Joseph Says He Had “Rocky Relationship” with Heaps Before Trade
- Updated: August 7, 2012
Jay Heaps and Shalrie Joseph chat during a preseason drill. On Monday, Joseph asserted that he and Heaps had a “rocky relationship” in the weeks leading to his trade to Chivas USA. (Photo: Chris Aduama/aduama.com)
Happy days they were not for Shalrie Joseph as his time in New England came to a close.
According to a report from MLSSoccer.com, the former Revolution captain hinted that he and head coach Jay Heaps weren’t exactly the best of friends in the weeks leading up to his trade.
“We had a rocky relationship for the last couple of weeks,” Joseph told mlssoccer.com on Monday. “Me and Jay started off great, and it just hit a road where both of us weren’t seeing in the same direction, we weren’t going in the same direction. With me, it’s all about moving forward, trying to better myself, trying to better the team and that wasn’t happening.”
Indeed, it was clear that things between the Joseph and Heaps – who played together from 2003-09 – weren’t copacetic in recent weeks. On Jul. 8, Joseph was dropped from the starting XI, and earned only one start in his last five games with the Revolution.
Then came the stunning trade to Chivas USA on Wednesday, as the longtime Revolution midfielder was shipped to Southern California for midfielder Blair Gavin, the Goats’ natural 2013 second round selection and allocation money.
Shortly after the announcement, Joseph took to Twitter to express his disappointment with the move.
“1 of the saddest days of my life,” Joseph wrote on Wednesday. “I believed n trusted I would retire a Rev. It’s a tough business but am looking to the future.”
But on Monday, Joseph was anything but sad shortly after his first training session as a member of the Rojiblancos.
“For me to come down here in a nice place, a nice environment … it put a big smile on my face,” Joseph said. “I’m moving into a team that’s in the hunt for the playoffs, a great environment, great locker room, great players around me. That’s what the big smile’s about.”
Although Joseph was all smiles in the company of his new teammates, Joseph couldn’t resist the temptation to throw a verbal jab at his former place of employment.
“Being able to practice in this kind of weather and practice on grass every day, that’s going to do so much for my career [and] extend my career,” Joseph said.
The Revolution regularly train on the grass fields behind Gillette Stadium.
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Chris B
August 7, 2012 at 11:10 pm
“The Revolution regularly train on the grass fields behind Gillette Stadium.”
Is it bad that I laughed at this line? It’s like Joseph was almost trash talking the Revs and you got the last laugh!
ABU
August 7, 2012 at 11:19 pm
I personaly prefer the Jeff Larentowicz verbal jabs from the Globe article a couple years back.
You can’t blame Joseph if he feels bitter. The guy had a move locked for Celtic where he was going to play for one of the world’s biggest clubs, play in Europe, and make a ton more money. You can say “hey it’s just business” all you want but I think most people would be bitter if they were in Joseph’s shoes right now.
Chris B
August 8, 2012 at 1:12 pm
Then he should be bitter at MLS because the league itself prevented that move.
ABU
August 8, 2012 at 7:42 pm
I’m sure the Revolution had a say as well. I do recall hearing that the Revs were against the move.
silvasoccer
August 8, 2012 at 9:23 pm
I just hope that Joseph helps this team to the playoffs, after last sat i have the felling that this coach wont be here to long,if some one would ask me,Q,what you have to do to turn things around, afetr 4 losts and 1 tie, i would say, even do we ben working hard at training, we sure going to work even harder, and we have to play better then we did last sat,because if we play good we will have a better chance to win, not just saying, WIN, Joseph all the bets to you man, you was allways a a player that give it all for the Revs, one thing for sure this coach will not be here 10 like you
W Peter Jones
August 8, 2012 at 10:36 pm
Good Luck to Joseph @ Chivers I hope they win the MLS Cup with him??? I think Joseph is a far better player than Benny F????????? Joseph gave his heart to the revs over the years? Benny F is over rated and over paid(same money as Joseph) Benny F gives up a lot of balls to the other team and he is Mike Burns player. Taylor Twellman was another player who was offerd a contract in the UK @ Preston Northend but the Revs and the MLS said NO
pRS
August 19, 2012 at 5:04 am
Should have traded Heaps.