Sene’s Option Declined by NY

Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com

Four months after he was traded to New York, former Revolution striker had his contract option declined by the Red Bulls, who announced the transaction on Tuesday.

Sene was among five players, including former U.S. International Bobby Convey, who had their options declined by the club. Sene could presumably be made available to other teams via the Re-Entry Draft, which starts on Dec. 12 and resumes on Dec. 18.

The 25-year-old striker made five substitute appearances for the Red Bulls following his Aug. 12 trade from New England, who acquired Andre Akpan and allocation money in exchange. The Revolution also sent an international roster spot to New York as part of the deal.

After joining New England via free transfer from Bayern Munich II prior to the 2012 season, the French forward became the first Revolution player to reach double-digits in the goalscoring department since 2008 when he collected 11 goals. Though an ACL injury in August cut his season short, his blonde Mohawk made him a fan favorite, and at one point, had one of the best-selling jerseys in the league.

But he struggled to follow up with similar success in 2013, a season in which he struggled to regain his form. He scored five goals and added five assists as coach Jay Heaps moved him out to the wing with Juan Agudelo taking the reins up top. He suffered another serious injury later that season, with a broken ankle sidelining him for a number of months.

Things only got worse in 2014, as Sene briefly left the club in April, only to return without answering reporters’ questions about his absence. He starred in the team’s 2-0 Open Cup win over Rochester, and scored in the team’s 3-1 league loss to the Union on Jun. 28, but only saw the field once more before he was jettisoned to New Jersey.

He was listed on the Red Bulls gameday roster for Saturday’s second leg of the Eastern Conference Final, but did not see the field.

In 59 career appearances for the Revolution, he scored 17 goals and collected eight assists.