New England Soccer Today

Revs Notes: Belgian Int’l Joins Camp, Home Date w/ NY Moved

There’s no doubt that finding a goalscorer is the name of the game of the New England Revolution front office this offseason. And after their revised preseason roster was released on Sunday, they just may have a player in camp who fits the bill.

In addition to Academy players Zach Herivaux and Austin Aviza, as well as undrafted goalkeeper Jason Dodson, the Revolution welcomed Belgian International Marvin Ogunjimi to camp in Tucson, Ariz., where the Desert Diamond Cup preseason tournament kicks off on Wednesday.

Ogunjimi, who’s listed as one of the Revolution six unsigned camp participants, is a 26-year-old forward who’s spent the bulk of his career in the Belgian First Division, albeit with four different clubs. He started his pro career with Genk in 2004, and scored 30 goals in 84 games from 2004-2011.

The 6-1, 180lbs. striker was signed by La Liga side Mallorca late in 2011, but failed to carve out a role before he was loaned out to three different Belgian sides. He most recently played with Oud-Heverlee Leuven, where he failed to register a goal in 18 games.

Published accounts state that Ogunjimi is a classic number 9, a strong and imposing striker who’s good in the air and can use both feet. His build and abilities are similar to that of Juan Agudelo, who reversed the fortunes of a struggling Revolution offense shortly after he was acquired from Chivas USA last May.

Interestingly, the Belgian forward has scored five goals in seven games for his national team, but hasn’t been capped since October 2011.

With the club attempting to fill the sizable void left in the wake of Agudelo’s departure, Ogunjimi is likely to get every opportunity to show the technical staff that he can shoulder the load up top.

Revs move match against New York

Given the recent announcement of the Portugal-Mexico international friendly at Gillette Stadium set for Jun. 6, the Revolution pushed back their previously-scheduled Jun. 7 match against the New York Red Bulls to Jun. 8. Kickoff for the new date is set for 5 p.m.

The change was presumably made to allow stadium staff additional time to prepare the field prior to the Revolution-Red Bulls contest.

The last time Gillette Stadium hosted an international friendly – a Sept. 10, 2013 clash between Portugal and Brazil – a grass field was installed over the artificial surface days in advance, allowing the Revolution to play its Sept. 8 game against Montreal on a natural surface.

It is unclear whether the Jun. 8 game will be played on grass.

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