Joseph, Alston representing Revs in Houston
Written by Jeff Lemieux on July 26, 2010 – 12:28 pm -Two familiar faces will be missing when the Revs return to training on Tuesday morning here at Gillette Stadium, but for good reason. Yesterday, both Shalrie Joseph and Kevin Alston traveled south to Houston to take part in the festivities leading up to the 2010 AT&T MLS All-Star game which will take place on Wednesday night, July 28 at Reliant Stadium (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2 and Telefutura). Once again, the MLS All-Stars will be testing themselves against one of the world’s top clubs, with English Premier League powerhouse Manchester United providing the opposition this year.
While this is Joseph’s seventh consecutive all-star selection, it’s the first for Alston, so both approach the game with a different perspective. I spoke with both Joseph and Alston last week to get their thoughts about their all-star selections, and you can watch that video here.
Manchester United - featuring legends Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes - will be playing the fourth game of its North American tour, having already squared off against a pair of MLS clubs. After opening their tour with a 3-1 victory over Scottish giant Celtic FC, the Red Devils defeated the expansion Philadelphia Union (1-0) before falling to the Kansas City Wizards (2-1). Now, they’ll face perhaps their toughest task against a group of Major League Soccer’s best.
Under the direction of LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena, Joseph and Alston will train with the MLS All-Stars on Tuesday in preparation for Wednesday night’s match. They’ll then return to the Boston area on Thursday, in time to join their Revolution teammates for the trip to Philadelphia on Friday.
So how do we think Joseph and Alston will do against ManU, one of the top clubs in the world?
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July 26th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Hi Jeff,
Welcome back! Quick question: I’ve noticed a lot of clubs have moved to ban vuvuzelas in their grounds recently. Have the Revs had any discussions about this? Are we likely to ban them as well. (I hope so.)
Cheers
July 26th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Hi Cooper,
You’ll be happy to hear that after initially allowing vuvuzelas, the Revs have actually decided they will no longer be permitted in the stadium.
July 26th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
So the Revs released Videira today. This may mean they are clearing roster space for the signing that Robert Kraft suggested will happen in the Boston Globe article on 7/13, when he said “Our cap space is tight but I think you will see a signing here in the next week or two.”
Any speculation on who it’s going to be?
Looking forward to the Revs FO proving their skeptical fans wrong and signing a big name star in this summer’s transfer window.
July 26th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Revsfan - I would certainly think the Revs will soon be filling the two roster spots created by Steve Ralston retiring and Mike Videira being waived. I don’t get the feeling that creates enough budget space for a DP-level signing, but with a couple of roster spots open I’m expecting the Revs to fill those very soon. Remember, they have had a number of trialists in during recent weeks.
July 26th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Hey guys
First, I’d like to answer Jeff’s question about Shalrie Joseph’s and Kevin Alston’s performance at the All-Star Game. I’m quite sure they will give their best and I expect a good performance of Sharlie Joseph. He will be important for the All-Stars to keep the midfield in shape and not get lost in there. The midfield of Manchester United is one of the best in Europe, so Shalrie Joseph will be important. Kevin Alston could show a good performance, if he plays. There’s quite a big question mark behind this.
I hope the Revs will get two more players in those empty roaster spots. Last season showed how tremandously important a deep roaster is. I’d rather have waived the long-time injured Jankauskas, but if the Revs can fill the gap of Micheal Videira with a good new man in there, than it’s okay. But I hope that something will go on with Jankauskas, wether it is playing or something else.
Best wishes from a rainy Switzerland
July 26th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
First, in response to Jeff’s question, I’m sure Shalrie and Kevin will impress against Man U. I’m hoping Shalrie starts since Beckerman’s injury left a hole in the midfield, and I’m thinking Alston could teach Rafael a thing or two about defending (like not making stupid diving tackles that get you sent off in a Champions’ League quarter-final). I wish them both the best of luck (even though they don’t need it).
As for the hope of some new signings, I think we’re in for another underwhelming Rev’s transfer window. The trialists Jeff referred to are two players from Senegal (a striker and a defender)and one Columbian. Their names escape me at the moment and that’s probably because no one seems to know anything about any one of them. That doesn’t mean they aren’t talented or that they won’t be good signings for the squad, but getting any one of their signatures sure isn’t going to impress anybody. While NY gets Henry and the rest of the league is shopping around for players people have actually heard of and seen play, the Revs are reaching for players that seemingly come from nowhere. That strategy has given us some limited success so far (Osei springs to mind), but imagine just what the team could accomplish if the FO signed some established players every now and then. It doesn’t even have to be a DP, just someone who we KNOW can perform at this level. Maybe the fan base would even get excited about something like that. Just imagine…
July 27th, 2010 at 9:51 am
DaveW. - Just as an FYI, the Revs also had a trio of trialists in more recently. Emir Gokce (F, Turkey), Ilija Stolica (F, Serbia) and Roberto Linck (M, Brazil).
July 27th, 2010 at 10:23 am
I have no doubt that Shalrie and Kevin will do great at the all-star game, clearly both deserve it and hopefully it will get Kevin a little more recognition around the league.
But I also agree with DaveW in that the Revs need a little bit of a splash signing, since we have the Kraft thing going, why not the equivalent of the Pats signing Randy Moss.
And Cryill is right about Jankauskas I have no problem with him when he is healthy he has shown once he gets in a grove he can create problems for opposing teams, just need to get him out there or move on.
and lastly, it would be really cool to have a full roster without injuries, of course Twellman and Burpo being the exceptions.
July 27th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Jeff,
Thank you, I hadn’t heard that anywhere. That’s why it’s great to have you on the site because you actually tell us things. Out of those three, Emir Gokce looks the most promising right off the bat. He’s young but he was a Besiktas youngster and they’re a great Turkish side. Really, it should come down to who is going to help spark the attack. If we had one more regular contributor in either goals or assists the playoffs could actually become a reality.
July 28th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
what about fritzen from Haiti?
July 28th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Is Jankauskus still out injured? The Revs need to get rid of him, it was a mistake to resign him. Credit on the Perovic signing, we need more guys like that on the Revs.
After being a fan for 15 years with season tickets, if this apathy continues and nothing happens I think I’m done with this team. Good luck.
July 28th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
d3 - Haven’t heard anything about him since that friendly against Benfica more than two months ago. Have to assume the Revs weren’t interested based on what they saw.
Revsfan - FYI, you can always get the Revolution’s official injury report every Tuesday and Friday right here on revolutionsoccer.net - here’s yesterday’s …
http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=43606&pcid=115
July 29th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
I know, no intrest in Fritzen, i figured, if anyone remembers that game he didnt loose possesion the whole game, even with everyone putting him in tough positions. Jankoukus is so much better. I am so depressed, i am even starting to become a red bull fan, at least they know how to play soccer.
July 29th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Thanks for the link Jeff. Once again, GREAT job reporting this year, keep it coming! The Revs have really stepped up their web content.
Hey d3 - become a Seattle fan they just added their THIRD DP: http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2010/07/sounders-add-uruguayan-midfielder-fernandez.html
July 30th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
not interested in following DPs, just interested in good soccer!