Blockbuster: Revs Acquire Kamara
- Updated: May 12, 2016
Hours before the close of the league’s transfer window, the Revolution acquired 2015 MVP finalist Kei Kamara from Columbus Crew SC on Thursday for allocation money, two draft picks, and an international roster spot.
Kamara, whose 22 goals tied him for the league lead in 2015, was also named to the 2015 AT&T MLS All-Star roster, chosen for end-of-the-year MLS Best XI, and nominated for the Etihad Airways MLS Player of the month four times, helping lead Columbus to its first MLS Cup final since 2008. He will occupy a designated player spot on the Revolution roster.
“We have been looking to strengthen our team and we feel that this addition accomplishes just that,” said Revolution General Manger Michael Burns said in a team release. “Kei is a player who has had success and is a proven goal scorer in MLS. We’re pleased we were able to get this deal done and look forward to Kei’s arrival and integration into the team.”
Kamara was at the center of controversy over the weekend after he engaged in animated discussion with Crew teammate Federico Higuain over a penalty try, which Kamara felt he should take. But Higuain overruled him, leading to an embarrassing on-field argument that prompted Michael Parkhurst to rush over to separate the two.
The addition of Kamara gives New England a proven and reliable scorer, which the 1-3-7 (10 points) Revolution have lacked due to injuries to forwards Charlie Davies and Juan Agudelo. Through its first 11 matches, New England is scoring a meager 1.18 goals/game, and sports a league-worst negative-7 goal differential.
Thursday’s trade marked the second time in less than three years that the Revolution and Crew have orchestrated a high-profile deal. In January 2014, the Revolution sent the rights to Parkhurst – who was coming off a spell in Europe to return to MLS – to Columbus for a first-round draft pick and allocation money.
As part of the trade, the Revolution sent General Allocation Money, Targeted Allocation Money, their highest First Round MLS SuperDraft pick in 2017, their highest Second Round MLS SuperDraft pick in 2018, and an international roster spot for the 2016 season to Columbus. Additionally, Crew SC will retain a percentage of any future transfer fee for Kamara should he be transferred to a club outside of MLS.
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About Brian O'Connell
Rick Sewall
May 12, 2016 at 7:43 pm
Give the 4-4-2 a chance. Kei and Juan could be really effective. Leister City uses it, so why not give it a shot?
Defensive problems can be solved when left and right backs can learn not to be ball-watchers.
Rick Sewall
May 12, 2016 at 9:37 pm
I meant Leicester City. What a team.
Peter
May 13, 2016 at 6:16 am
Good move Mr Burns The REVS need to play
more of an attacking role at home a 4 4 2 would b good u cannot play with one striker on top the REVS need to shoot at goal more often this passing the ball between each other is crap and frustrating Lee seems to be holding on to the ball to much instead of getting rid of it
Robert
May 13, 2016 at 9:11 am
At first look, the Revs gave a ton to Crew FC in money (reportedly, $500,000 in total allocation money) and draft picks, but tactically, Kamara fits perfectly with the club. The Revs are second in the league in crosses from the run of play, but, as we have seen, have had some difficulty converting those opportunities. Kamara excells in this area, so, hopefully, with Tierney, Watson, Nguyen, and Fagundez pouring the balls into the box some of those opportunities will find there way into the back of the net. And, I agree with everybody, if you add Juan as the second forward in a 4-4-2 then it will just increase those odds of scoring. It should be interesting as Heaps and Burns just stirred the pot.