After serving as a central role for the New England Revolution in 2017 midfielder Antonio Delamea finds himself on the outside looking in 2018.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – While there’s been plenty of discussion surrounding the ongoing Lee Nguyen saga in New England, the curious demotion of another key contributor has served as an interesting subplot at Patriot Place this spring.
Revolution center back Antonio Delamea, who won the team’s defender of the year award in 2017, hasn’t seen the pitch since his red card dismissal during the season opener. And according to Delamea, first-year coach Brad Friedel hasn’t given him an explanation.
“No, not really,” Delamea told prostamerika.com following Saturday’s loss to FC Dallas. “I’ve been training harder in the hopes of getting back in the (XI). But (ultimately), it’s his choice to pick the team and there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Photo credit: J. Alexander Dolan
To say that 2018 has been an eye-opener for Delamea would be an understatement.
Last January, he signed a rich contract ($400,000/year) with the Revolution, and secured one of the starting center back spots following a strong preseason. He then went on to start 29 games for the Revolution, and became the team’s most consistent defender.
But with a new face in the technical area, it appears that Delamea’s performance has come under greater scrutiny.
Friedel seemed to challenge the Slovenian center back throughout the winter, especially after Delamea looked sub-par during the 2018 preseason. Yet it appeared Delamea’s spot was secure.
Or not.
After serving his red card ban during Week 2, Delamea was dropped in favor of journeyman Jalil Anibaba, who’s held the spot ever since. New England then went on to post four-game unbeaten run (3-0-1) with Anibaba in the lineup before Saturday’s loss.
“I understand that after the team had a good run and won games, he didn’t want to make any changes,” Delamea said. “I totally understand it.”
Even so, Delamea said Friedel hasn’t explained what the first-year boss needs to see to win back his spot.
“No, not really,” Delamea said. “We haven’t talked since the preseason.”
Delamea also said he’s not sure what specifically led to his demotion, though he admits the red card in the opener didn’t help his chances.
“I don’t know,” Delamea said. “For the first week, it was hard for me to explain it, but now, it’s up to me to prove I deserve a place on the team.
That said, Delamea said the task of winning his job back isn’t exactly unchartered territory.
“It’s not the first time in my career that I’ve been in this situation,” Delamea said. “So I’m not looking at this like a negative thing, I think he’s pushing me to my limits to better myself.”
Delamea said he believes his chance will come, and after the Revolution’s four-game unbeaten run came to an end Saturday, he can’t help but think an opportunity to return to the XI may present itself this week.
“We’ll see now,” Delamea said. “Talking with me about it is not going to change anything. I just hope I can make it back to the team as soon as possible.”
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