The New England Revolution returns 20 players from last year’s squad that finished third in the Eastern Conference, but that doesn’t mean that the front office isn’t looking to make additions.
“We are always trying to get better, so we have a list of players that we’re in conversations with,” head coach Jay Heaps lamented. “There's dialogue further along but at this point it's still dialogue. And until those things start to further matriculate, we don't want to talk about them too much.”
The Revs welcomed four trialists ahead of their trip to Bradenton, Florida. The most intriguing name on the trialist list is former Revolution midfielder Marko Perovic.
Perovic, 30, played for the Revs from 2010 to 2011 before exiting in an unceremonious fashion. The Serbian player collected 7 goals and 4 assists in 29 appearances for the Revs. Since his departure, Perovic has earned minutes with Red Star Belgarde, Persepolis and OFK Beograd. Most recently, he was trialing with FC Energie Cottbus of 2. Bundesliga.
“Marko is someone who I’ve had dialogue with over the last couple seasons since I took over,” Heaps commented. “[He’s] someone who always, I think, enjoyed his time here and someone that we have been working to get back in and at least look at. This is a really good opportunity for both of us to feel each other out a little bit and see where we can go.”
The Revs’ preseason roster also featured 20 year old striker Evan Melo. Melo most recently played for FC Sion, a team for which he debuted for at the age of 18. The right-footed player struggled to get consistent minutes which ultimately led to his release in 2013.
This is Melo’s second training stint with the Revs as he practiced with the team last summer.
“We had him in earlier in the summer and it was a time when we didn’t have much opportunity to sign him,” Heaps remarked. “We saw glimpses and this is another opportunity for him. He was in between clubs and Jose knows him well. We had him here obviously in the summer so we know him. We thought it would be a good fit to bring him in to try and earn a spot when we had roster spots to give.”
The final two unsigned preseason participants are Alec Sundly, a defensive midfielder from the University of California and Pierre Omanga, a forward from Southern New Hampshire University.
The Revs used the 31st overall SuperDraft pick to select Sundly, a player that didn’t appear in this year’s Combine due to health complications. The 21 year old Cal product amassed 13 goals and 2 assists in 73 collegiate matches. Sundly will likely be helped along by defender AJ Soares, a player that he spent one year playing alongside at Cal.
Omanga, 25, joins preseason after being chosen with the 50th overall pick. The French-born forward spent time at Montevallo University before transferring to SNHU for academic reasons. Omanga made 24 appearances during his senior year and helped the Penmen earn their second-ever national soccer championship.
The Revs will likely introduce more trialists when they arrive in Bradenton for the first stanza of preseason. Heaps alluded that the team is looking to add another two or three attacking players before the regular season begins.
(image courtesy of Kari Heistad)
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