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The New England Revolutions was a lot of expert’s darling pick to win MLS Cup last season. This season they are currently on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. It’s been an extremely tough season for Jay Heaps’ side, which will likely cause them to rebuild in the offseason.
For the 7th place team in the East, they are still rather loaded with talent on their roster. Here’s who we see them protecting in the upcoming Expansion Draft:
Projected Protected List
- Juan Agudelo
- Diego Fagundez
- Andrew Farrell
- Kei Kamara
- Gershon Koffie
- Xavier Kouassi
- Lee Nguyen
- Kelyn Rowe
- Chris Tierney
- Je-Vaughn Watson
- London Woodberry
Exempt List
- Scott Caldwell
- Zachary Herivaux
Available Players
- Darrius Barnes
- Teal Bunbury
- Cody Cropper
- Jose Goncalves
- Femi Hollinger-Janzen
- Brad Knighton
- Daigo Kobayashi
- Jordan McCrary
- Steve Neumann
- Bobby Shuttleworth
- Donnie Smith
- Matt Turner
Potential Targets for Atlanta United: Teal Bunbury and Cody Cropper
Jason: Teal Bunbury is the best choice out of a few options that might be left unprotected by the New England Revolution. I don’t envy the Revs front office in making the decisions that await them after MLS Cup. Bunbury has been the odd man out in New England, especially since the arrival of Kei Kamara. As a wide player in Tata Martino’s 4-3-3 shape, he could thrive in Atlanta.
Cody Cropper is a goalkeeper that some were hoping to see sign in Atlanta as a free agent earlier this year. He went to New England instead and could end up unprotected due to the numbers game the Revolution will face with their roster decisions at the end of this season. He a young goalkeeper with pretty extensive experience in the U.S. youth national team system and worth consideration. I’m not sure if he’s ready to step in and be your starter from Day 1 though, and that’s likely what you would be looking for out of a goalkeeper selection in the Expansion Draft.
Two other players I like from the Revolution are Steve Neumann, a creative central midfieler who hasn’t had much playing time with New England, and Jordan McCrary, an outside back with local ties. I think a better player will likely be available from the Revolution in the Draft that would make more sense.
Rob: I’m not sure why New England would protect Juan Agudelo. He’s not even a good player and they should totally leave him unprotected. *slumps in the corner, cries heavily*
In all seriousness, the Revs have a logjam at the forward position. Teal Bunbury seems like the obvious odd-man out. He could use a change of scenery, however, having grown up in Minnesota, he could make more sense for the other expansion team. But, our job is to look at fits for Atlanta.
He’d fit well in a possible 4-3-3 as either a winger or a out-and-out striker. His work rate is top notch and probably his best attribute, while his technical ability is probably his biggest weakness. He’s proven in the past that the talent is there, he just needs the right situation to possibly reach that potential once again.
This is where I’m supposed to say nice things about Cody Cropper. He’s from Georgia. That’s about all I have. I’ve never been a fan of his, having watched him many times with the U.S. U-20 team. He’s very mistake-prone and isn’t ready to be a starting goalkeeper in MLS.
Daigo Kobayashi and Steve Neumann are two other players who might could help another MLS team, but neither are Top 10 available players worthy for this draft.