Into the Unknown

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The scene outside the Revolution locker room on Wednesday brought with it a mixed bag of emotions.

As the players and coaches cleaned out their lockers and carried their belongings out in trash bags, many were probably relieved to finally put the 2011 season behind them, head home, and relax after tumultuous 34 games. A collective sigh, in a sense.

But while some were understandibly eager to forget the past six months, others exited Gillette Stadium unsure what to expect over the next six weeks with the announcement of a new coach, as well as the expansion and re-entry drafts, on the offseason agenda.

“I think everyone’s situation is a little different,” said midfielder Pat Phelan. “Some people are more secure than others. I feel like I’m kind of on the bubble, so there’s really not much I can do.”

At least not between now and January. Without a head coach in place, or any idea of how yesterday’s front office changes may impact the on-field product, many players in a position similar to Phelan’s will have no choice but to wait out the next few weeks in order to find out what their playing futures hold.

For Phelan, the waiting won’t be fun. Both he and his wife are planning to pursue MBAs in the offseason. But where they plan to enroll is a huge question mark at the moment.

“It’s like ‘Do we apply to Boston schools or do we do online MBAs?'” said Phelan. “Because we could end up God knows where so that’s difficult.”

But while some may be stuck in limbo, others like veteran goalkeeper Matt Reis is heading into the offseason carrying a renewed sense of optimism. Not only is the 36-year-old shot stopper healthy going into winter for the first time in years, but he’s also excited about the changes, and the impact they will have on the team next year.

“It’s exciting,” said Reis. “I think there’s a lot of optimism. I think the (front office) changes are the first step in putting everything into place that we need to compete.”

For Reis to make such a remark is telling. After witnessing the team’s four year slide since its 2007 MLS Cup appearance, the keeper commented that the silver lining of the team’s last place finish was that it finally set into motion some long overdue changes.

“To see them finally make the moves that are going to help us tremendously I think says a lot,” said Reis. “Unfortunately, we had to really (stink) to get these things going, but sometimes that’s what it takes – you have to be at your worst to try and make things the best.”

One thing that would make things better would be the signing of talented and proven players – including a certain Grenadian center half familiar to the area.

Although the team doesn’t publicly comment on contract negotiations, eight-time All-Star Shalrie Joseph, whose deal expires in the winter, said he’d like to get things wrapped up ASAP.

“Hopefully we’ll get it done in the next couple of weeks,” said Joseph. “I just want to get my situation done and know that I’m settled and whether I’m going or staying. I want to stay. I like being here and hopefully we can get it done (so) I’ll be here (for next year).”

Next year will be here sooner than ever. In the past, the team has typically kicked off its preseason around late-January/early-February, with a good 6-8 weeks worth of drills, scrimmages, and pre-season matches to prepare them for First Kick.

However, with the 2012 season expected to kick off in early-March, the players may be back in Foxboro by early-January. And with a new head coach likely anxious to take stock of the roster, the start of the preseason may come even sooner.

That’s something Phelan himself is looking forward to. With all the changes swirling around Gillette Stadium, the one place a player can find certainty is out on the pitch. But until the team returns to the practice pitch, all the center half and his teammates can do is stay upbeat until their new head coach calls them into camp.

“You just have to try to stay positive and think of good things, happy thoughts, and make the best of it,” said Phelan. “That’s part of the profession. You just have to deal with the best you can.”

And that’s all many on the Revolution roster can do right now, as they step into an offseason unlike any other in the team’s 16-year history.

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