New England Soccer Today

Alston Among 5 On Revs’ Re-Entry List

With the postseason no longer a possibility, players like Kevin Alston and Clyde Simms will be playing for pride during these final five games. (Photo: Kari Heistad/CapturedImages.biz)

(Photo: Kari Heistad/CapturedImages.biz)

MLS Comeback Player of the Year Kevin Alston is among five members of the 2013 New England Revolution squad that will be available for selection during the MLS Re-Entry Process, which will kick off on Thursday.

In addition to Alston, who played 121 career games for New England from 2009-2013, midfielders Ryan Guy, Juan Toja and Clyde Simms, as well as forward Chad Barrett, were all named on the 68-player Re-Entry List, which was released on Monday.

Stage 1 of the Process will take place via conference call on Thursday at 3pm ET. During Stage 1, clubs can claim players by exercising their current options or extending them a bona fide offer as stipulated by the CBA.

Stage 2 is scheduled for Dec. 18 at 3pm ET. Per league rules, clubs have seven days to make a bona fide offer to the players they select in Stage 2. Should the club and player fail to reach an agreement, the club will hold the right of first refusal for that player in MLS.

Clubs may still sign their Re-Entry Process eligible players through 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 11.  Additionally, eligible players may opt out of the Re-Entry Process between now and 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 11.

Any players not picked up after Stage 2 become available to any MLS club on a first-come, first-served basis. D.C. United holds the first selection, while the Revolution hold the 12th selection.

Alston was taken in the first round by the Revolution in the 2009 SuperDraft, and quickly became a mainstay on the backline. In April, he was diagnosed with a rare, but treatable form of leukemia, forcing him to take a leave of absence to undergo treatment. He returned to the team in July, and started the Revolution’s regular season finale at Columbus on Oct. 27.

Guy was signed by the Revolution in 2011, and played in 45 games for the local XI. He scored four goals and added two assists, but injuries reduced his role as the 2013 season progressed.

Toja came to the Revolution in August 2012 via the allocation order after a four-year spell in Europe. The former MLS All-Star never approached the form that made him one of the league’s most dynamic players in 2007 and 2008, and was often beset by injuries.

Simms joined the club via the Re-Entry Process in 2011 after an eight-year career with D.C. United. He was regular member of the starting XI in 2012, but like Guy and Toja, saw his playing time dwindle as the 2013 season reached the homestretch.

Barrett spent one season in Foxboro after he was acquired in the 2012 Re-Entry Process. He scored two goals and collected a pair of goals in 18 games during the 2013 season, primarily in a reserve role.

Notable names around the league who were also listed include former league MVPs David Ferreira (FC Dallas) and Dwayne De Rosario (D.C. United), as well as Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas) right back Sean Franklin (LA Galaxy).

Former Revolution players Wells Thompson (Chicago), Michael Videira (Chicago), James Riley (DC United), Chris Albright (Philadelphia), Blair Gavin (Seattle) and Brad Knighton (Vancouver) also made the list.

2013 RE-ENTRY DRAFT ELEGIBLE PLAYERS BY CLUB

Chicago Fire (9): M Corben Bone, D Shaun Francis, M Joel Lindpere, M Daniel Paladini, M Logan Pause, M Chris Rolfe, F Maicon Santos, M Wells Thompson*, M Michael Videira

Chivas USA (3): D Ante Jazic*, D Steve Purdy, M Josue Soto

Columbus Crew (2): M Danny O’Rourke, M Konrad Warzycha

Colorado Rapids (3): GK Steward Ceus, D Brian Mullan, M Jamie Smith

D.C. United (6): M Dwayne De Rosario, D James Riley, F Carlos Ruiz, M Marcelo Saragosa, M John Thorrington, D Daniel Woolard

FC Dallas (3): F Kenny Cooper, M David Ferreira, D Ugo Ihemelu

Houston Dynamo (5): D Bobby Boswell*, F Calen Carr*, D Mike Chabala, M Alex Dixon, F Cam Weaver

LA Galaxy (4): M Colin Clark, M Laurent Courtois, D Sean Franklin, M Pablo Mastroeni*

Montreal Impact (1): M Sinisa Ubiparipovic

New England Revolution (5): D Kevin Alston*, F Chad Barrett, F Ryan Guy, M Clyde Simms, M Juan Toja

New York Red Bulls (5): F Andre Akpan*, D Brandon Barklage, F Fabian Espindola, GK Kevin Hartman, D Heath Pearce*

Philadelphia Union (1): D Chris Albright*

Portland Timbers (2): D David Horst, D Ryan Miller

Real Salt Lake (4): M Yordany Alvarez, D Brandon McDonald, GK Josh Saunders, M Khari Stephenson

Seattle Sounders (6): D Marc Burch, GK Josh Ford, M Blair Gavin, M Mauro Rosales, F Steve Zakuani*

San Jose Earthquakes (4): D Nana Attakora, M Mehdi Ballouchy*, D Dan Gargan, GK Evan Newton

Toronto FC (2): F Justin Braun*, M Bobby Convey

Vancouver Whitecaps (4): GK Joe Cannon, F Tommy Heinemann, F Corey Hertzog, GK Brad Knighton

NOTE: * indicates players out of contract. All other players had their options declined.

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