Chaz is Back: Shalrie Returns to Revs on Trial
- Updated: February 22, 2014
(Photo: Kari Heistad/CapturedImages.biz)
Believe it or not, but Shalrie Joseph is back with the New England Revolution. At least for the time being.
On Saturday, revolutionsoccer.net’s Jeff Lemiuex confirmed that the former skipper is one of two new preseason trialists (former Vancouver midfielder Daigo Kobayashi the other) in camp with the club in Tucson, Ariz.
Yes, Shalrie Joseph is indeed in #NERevs camp as a trialist. Wearing number 47, could be available tonight vs. Chivas USA.
— Jeff Lemieux (@jeff_lemieux) February 22, 2014
Coincidentally, the Revolution are set to play Chivas USA – the team Joseph was traded to back in Aug. 2012 – on Saturday in a Desert Diamond Cup clash, and the longtime defensive midfielder could see action as soon as then.
The question, of course, is how serious the Revolution are about acquiring Joseph. The 35-year-old center half remains under contract with the Seattle Sounders, but is coming off his worst season to date in MLS. In 2013, Joseph struggled with injuries and fitness, and was limited to playing 10 games for Seattle last year, scoring only one goal. He never started more than two straight games, and did not see action in the club’s final 11 matches.
Last month, Sounders coach Sigi Schmid publicly conceded that Joseph, who reportedly took a pay cut to allow Seattle to sign Clint Dempsey last summer, probably wouldn’t return for a second season in the Emerald City.
“Shalrie is still a member of our team, but right now he’s not really in our plans,” Schmid told the media last month. “As we move forward, we’ll see how that resolves itself. I’m not sure what the ultimate resolution will be, but right now he’s not in our plans for this season.”
Joseph, who was originally drafted by the Revolution in 2002, still holds the club record for career appearances (261) and minutes (22,867). He was named to eight MLS All-Star rosters during his nine seasons in New England, and was a fan favorite. He was traded to Chivas USA on Aug. 1, 2012 for Blair Gavin, a 2013 second round pick and allocation money.
If Joseph does see action in Saturday’s preseason clash, he will don the #47 jersey.
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