Revs Decline Options on Trio

Five days prior to the first stage of the Re-Entry draft, the Revolution announced that it has declined the contract options on veterans Ryan Cochrane, Kheli Dube and Pat Phelan.

With the moves, all three are eligible for selection in the Re-Entry Draft as each has at least four years of MLS experience and are over the age of 25. A player can opt out of the Draft before 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 2. If a player is not selected in either Stage 1 (Dec. 5) or Stage 2 (Dec. 12) of the draft, he then becomes a free agent.

By virtue of finishing at the bottom of the MLS table, Vancouver will have the first opportunity to select from the 69 available players. The Revolution hold the second spot in the drafting order.

Cochrane, who was selected by the Revolution in the first round of last year’s Re-Entry Draft, gave the team much-needed leadership in the back. In 22 games, the eight-year veteran was paired with rookie center back A.J. Soares, and early on, it appeared the duo had given the Revs stability in the heart of the defense. But as the season progressed, Cochrane’s form faltered and lost his starting job by season’s end. He finished the year with one goal and an assist.

Dube was originally obtained in the first round of the 2008 Supplemental Draft  out of Coastal Carolina. In his first two seasons, the Zimbabwean forward put together a respectable numbers, scoring 10 goals in 46 games. Yet, he never experienced the same success after 2009, and his production plummeted during the last two years (3 goals in 26 games). In 2011, he suffered a whiplash-related injury in an auto accident in May, and was limited to five appearances off the bench.

Of the trio, perhaps the most surprising name is that of Phelan’s. After a trade with Toronto brought the Connecticut native back to the region in 2008, the former Demon Deacon became a valuable addition. During his time in New England, the central midfielder started 58 of 80 games for the Revs, and became a reliable option in the middle of the park or in the rear, when needed.

In a statement, Revolution General Manager Michael Burns alluded to the difficulty of parting ways with a set of players who’ve made an impact during their time in New England.

“The Re-Entry Process is not easy, and clubs are still getting used to it,” Burns said. “The process forces clubs to make difficult personnel decisions and part with players who have done a lot for them.”

Last year, the Revolution declined the options on Preston Burpo, Nico Colaluca, Cory Gibbs, and Khano Smith. Of the four, only Gibbs was selected in the draft when Chicago claimed him in second stage (seventh overall).

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