Shalrie Traded to Chivas USA

Longtime captain Shalrie Joseph was traded to Chivas USA on Wednesday for Blair Gavin, a 2013 second round pick and allocation money. (Photo: Kari Heistad/CapturedImages.biz)

It was news that shook the core of Revolution supporters from Portland to Providence and points in between.

On Wednesday, the Revolution traded club captain Shalrie Joseph to Chivas USA for midfielder Blair Gavin, Chivas USA’s natural second-round selection in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft and allocation money.

“Trading Shalrie was a not a decision we made easily,” General Manager Michael Burns said in a statement. “Shalrie has been one of the faces of the club for a decade, but we had to take a hard look at our roster and decide where we needed to be as we look toward the future.”

The 34-year-old midfielder, who was drafted by the Revolution in 2002, collected eight MLS All-Star nominations during his tenure in New England. He was a major part of the Revolution’s last three MLS Cup runs (2005-07) and was named club captain prior to the start of the 2009 season.

Joseph, who signed a designated player deal during the offseason, scored three goals and added an assist in 18 games this season. But in recent weeks, the club captain had been dropped from the starting XI on two separate occasions.

In acquiring Gavin, along with the Goats’ 2013 second round pick and allocation money, Burns said that the club gets a player with bright future, as well as room to orchestrate additional signings.

“With this trade,” Burns said. “We gain a significant amount of roster flexibility and add a player in Blair Gavin who has great potential, an additional draft pick next year, plus allocation money – all of which provides us options to improve the team.”

News of the deal first surfaced early Wednesday morning after Joseph’s agent, Ron Waxman, posted the following message via Twitter:

“.@cdchivasusa acquires DP @ShalrieJoseph21 from @NERevolution. Great pick up for the Goats. Best of luck to the superstar on the west coast.”

With Joseph’s departure, Matt Reis, who joined the team in 2003, becomes the longest tenured player on the Revolution roster.

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