For years, there was no player more synonymous with the New England Revolution than Shalrie Joseph, but it appears the Joseph era is ending for the Revs.
According to Joseph's agent, Ron Waxman, New England is trading Joseph to Chivas USA. Waxman revealed the trade on Twitter on early Wednesday morning. Neither team has announced the deal yet, but the reaction of Joseph's former New England teammates on Twitter suggest the trade has been completed. It remains unclear just what Chivas USA would be sending to the Revs in the deal.
(UPDATE- The teams have formally announced the trade and Chivas USA is sending midfielder Blair Gavin, a second round pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft and allocation money to the Revolution in exchange for Joseph.)
With Joseph headed west, the move signals the end of a ten-year run with the Revs that saw Joseph develop into one of the best midfielders in MLS history. A four-time MLS Best XI selection, the 34-year-old midfielder came into the 2012 season as a Designated Player, earning more than $500,000 this season. He has endured some minor injury issues this season, starting in 15 of the New England's 21 matches this season.
Chivas USA is in the thick of a playoff push, and currently stands seven points behind the LA Galaxy for the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs with three games in hand. Joseph joins fellow former Eastern Conference standouts Juan Agudelo and Dan Califf as high-profile additions by Chivas USA this season.
So why would New England unload the team's captain and most recognizable player? That is unclear at the moment, but with Benny Feilhaber and Clyde Simms as central midfield options alongside Kelyn Rowe and Stephen McCarthy, New England might have just seen an opportunity to deal a high-priced older player at a position of depth in order to bolster another position on the field.
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