Blockbuster: Revs Acquire Kamara

By Brian O'Connell
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Updated: May 12, 2016

Hours before the close of the league’s transfer window, the Revolution acquired 2015 MVP finalist Kei Kamara from Columbus Crew SC on Thursday for allocation money, two draft picks, and an international roster spot.

Kamara, whose 22 goals tied him for the league lead in 2015, was also named to the 2015 AT&T MLS All-Star roster, chosen for end-of-the-year MLS Best XI, and nominated for the Etihad Airways MLS Player of the month four times, helping lead Columbus to its first MLS Cup final since 2008. He will occupy a designated player spot on the Revolution roster.

“We have been looking to strengthen our team and we feel that this addition accomplishes just that,” said Revolution General Manger Michael Burns said in a team release. “Kei is a player who has had success and is a proven goal scorer in MLS. We’re pleased we were able to get this deal done and look forward to Kei’s arrival and integration into the team.”

Kamara was at the center of controversy over the weekend after he engaged in animated discussion with Crew teammate Federico Higuain over a penalty try, which Kamara felt he should take. But Higuain overruled him, leading to an embarrassing on-field argument that prompted Michael Parkhurst to rush over to separate the two.

The addition of Kamara gives New England a proven and reliable scorer, which the 1-3-7 (10 points) Revolution have lacked due to injuries to forwards Charlie Davies and Juan Agudelo. Through its first 11 matches, New England is scoring a meager 1.18 goals/game, and sports a league-worst negative-7 goal differential.

Thursday’s trade marked the second time in less than three years that the Revolution and Crew have orchestrated a high-profile deal. In January 2014, the Revolution sent the rights to Parkhurst – who was coming off a spell in Europe to return to MLS – to Columbus for a first-round draft pick and allocation money.

As part of the trade, the Revolution sent General Allocation Money, Targeted Allocation Money, their highest First Round MLS SuperDraft pick in 2017, their highest Second Round MLS SuperDraft pick in 2018, and an international roster spot for the 2016 season to Columbus. Additionally, Crew SC will retain a percentage of any future transfer fee for Kamara should he be transferred to a club outside of MLS.