Rookies Kinne, Koger and Sousa sign on

With just over two weeks remaining until the start of the regular season,  the 2011 New England Revolution’s First Kick roster is taking shape.

Forward/midfielder Ryan Kinne has impressed in preseason and scored the winning goal against UCF. (Photo by CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

On Thursday, the team announced the signing of rookies Ryan Kinne, Alan Koger, and Andrew Sousa, leaving the team with no more unsigned players in preseason camp.

“We believe we’ve added three players in Ryan, Alan and Andrew who will have promising careers,” Revolution Vice President of Player Personnel Michael Burns said. “They put in a great effort during preseason to earn roster spots and all three are will provide us depth in the attack.”

Kinne, a third round selection in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, has been perhaps the most impressive of the trio this preaseason. During the team’s preseason trip to Orlando, he saw time in all three of the Revolution’s preseason matches, accumulating over 125 minutes at right midfield in the process. The Monmouth University product was just one of two rookies to start in the Revs opening match against the University of Central Florida.  And he made the most of it, getting on the scoresheet with a full volley from the top of the box in the 36^th minute, which proved the game winner. The creative midfielder/forward was also active in several other Revolution attacks throughout the three games.

With his new contract, Kinne finally completes his lifelong goal of playing professional soccer. And for the Naugatuck, Conn. Native, that journey begins with the team he grew up watching.

“To see [I was picked by] New England, a team that was right up the street from me and I’ve watched since MLS was around was something special,” said Kinne after he was drafted. “I really look forward to playing for them.”

Koger, the Revs final selection in the third round and last overall pick of the 2011 SuperDraft, didn’t get as much of an opportunity to impress in a crowded field of forwards. The rookie striker had seen just 45 minutes thus far during the preseason – all of which came in the first half of the Revs match against the U.S. U-17s. Though he didn’t find the back of the net, he did enough to beat out fellow rookie forward Steven Perry for a spot on the roster.

Unlike Kinne, Koger, a William & Mary product, was hardly confident going into the Draft and was surprised to find out he had been selected.

Andrew Sousa has previously expressed his excitement to be a part of the team he grew up watching. (Photo by CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

“I was like ‘I don’t believe it, there’s no way. It must be a mistake,’” he said after the Draft.

Sousa, a Fall River, Mass. native who attended Providence College, was taken by the Revs in the third round of the 2011 MLS Supplemental (42^nd overall).  Sousa, a central midfielder, saw just under 75 minutes in Orlando, playing against UCF and the U.S. U-17s.

Like Kinne, Sousa grew up a fan of the team.

“It was a dream come true,” said Sousa after his selection. “They were the team I grew up watching. And now to be able to put their jersey on and help them win? It’s a different feeling.”

The signing of Kinne, Koger, and Sousa leaves the Revs roster at 26 players. With the team expected to complete the signing of a Nigerian winger soon, the Revs roster will be at 27, three short of the maximum of 30.