The same week the New England Revolution made its first international signing of the off-season comes word that the Revs are on the hunt for candidates to fill their Designated Player slot.
New England announced the signing of Honduran midfielder Mauricio Castro on Monday, and will announce another signing later in the week, but the big news is that those acquisitions will not prevent the Revs from signing a designated player, a move that is now on the club’s agenda.
According to a source with knowledge of New England’s plans, the Revs are currently searching for a player to become the team’s first designated player. Even with the recent acquisitions of Chris Albright and Castro, as well as the impending signing of another player, the Revs have set aside the necessary salary cap space to include a designated player, which figures to be a forward to fit in alongside Taylor Twellman.
In Castro, the Revs have signed a midfielder they hope will either provide an upgrade on the left wing from incumbent starter Khano Smith, or will become the team’s new attacking midfielder. A central midfield role for Castro would allow veteran Steve Ralston to move back to right wing, which would push second-year winger Wells Thompson to the bench.
The Revs are set to announce another signing later in the week. Costa Rican defender Gabriel Badilla has been rumored but trialist Javier Delgado appears to be the better bet to be the signing.
So how will the Revs shape up in 2008? Here is one early look:
————-DP———Twellman———–
Castro———-Ralston———–Thompson
———-Joseph——Larentowicz——-
Delgado——-Parkhurst————-Albright
——————-Reis————————-
If Badilla signs, a 4-4-2 formation would look that much more likely (and even if he doesn’t, a 4-4-2 looks like a very real possibility in 2008):
—————–DP———Twellman———–
Castro————————————–Ralston
————–Joseph——Larentowicz————
Delgado—-Parkhurst—-Badilla———-Albright
———————–Reis—————————
So who starts up front if the Revs don’t land a designated player? Gambian forward Kenny Mansally is the front-runner for the job, having surpassed second-year forward Adam Cristman in the club’s pecking order.
What do you think about New England signing a designated player? Who would you like to see the Revs sign? Do you like the Castro signing? Share your thoughts on the Revs’ off-season activity below.