Revolution Cut Roster Down to 20

Photo: Kari Heistad/CapturedImages.biz

The New England Revolution ended a busy Monday across the MLS by declining the contract options of nine players.  Goalkeepers Larry Jackson, Luis Soffner, and Joe Nasco, defender Jossimar Sanchez, midfielders Shalrie Joesph, Donnie Smith, and Alec Sundly, and strikers Andre Akpan, and Tony Taylor all were removed from the Revolution roster after their options were declined.

The biggest name on the list is Shalrie Joesph, one of the greatest Revolution players of all-time who returned to the Revolution before the 2014 season.  However, Joesph didn’t make an appearance during his second stint with the Revs, hampered by injuries for the majority of the season.

Andre Akpan carries the most MLS experience among the remaining players, as he’s made 41 appearances and 10 starts over his 7-year MLS career with the Rapids and Red Bulls.  Akpan was traded mid-season to the Revolution in the Saer Sene trade, but never appeared for the Revolution.

Also on the list are a trio of goalkeepers including Joe Nasco, who the Revolution traded for earlier on Monday for Geoffrey Castillion and Dimitry Imbongo.

The nine players combined made a total of two appearances with the Revolution, with Donnie Smith and Tony Taylor making an appearance in one game each.

In addition to these nine players, defender Stephen McCarthy was not extended a bona fide contract offer and no longer has a contract with the Revolution.  The former first-team center-back made 69 appearances and 63 starts with the Revolution, but after playing only one match in 2014, is now a free agent.

These transactions leave the Revolution at 20 players, 17 of which have had their options exercised or have guaranteed contracts.  The remaining three players are reserve goalkeeper Brad Knighton, defender A.J. Soares, and forward Teal Bunbury.

It is noteworthy that Bunbury, whose contract expired after the 2014 season, was protected from Wednesday’s expansion draft, which implies the Revolution are confident in re-signing him.  It is rumored that A.J. Soares, the 2014 Revolution defender of the year, is looking to pursue a career in Europe.

The complete Revolution roster, as of Tuesday morning, is below.  Players that are bolded are protected from the expansion draft on Wednesday.

Goalkeepers: Bobby Shuttleworth; Brad Knighton (unsigned)

Defenders: Kevin Alston; Jose Goncalves; Andrew Farrell; Chris Tierney; Darrius Barnes; A.J. Soares (unsigned)

Midfielders: Kelyn Rowe; Lee Nguyen; Daigo Kobayahi; Jermaine Jones; Scott Caldwell; Diego Fagundez (will not be selected in expansion draft); Steve Neumann; Andy Dorman

Forwards: Charlie Davies; Jerry Bengtson (on loan); Patrick Mullins; Teal Bunbury (unsigned)

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