By Julian Cardillo
For Juan Agudelo, it’s as if he never left.
“I’ve been welcomed back like a familiar face and I see lots of familiar faces,” said Juan Agudelo Tuesday afternoon in a conference call from the Revolution’s pre-season base in Casa Grande, Ariz.
“Juan’s been training with the guys for just a few days and he’s comfortable with everyone. We’re fortunate he’s here before,” added Revolution head coach Jay Heaps.
Had the Revolution had it their way, Agudelo never would have left. He transformed their offense and helped carry the team to the playoffs. But seeking European playing experience, he signed a pre-contract with England’s Stoke City at the conclusion of the 2013 MLS season. Due to immigration issues, his work permit was denied and he proceeded to hopscotch his way around Europe for one year, failing to permanently latch onto a team.
The time Agudelo spent abroad tested his adversity, though it was a learning experience as well.
“I don’t regret any decision,” Agudelo said. “It’s unfortunate that a club made a major effort to get a player they wanted badly and that there are rules that exist to prevent that from happening.
“The experience made me a different player than when I left, in terms of seeing how players handle themselves there,” he added. “It wasn’t just being there for two weeks to train, I was there a while. I learned how to create enough space for myself on my field to do what I need to do, I’m excited to show everyone what I can do.”
Heaps has known what Agudelo was capable of all along and admitted to keeping his former No. 10 (Agudelo is interested in taking No. 17 now that his old number belongs to Teal Bunbury) on his radar. By December, Heaps saw an opportunity to bring Agudelo back and began exploring it.
Agudelo did his part, too. Even though the Revolution retained his MLS rights, it was down to him to be enthusiastic about coming back. Fortunately for the Revolution, he was. He followed the Revolution closely while he was abroad, keeping in touch with his former teammates and even watching the MLS Cup. And when the time came to make a decision about returning to MLS to play for the Revolution he thought about himself, his fiancée, and his baby on the way, realizing coming back to New England was an ideal move.
“This was a place I was comfortable with. It was an important family decision. If I was single, I wouldn’t have worried about any other things, I would have pushed myself in Europe any way that I could.”
Ultimately, though, he had faith in returning to his old stomping grounds—Gillette Stadium—where Agudelo and Swagudelo are synonymous.
“Everyone on this team did everything they possibly could last year, going up against a strong Galaxy team in the final,” said Agudelo. “Everyone did their part. It’s a team that went so far. My itch is to help as much as I can.”
