New England Soccer Today

Bunbury’s Back

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

The New England Revolution assured a major part of their 2014 Eastern Conference Champion team will return in 2015 after re-signing forward Teal Bunbury to a multi-year deal. New England now has 10 of 11 starters from last year’s impressive run to MLS Cup under contract for 2014.

“We’re excited to bring Teal back this season,” Revolution general manager Michael Burns said in a release from the club. “Teal is a talented, young player who’s brought a dynamic element to our system, and we’re expecting him to continue being a key contributor on the field.”

Bunbury, who saw most of his time starting as a right winger, tallied four goals and six assists in 31 regular season games after being traded to the Revolution from Sporting Kansas City in exchange for the Revolution’s 2015 first round SuperDraft pick and allocation money. The six-foot-two attacker added two goals and two assists for the Revolution in the playoffs.

“I want to be somewhere where I know what I’m going to get from the guys,” Bunbury told MLSSoccer.com. “I know that they’re going to be able to push me to be the best that I can be and vice versa. Knowing that we have unfinished business was definitely a factor for me.”

The 24-year-old made four appearances for the U.S. National Team between 2010 and 2012 before suffering a torn ACL and seeing limited minutes with Kansas City while recovering in 2013. Bunbury proved his recovery in 2014 with 31 games played, 28 games started, 2,446 minutes played and six assists, all career highs.

Bunbury’s return leaves center back A.J. Soares as the lone starter from New England’s MLS Cup team not to return for 2015. Reports have Soares joining Italian Serie A club Hellas Verona. The Revolution now have 19 players under contract for 2015, including forward Jerry Bengtson who is currently loaned to Argentina’s Club Atlético Belgrano.

Bunbury told MLSSoccer.com that he “always wanted to stay here in New England.”

Absolutely buzzin to stay here in New England! So grateful to have this amazing opportunity. Praise God! #NERevs

A photo posted by Teal Bunbury (@tealbunb) on

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