I don't think it's fair to say Omar sucks - he performed pretty well this year and was pretty consistent. That said, he's way overpaid for his role. And, for me, I'll always admire him for saying what needed to be said at the end of the season - especially considering it absolutely burned any remaining bridge for him to return. I think Makoun is a coaching failure - you can't tell me a guy who is a starter in CONMEBOL WC qualifying and can start against Brazil isn't good enough to play on the Revs (he becomes one of a history of Latin-American players that the Revs have not been able to utilize productively). If Maciel is still taking an international spot, that explains his option decline. If we're freeing up 2 international slots, that's a hopeful sign that at least we hope to better utilize them.
I am rooting for Boateng to get interest from somewhere else and force the Revs to pay him a decent salary or move on. For instance, I would agree that Omar did some good fill in this year. But, I have to say that Boateng has more impact than Omar, Sweat, Rennicks, Maciel, Spaulding…. IIRC he is released and renegotiated over and over. Does he have a horrible agent? I’m sure the response is that this player, who winds up having relatively high impact season after season, is really only worth 85K.
With the year end decisions and the impending arrival of Nick Lima, we are left with a grand total of.... 2 open roster spots. I dont know about yall but that's significantly less roster turnover than I was hoping to see
I agree, but there's still plenty of time for more outgoing transfers. For me, a perfect offseason (aside from the obvious of bringing in a decent head coach) would look something like this: 1. Sort out the GK issue. Either go with Vaklic (who does have the pedigree to be an MLS-quality GK, if last year's issue can be resolved), or bring in a replacement with a similar salary. 2. Bring back Bou on a TAM deal - although that's looking less likely with every passing day. 3. Find a way to sell Vrioni, then bring in a new DP #9. I really wanted it to work out with him, but it just isn't. 4. Use TAM (or the rumored 4th DP slot) to bring in a top-class defensive CM. This might be a controversial take, what with this being such a glutted part of our roster, but I think having REAL quality in the engine room could be what takes this team to the next level. Then, we could let Kaye go. 5. Bring in defensive depth with whatever $ and roster spots are left over. Lima was a good start. Another decent CB could be nice. Caveat* - I use the term "TAM" like I know what I'm talking about - but does anyone really know how all this nonsense works?
Bou posted a "thank you new England" video compilation I think the chances of seeing him return on a deal at any price point are slim.
Listening to the Revolution Recap podcast and they think that Kevyn Hitchcock is returning (and, needless to say, it remains to be seen whether he and Vaclik can/will work together).
If he was injured, not fit or bad form, it would have been one thing, but it was really disturbing to read where Vaclik said he hadn't even spoken with him in like 3-4 weeks...
Sounds like they are paying him over 400k to basically train by himself with no guidance. If Hitchcock comes back Onolfo and the new coach better read him the riot act and change things. Vaclik should be given a fair chance to earn the job
As I've said before, Hitchcock has a very impressive 5 year track record (Turner and Petro, and making EEJ a serviceable backup). It sounds like under Bruce he was given leeway to make GK decisions, including which ones were rostered. The org bypassing him to sign Vaclik seems like a miss by them, not the guy who knows more about GK than the entire remainder of the organization combined
So no coach and we have the following coming up: Dec. 6 - Dec. 9 - MLS College Showcase Dec. 11 - Trade Window Dec. 12 - End-Of-Year Waivers Dec. 13 - Free Agency Opens Dec. 14 - Re-Entry Process Stage 1 Dec. 19 - MLS SuperDraft - Revs pick 20th Dec. 21 - Re-Entry Process Stage 2 According to the Players association website, Gil, Farrell and Edwards Jr are free agents along with Sweat, Bou, Rennicks, Boateng, and Slowmar Gonzalez,
Gil is definitely under contract for next season - he acknowledged that in the wake of the whole Arena implosion. And, Farrell is back with another raise, up to something in the $600K range. For whatever reason, his salary has and continues to be kind of out of line with his peers. Maybe it's just from starting out as a top draft pick and getting step raises from there, but it seems like the club has never been interested in pushing back salary-wise, like they are with many/most other players. If I were Brandon Bye's or Dujuan Jones' agent, I would be demanding something at least comparable, seeing as they are inked-in, regular starters, while Farrell is ... not any longer.
Looks like the door is closed on Bou: Gracias, La Pantera | Magical memories and goals galore from Gustavo Bou Gustavo Bou scored 48 goals and added 21 assists in 108 league appearances for the New England Revolution from 2019-2023. revolutionsoccer.net
With Bou out, I'd expect that increases the likelihood that Vrioni goes unsold because Gil needs guys he trusts around him. Gil is really high on Vrioni, so I'd expect the Revs would be wary of pulling another security blanket from him. (Of course, a lot will depend on the coach-to-be.)
Agreed, but it's put-up-or-shut-up time. If he doesn't win the starting job and have 8+ goals by the Leagues Cup break, he'll be loaned out or sold.
Can't say I blame him. Only 15 appearances (2 starts) for the first team this year, 382 minutes. Nothing for R2. You can't grow if you don't play.
I'm not surprised rennicks is looking elsewhere. At this point he's been bypassed by other players from the academy who are younger than him. The revs clearly don't have a use for him either What's surprising is: Finland? The team he's joining us mid table in one of the worst 1st divisions in Europe. The average wage in the league is $40k pre tax (he made $120k in his final season with the revs), and it's not like Finland is known for being a great place to live. On top of that the leather didn't exactly export talent to better leagues; league wide ~3 players get sold every year to places like Norway I'm surprised he went that route as opposed to joining a usl side, where he would be paid more, taxed less, and probably have better living conditions.
Maybe he's just looking for a totally different experience in his life. I wish him well. He's not a great player, but he gives a good effort and seems like a good guy.
Finland is the happiest country on Earth, didn't you know that? https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/world-happiest-countries-2023-wellness/index.html Quality of life is pretty damn good in the Nordic countries, in general. As for why Finland over the USL? I hate to say it, but I suspect USL teams weren't interested.
That's weird. All the finns I know are clinically depressed, because there stuck in the snow 8 months of the year. Denmark/Sweden/Norway I'd totally get but not Finland