Joseph Says He Had “Rocky Relationship” with Heaps Before Trade

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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