Job (in)security

While veteran goalkeeper Matt Reis secured a contract extension last month and third-year ‘keeper Bobby Shuttleworth was recently elevated to the senior roster, several of their teammates will be heading into the 2011 preseason without agreements in hand.

First-year midfielders Zak Boggs, Jason Griffiths and Roberto “Betu” Linck, as well as ‘keeper Tim Murray, are all currently out of contract but will report to preseason camp, according to a January 4th report on Revolutionsoccer.net.

Boggs, a second-round selection in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, made nine appearances, including four starts, before his season ended early after sustaining a concussion last summer. The 24-year-old had seemingly played himself into a key role on the team after scoring twice against the then-unbeaten Columbus Crew in his first professional start on May 8^th until his season was sidetracked by injury weeks later.

Griffiths, a third-round selection in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, didn’t sign with the team until June 24^th, but managed 10 appearances and four starts for the Revs. The 23-year-old Englishman impressed Revs head coach Steve Nicol enough to earn a spot in the starting line-up next to Shalrie Joseph during the summer. But, after a nagging hamstring injury sent him to the sidelines during late-summer, he struggled to reclaim his place in the starting XI.

Linck showed promise in very limited minutes last season, but will need to earn a contract for 2011. (Photo by CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

Linck, who starred at Irvine Valley College (CA) prior to playing with the Chicago Storm(XSL), joined the team on July 30^th. The 22-year-old Brazilian made two substitute appearances and added creativity in the attack, but didn’t see the field after a 20-minute cameo at right midfield during the SuperLiga Final on September 1st. Linck subsequently suffered a strained right abductor injury on October 1st that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

Murray, a Haverhill, Mass. native, joined the club in April and inherited the third-string goalkeeper responsibilities. Murray saw no first team action, but served as back-up keeper when Reis and Burpo both suffered injuries at various points in the season.

Additionally, veteran midfielders Khano Smith and Nico Colaluca, as well as goalkeeper Preston Burpo, remain eligible to return after their contract options were declined and were not selected in the MLS Re-Entry Draft. However, it appears that the Revs are in no rush to re-sign any of the trio.

Meanwhile, Shuttleworth, who served as the Revs back-up goalkeeper for the bulk of the season before he was called into duty on May 29th after Preston Burpo suffered a serious leg injury, was elevated from the developmental to the senior roster. The 23-year-old ended up making six regular season starts, recording a 3-3-0 record and a 1.62 goals against average. With Reis back in the fold for 2011, Shuttleworth is expected to serve as the backup going into preseason camp.

2 Comments