MLS, Kraft Planning To Sell/Relocate Revolution after 2013?

Editors note: We recently received a very troubling anonymous email from someone who claims to be a senior staff member at Kraft Sports Group, the contents of which we have included below. TDIF has spent the last week working diligently to corroborate the claims made and continues to do so, but it must be said  that the following information, as yet, remains unconfirmed. We ask our readers to keep this in mind as they proceed with the understanding that we would not publish this unless we felt it was sufficiently plausible.

The following we are about to tell could be the biggest load of BS ever written or if true, would serve as the greatest indictment of the Kraft family's commitment to the New England Revolution and high level soccer in general: 

2013 could be the last season in Major League Soccer (MLS) for the New England Revolution, with Bob Kraft rumored to be considering a League proposal that would see him sell the club to an out-of-state buyer who would then relocate the franchise out of New England.

We have contacted multiple well-placed sources within the US Soccer community inquiring as to the veracity of these claims in an effort to confirm or refute them. To this point no one has denied them, confirmed them or expressed a willingness to discuss them, even on background and in confidence. We find this odd because in the past we've been fed stories that seem far fetched or unreasonable and have been able to find people who are very quick to tell us that it's not true. 

We can't with this, and no one seems willing to touch it with a 10 foot pole. They aren't interested in talking about it… at least not now.

Those are the reactions that we have gotten after telling them the following information that we received in that anonymous email referenced above and detailed below. Some of the information is known or previously assumed by many but the potential sale and relocation of the team is as new as it is frightening. Please note that we are not the only people within the Revs media circle (traditional or alternative) to have received this email, one that is reproduced in its entirety save for edits that were agreed upon to protect the possible identity of the source.

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...

2012 Supporters Summit Quotes and Editorial Part 1

This past Thursday the Revolution hosted its 3rd Annual Supporter Summit.  Members of the Midnight Riders and The Rebellion were invited ti ask questions of both Brian Bilello and Mike Burns.  Over the course of a few posts we will present selected in depth quotes on a number of subjects as well as some of our own editorial notes in italics where warranted

Bilello on an opening day doubleheader

"We are working on a double header for the opening game, it won't be extra, it will be your ticket to the game. The price will stay the same so for people who don't have season tickets it will be the price of a regular game, so just a bonus game that we're adding to the home opener, if it happens."


Burns on off season

"Without question this has been the busiest off season we've had since I started working in the Front Office. everything from new locker room , to new weight room, new video room, a new head coach, new assistant coach, another new coach and reserve coach who we haven't hired yet and are still going through the interview process, a new equipment manager, a new strength and conditioning coach.

Moreno Apparently Not The One... Already...

This picture totally works for this post too...

News coming out of Colombia today is saying that Jose Moreno, despite be announced as the New England Revolution's "new #9" last week will not be joining the Revs. In an article posted on the Colombian league's website Jose Moreno states that he was in discussions with the team but decided he wanted to stay with Once Caldas  despite a better financial situation in MLS.

Someone(s) screwed up big time somewhere.

Quality Of Life: Offseason 2012

With New England Revolution pre-season starting Monday, it is officially time for our Off-season 2012 Revolution Quality of Life Index. Since it's a new season we'll go over how the QoL works for those who forgot or the uninitiated.  If you are from the Boston area and read the Weekly Dig you will realize that I am 100% stealing this idea from them, so  don't tell me about how I am unoriginal and stealing and idea... I know.  Secondly, all numbers are absolutely arbitrary and decided by me and solely me. The QoL works on a PLUS/MINUS system and the total is at the bottom along with a link to the last QoL.


Front Office "Restructuring"




So with many clamoring for sweeping changes to be made in the Front Office after years of on and off the field decline, those sweeping changes happened.... well at least in the minds of Krafty JonBob... not so much to everyone else.

Yes they actually promoted Brian Bilello and Mike Burns.  I'm willing to give Bilello a little more wiggle room and time now that he has assumed the role that absentee club President Sunil Gulati once held.  However it's no secret that I do not care for Mike Burns and the fact that he now has more control over this team, a team that's fallen behind during his tenure, scares the shit out of me.  I still don't understand why the Krafts want to reward failure... not to savvy if you ask me.  MINUS 25

What are the Revs Doing vs. League

Everyday I'm shuffling... Rosters...

In the interest of being fair and honest about the New England Revolution's off-season moves we have compiled all MLS team moves for comparison.  Questions and claims are made that the Revs aren't doing enough and aren't doing what they should be compared to other teams, well here are the stats laid out for you to make your own decision.  We have compiled all players officially in/out since MLS cup until today.  Players that have been waived but to which a club still retains rights are counted as out.  Re-entry Draft selections are only considered in if they have signed, Homegrown Players also count as 'in'. 16 Internationals have been signed, 2 of which who were on loan last season. Please do not hesitate to email us if we have overlooked something.


The following stats exclude Montreal:
IN:
Average: 2.2
Revs: 1
Most In: Philadelphia Union
Least In: Colorado Rapids, Real Salt Lake

OUT:
Average: 6.9
Revs: 10
Most Out: New England Revolution, DC United, Vancouver Whitecaps
Least Out: LA Galaxy