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Will we ever see Taylor Twellman and Pat Noonan on the field together again? (Photo credit: Joyce Furia) |
However, still no championship banner flies at Gillette Stadium and the post-mortems that have followed recent seasons have, generally, come to a similar conclusion each year:
The Revs can perform consistently in the regular season and can win playoff games. This solid team, however, needs a final piece to solve the MLS Cup puzzle.
New England will contend once again in 2008. However, it cannot be argued that recent developments have not adversely affected the Revolution and fans are, once again, wondering if 2008 will be another so-near-yet-so-far season.
Since the end of last season, James Riley (San Jose) and Andy Dorman (St. Mirren) have already waved goodbye to New England. Squad players they may have ultimately been, but they will be difficult to replace. Furthermore, the news since the turn of the year that both of the side’s leading strikers may be looking for pastures new has done little to calm fans’ fears.
Preston’s pursuit of Taylor Twellman led to the Revolution’s all-time leading scorer speaking out, as he suggested he should be better rewarded for what he does. Twellman’s problem is one of timing, however. Having signed a contract, the length of which can reach four years, just 12 months ago, the striker’s hopes of garnering the move are almost zero.
Much like Shalrie Joseph’s situation of a year ago, by signing on the contract’s dotted line, Twellman handcuffed himself to the league for the duration of the deal or until it says he is free to leave. The Revolution will not sanction such a move, no matter what is the money on offer. Their talisman may be unhappy, but he will remain their talisman.
The news that Twellman’s strike partner and childhood friend, Pat Noonan, will not have his option automatically renewed for 2008 is interesting. It should be pointed out that the Revs are keen to renegotiate a new deal with the 27-year-old but, by allowing him to look at overseas options, the club has left itself open to losing the player. The example of Dorman shows that, while the standard of play may be the same on foreign fields, in terms of the money available, the rewards are much greater.
After the 2006 season concluded, Noonan signed a deal with the Revolution worth a reported $225,000. The terms were for one-year with a club option beyond that. After suffering with a number of persistent injuries, the deal was good one for Noonan and the forward paid the Revs back by playing in 27 regular season game, the most he had managed since 2004.
Seven goals and four assists was a solid stats line too for Noonan and the unquestionable benefit that Twellman derives from having his buddy in the lineup on a consistent basis was reflected in TT’s output of 16 goals. Now, however, there is the real chance that one of the best one-two punches in MLS history – the duo has combined for 128 goals all-time – will be broken up.
The Revs have taken a calculated risk by seeking to thrash out a new deal with Noonan, gambling on a number of things. First, the belief must be that his relatively unknown status overseas, punctuated by his history of injury issues, will make him a gamble not worth taking on. Furthermore, obtaining a work permit would be difficult given his infrequent appearances for the nation team in recent times.
Second, New England is banking on Noonan wanting to stay put. He has spent his entire professional here, playing in a system that suits his game with players he likes and under coaches he respects.
Third, when he was out of contract last year, no other team in the league did enough to steal Noonan away, a scenario which would almost certainly repeat itself, given the salary and length of contract he would crave were he to move.
Thus, barring anything unforeseen, the Revs’ brinkmanship with their leading marksmen is likely to work out in the franchise’s favor. However, fans will want more than this status quo and another strong showing at the draft. An established face or two is what, the consensus are saying, is needed to help this team.
The last time the Revolution made a trade to acquire a player from another MLS team was August 21, 2003. Any guesses as to who were those involved?*
Since then, the front office has made use of acquiring and trading draft picks and cash allocations, as well as filing the odd discovery claim here and there. A number of foreign players have been and gone, having left few fond memories, e.g. Steve Howey, Ricardo Phillips and Jose Manuel Abundis.
And so, as the clock ticks down to the start of the 2008 SuperDraft, Revolution fans will once again put their trust in a management team that, time and again, has assuaged their fears that the sky is falling. Names such as Noonan, Dempsey, Dorman, Parkhurst, Riley, Thompson and Cristman will be joined by new gems that everyone has missed.
Some of the unknowns that are presented with the New England uniform on Friday will, more than likely, become a key component in this season’s MLS Cup challenge, one that, finally the fans hope, will end in a trophy presentation.
* New England acquired Dario Fabbro and Chris Brown from the Kansas City Wizards in exchange for Wolde Harris, Jorge Vazquez and a conditional draft pick.
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