Revs Notebook: Ogunjimi, Kobayashi Depart; D-Mid Larrea Arrives
- Updated: February 25, 2014
Belgian striker Marvin Ogunjimi and former Whitecaps midfielder Daigo Kobayashi are no longer in camp with the New England Revolution as it enters its final week of preseason action.
Ogunjimi, who joined camp just as the club arrived in Tucson for the Desert Diamond Cup, played in both of the club’s first two tournament matches last week. But his chances of making the club seemed to dwindle after Teal Bunbury was acquired from Sporting Kansas City on Thursday.
Kobayashi, who was famously – or infamously – referred to as “Player X” during the club’s first Desert Diamond Cup clash, also saw action in the club’s first two matches in Arizona. His free kick form was particularly noteworthy, and meshed well with the rest of the midfield during Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Chivas USA.
Another participant no longer is camp is goalkeeper Jason Dodson, who did not see any minutes during last week’s matches.
Meanwhile, Academy players Austin Aviza and Zach Herivaux returned home after spending their February vacation with the club. Herivaux played a combined of 26 minutes last week, while Aviza did not see action.
VETERAN DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER ARRIVES
With one more week of preseason matches ahead of them, the Revolution welcomed Spanish international Gorka Larrea to camp on Monday.
The 29-year-old defensive midfielder last played for Spanish second division side Numancia, but has been out of contract since July, according to transfermarkt.com.
His professional career commenced in 2002 with Real Sociedad B, before moving onto the club’s first team in 2004. He was loaned out to Almeria in in 2006, then went to Levante in 2008. He joined Numancia in 2011, but only played in 22 matches.
At 6-0, 170 lbs., Larrea appears to have the build of a classic #6, something the Revolution are looking for this winter. But given his lack of playing time over the last two years, Larrea is far from a lock at making the squad.
KHANO’S BACK
You read that right, Revolution supporters. Khano Smith is back in camp with the club this week. But unlike Shalrie Joseph, the tall Bermudan isn’t slated to play in either of this week’s matches.
Smith, who played for the Revolution from 2005-08 and 2010, came into camp this week as a guest assistant after current assistant Tom Soehn underwent emergency hip surgery while the team was in Tucson. In Soehn’s absence, Smith will assist Jay Heaps and Remi Roy with the day-to-day coaching duties.
The former midfielder is currently an assistant coach with the Revolution Youth Academy, and also plays for Bay State Soccer League side First Wave.
Related Posts
About Brian O'Connell
