Does Shalrie like it? I don't...

We feel the same way...

Today the New England Revolution traded it's captain and franchise player, Shalrie Joseph, to Chivas USA for 23 year old midfielder Blair Gavin, a second round draft pick (whoop-de-fucking-doo) and allocation money.

Ok Ok let's get some things straight... Shalrie, this season... well he's been less than stellar.  If you haven't noticed I don't know what rock you've been living under.  While his skills in the midfield were lacking this season he made some good appearances as a defender and I would have liked to see that experiment continue. One must question the effect that trading your teams captain mid-season must have on the locker room.  Shalrie is certainly not without his faults over the past few years (arrest, drugs) but form everything we gather he was a big influence on the locker room and on younger players. This is a big shake up for the team both on and off the field.  Who becomes captain now?  Reis? Benny? Simms?

I'm guessing that Reis probably doesn't have much more time here himself, not a good option gong forward for the long term.  Benny is not option, it still looks and seems as if he doesn't want to be here, that he has some issues with not being called into the USMNT that has been effecting his attitude.  Simms is experienced but is new to this team, as a fan I'd like to see a player become captain that has been here for a while and is in it for the long haul.

Subtext: Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out...

Ok so let's get to the nuts and bolts of this trade... Who the fuck is Blair Gavin? No offense to Mr. Gavin but this team just traded it's most well know player, a DP and it's captain, for a relatively no-name player... a draft pick (I still think it's a crap shoot and not all that valuable... no you won't change my mind) and the ever mysterious allocation money.  How much allocation money have we gotten out of this?  Will we ever use it? We also traded a player the could fill in if needed in our depth depleted back line for another midfielder. We have 5 actual defenders...  13 midfielders... let's work on some defensive depth eh? You hearing me Burnsie and Heaps?

Was this a case of buyers remorse?  I was honestly a little surprised to hear Shalrie get signed to a DP contract, but I thought maybe this was a reward to Shalrie from the Revs FO  for his years of service in what may have been his last season before retiring. Hey now Krafty Bob gets to spend less!!

Shalrie will forever be one of the best and most loved players this team has ever had but he is certainly past his prime and on his way out. I still think we got a shitty deal... I'm not saying we should have gotten another DP level player... but we could have done better than this... I mean come on... no-name, second round draft pick, and allllllllllllocation moooooooney! There better be something big in the works or this team just traded a fan favorite for nothing.  If this is it... I will hold it against them and so should everyone else. I really hope there is more to this... and by more I mean not hedging our bets on Bocanegra or Edu... they must know it's a sure shot... or this was a waste and a big 'fuck you' to Shalrie and the fans.




p.s.  and now a fantastic chant that same fantastically talented person came up with is out of play...

New England Revolution Aquire Benny Feilhaber

Details are still few but the Revs have you used their #3 spot in the returning USMNT player allocation order to acquire Benny Feilhaber (CM/.AM) after both Chivas, and Philadelphia declined.  Rumor has it that his cap hit is somewhere between 300-400k dollars.  Feilhaber was previously playing in the Danish Superliga for AGF Aarhaus but left the team and signed with MLS last Friday.

Feilhaber, 26, has 38 caps and 2 goals with the USMNT including an infamous goal in the Gold Cup final in 2007 (see video).  Feilhaber has played with Derby County, Hamburg SV, and is a UCLA product.

It is possible that the Revs could still trade Feilhaber and rumor has it that Houston has made an offer.  The Revolution have not officially announced the signing as of yet.

Chivas Have Some Coronas... What should the Revs have?

"CARSON, Calif. (Tuesday, January 25, 2011) – In a landmark agreement between Club Deportivo Chivas USA of Major League Soccer and Grupo Modelo, the leading beer company in Mexico and one of the top brewers in the world, Corona Extra has become the presenting sponsor of Chivas USA. The multiyear agreement will see the logo of Corona Extra, the leading brand in Mexico and the top imported beer in the United States, on Chivas USA team gear, as well as having a significant and visible presence at Chivas USA’s home games and other events." (link)

So Chivas has officially picked up Corona as their new jersey sponsor, in light of that news we drew up some what if's for the Revolution... remember support your locals.  (Although the free money from a jersey sponsor sure would be great to pay for a Designated Player or something...)