by Jeff Dieffenbach
Despite New England’s impressive run to the 2002 MLS Cup,
they remain a team with only one great half season in seven
full campaigns. The silver lining? Surely this poor
performance earned the Revolution a stable of high picks and a
foundation for success in 2003 and beyond.
Actually, no. Trades, rules quirks, and just plain bad luck
contribute to an astonishingly poor draft history.
As a rule, New England’s picks fall into one of four
categories:
- "solid" (e.g., Rusty Pierce in 2000)
- "frittered away" (Zak Ibsen in 1996)
- "who?" (Jesse Van Saun in 1998)
- "how could that guy miss?” (Alex Pineda Chacon in
2002).
What’s missing? How about: (5) “franchise player?”
Certainly, the 2002 picks of phenom Taylor Twellman and the
consistently strong Steve Ralston made their runner-up run
possible. Beyond Twellman and Ralston, however, 45 picks over
seven years have amounted to a mere two additional starters:
Pierce and the now-retired Imad Baba.
1996-2001
From 1996 through 2001, the Revolution made the fewest top
3 draft picks in the SuperDrafts and various other college,
supplemental, allocation, and dispersal drafts (one such pick;
Chicago, with two fewer seasons, also had one). From 1996
through 2001, only the much more successful DC and Chicago
owned fewer picks in the first three rounds of the collective
drafts. From 1996 through 2001, only Chicago and Columbus
occupied worse positions within these rounds.
During this span of six years, an appalling two-thirds of
their picks fell into the “who?” category: J.T. Roberts, Kevin
Coye, Chris Fox, Tom Hardy … and on and on. Coupled with
several “frittered aways” and “busts,” New England is best
advised to bury this performance deep in the rubble of Foxboro
Stadium.
2002
What about 2002? Did their fortunes change with the arrival
of Gillette Stadium? Certainly, their draft chances improved.
In 2002, the Revolution made the most top 3 picks (three
combined in the allocation draft, dispersal draft, and
SuperDraft). In 2002, the Revolution owned the most picks in
the first three rounds (nine). In 2002, the Revolution held
the best position within these rounds.
Gold mine, right? Wrong.
On paper, the Revolution came away with a bevy of big
names. In addition to Ralston (2000 best 11), they also added
the proven Mamadou Diallo (2000 scoring leader and best 11),
Alex Pineda Chacon (2001 scoring leader, best 11, and MVP),
Carlos Llamosa (US Men’s National Team player and 2001 best
11), and Jim Rooney (2001 All Star).
Where are they now? As part of a six-player deal with the
MetroStars last year, Diallo was in effect traded for Diego
Serna. Injury cut Serna’s 2002 season short and his status for
the coming year remains unknown. Chacon was released after
minimal playing time and will suit up for the Galaxy in 2003.
Llamosa struggled with injuries in 2002 before leaving the
team recently to play in the Colombian league, having failed
to agree with MLS on compensation (although talks may now be
back on). Rooney languished on the bench after Steve Nicol
took over the coaching duties from Fernando Clavijo.
2003
None of the above bodes well for 2003 draftees and future
“who?” candidates Pat Noonan, Dimelon Westfield, and Kyle
Singer. With Twellman, Joe-Max Moore, Wolde Harris, and
perhaps Serna, the Revolution are well stocked at forward, the
listed positions for both Noonan and Westfield. Singer,
meanwhile, finds himself third on the depth chart in goal
behind rising star and US MNT candidate Adin Brown and the
solid Matt Reis.
Good luck, lads, you’re going to need it. But don’t say you
didn’t see the writing on the wall.
HAVE YOUR
SAY...
Have the selections by the Revolution
been that far off? Or have poor performances been due to
coaching? Send Soccer365 your emails at opinions@soccer365.com
