Revs Pick Five in Superdraft

By Sean Donahue

Steve Nicol and the New England Revolution were very active in Thursday's Superdraft, trading away veteran defender Chris Albright, while selecting five players in the draft.

The Revs were active before the draft even began, picking up second and third round picks from the New York Red Bulls in exchange for Albright, who struggled with a knee injury last season and only played one game.

Once the draft actually commenced, it became clear very early that the Revs were making their selections based on the team's needs. With the ninth overall pick (first round), the Revolution continued their recent trend of drafting players out of Wake Forest University by selecting forward Zack Schilawski.

With the veteran forward Edgaras Jankauskas out of contract and Taylor Twellman missing all but two games last season with a neck injury, it was clear the Revolution needed more depth up top. Schilawski, who had 14 goals and seven assists his senior year, brings another option to the Revs at forward. Schilawski earned All-American and All-ACC honors.

The Revs' selection of Seth Sinovic, a left back from Creighton University, with the 25th overall pick (second round), fulfilled another need following the retirement of veteran defender Jay Heaps. Sinovic will likely compete with Amaechi Igwe for the starting left back position in the Revs backline.

Six picks later (second round), the Revs selected Zak Boggs from University of South Florida. The forward can also play in the midfield and scored 18 goals over his collegiate career.

With the 48th overall pick (third round), the Revolution selected another versatile player in the University of Kentucky's Jason Griffiths. Griffiths, a native of Bracknell, England, can also play in the midfield or up top.

Finally the Revolution selected defender Adam Welch with the 57th overall pick (fourth round). Welch won Patriot League Defender of the Year for his 2009 season at Lehigh University. He also saw some time at forward throughout his college career.

While the Revs attempted to address several of the team's needs with the Superdraft, the team also may have been at work initiating a trade to address even more. Steve Goff of the Washington Post reported that the Revs were negotiating a trade with the Colorado Rapids for Cory Gibbs and Preston Burpo in exchange for Wells Thompson and the rights to out of contract Jeff Larentowicz.

Gibbs, a former U.S. International, could add needed experience to the young Revolution backline, while Burpo could fill in for Matt Reis as the Revs' number one keeper recovers from surgery to repair a left rotator cuff injury. The deal has still yet to be completed.

ADD TO YOUR SOCIAL BOOKMARKS: Blink Del.icio.us Digg
Furl Google Simpy Spurl Technorati Y! MyWeb