the Revs wait around for him to develop in his second year, but unlikely. Status: Goner.
Donnie Smith: Came into the lineup briefly with Chris Tierney injured midway through the season, but never emerged as a consistent, reliable option on the left. Heaps has brought back Smith – surprisingly – three separate times since first drafting him in 2013. With the defense needing as much help as possible this off-season, Smith’s spot may be one of the first the club chooses to open. Verdict: Goner.
London Woodberry: Had the Revolution actually replaced AJ Soares or seen that Jose Goncalves was playing below standard or realized that they lacked depth, London Woodberry would never have been switched to center back. Woodberry is not a center back. He is a winger and a strong crosser of the ball. Imagine if it was him crossing to Kei Kamara from time to time? Re-assigning Woodberry to his natural position for 2017 is a smart, albeit low-key move for the Revs. Verdict: Keeper.
Chris Tierney: The best left foot in the league. He loves playing for his hometown team and is incredibly versatile and dangerous on the flank. Heaps and Burns need to find a second left back, though. Verdict: Keeper.
Midfield
Lee Nguyen takes on the Portland Timbers. Photo courtesy of Kari Heistad
Kelyn Rowe: He was just signed to a multi-year deal, so it’s highly unlikely he goes anywhere, especially since he was one of the team’s best players this season and seems like an integral part of the 4-4-2 diamond that worked so well for the Revolution in the last two months of the campaign. Verdict: Keeper.
Daigo Kobayashi: Daigo doesn’t have the fastest pace or the most clinical of instincts in the attack, but he’s still quite useful off the bench. Whether that’s enough to keep a 33-year-old who makes $136,000 per year, according to the MLS Players Union, remains to be seen. Verdict: Up in the air.
Xavier Kouassi: Did not play at all this season due to ACL surgery, but he’s a designated player and the Revolution will want him in the middle next to Scott Caldwell next season. It’s worrisome that a veteran, European player coming off an ACL tear is going to be forced to play an entire season on turf. But if all goes well, maybe Kouassi is the second coming of Jermaine Jones, which can unlock Lee Nguyen, Diego Fagundez, Juan Agudelo, and Kei Kamara. Verdict: Keeper.
Scott Caldwell: Certainly saw a different, more physical, more emotional side of Caldwell this season. None of that changes the fact that he’s one of the most underrated holding midfielders in the league and one of the few consistent players the Revs had last season. Verdict: Keeper.
Lee Nguyen: Fell off the U.S. national team wagon and never really established a meaningful partnership in the attack with Kei Kamara. Look for that to be one of the Revs’ top areas of focus in the off-season and preseason. Status: Keeper.
Teal Bunbury: His finishing and decision-making left much to be desired this season. And that’s not good enough for a player who makes $250,000 per year. He grew up in Minnesota and could very well make a switch to Minnesota United, or somewhere else, this off-season. Verdict: Goner.
Gershon Koffie: Struggled with injuries for much of the season, which hurt the Revs’ ability to defend and deal with transitions. His salary is high ($261,000), which could be a deterrent to keeping him. Verdict: Up in the air.
Je-Vaughn Watson: Injury-prone and often gone with the Jamaican national team, but Watson was one of the most underrated players for the Revolution this season. Verdict: Keeper.
Zachary Herivaux: A homegrown player, so he’s almost definitely going nowhere. Had an excellent first full season, particularly in the US Open Cup. Verdict: Keeper.
Steve Neumann: The former no. 3 Superdraft pick was on the fringes for much of the year, but showed in his limited time on the pitch that he’s very technical and tactical. Whether the Revs opt to keep him is unclear, but they’d be smart to. He’s a young player with tremendous upside, and seems like he only needs more playing time to truly find his legs. Verdict: Up in the air.
Forward
Kei Kamara scored against Columbus to lead the Revolution to victory. Photo/Kari Heistad
Diego Fagundez: Rumors have swirled the last three years that teams in Europe are interested in signing Fagundez. Then, poof, said rumors go away. Fagundez is by far the most intriguing young talent on the Revolution and they can certainly build around that. But if another team comes along this off-season again sniffing for Fagundez, do the Revs bite if the price is right? Let’s say he stays unless a suitor comes around in December. Verdict: Up in the air.
Kei Kamara: They have to keep him. If not for the fact that they poured tons of resources into signing him, then because he’s scored 11 goals, which is the most on the team. Again, the Revs need to look this off-season into figuring out the Kamara-Nguyen-Fagundez-Agudelo quartet, assuming all of them stick around. Verdict: Keeper.
Juan Agudelo: Like Brad Knighton, played his heart out in the final third of the season and even got back into the U.S. national team fold. Agudelo’s problem has always been consistency in terms of finding the back of the net. But shame on the Revs if they can’t find a way to be one of the most dangerous attacking teams in 2017 with their current group of strikers. Verdict: Keeper.
Femi Hollinger-Janzen: No player was a greater joy to watch this season than Femi Hollinger-Janzen. With humility, he came into the league and fought hard for a place on the Revolution, eventually getting appearances, starts, and goals. He offered plenty of energy each time he came in off the bench. Status: Keeper.
To sum up:
Keepers: Brad Knighton, Darrius Barnes, Andrew Farrell, London Woodberry, Chris Tierney, Kelyn Rowe, Xavier Kouassi, Scott Caldwell, Lee Nguyen, Je-Vaughn Watson, Zachary Herivaux, Kei Kamara, Juan Agudelo, Femi Hollinger-Janzen
Goners: Matt Turner, Jordan McCrary, Donnie Smith, Teal Bunbury
Up in the air: Bobby Shuttleworth, Cody Cropper, Jose Goncalves, Daigo Kobayashi, Gershon Koffie, Steve Neumann, Diego Fagundez
For the record, all of the so-called goners add up to $427,000 in cap space.
Follow Julian on Twitter @juliancardillo
