Shalrie Joseph will be called to lead in 2010. (Getty Images)

The winter months can either be good or bad on a Major League Soccer club. Its all really on who leaves the club and who comes in to help out. Take the New England Revolution for instance, each year its seems they lose one big name after another either in a trade, a transfer or just someone not wanting to re-sign with them.

Yet somehow the Revs always seem to bounce back in some form the following year thanks to manager Steve Nicol. But looking at this winter one has to wonder did they lose and give up too much?

Its time to find out as we take another preseason look-in to see how the club is doing and what they need to add before the season begins.

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ast year the New England Revolution were the hot club from May to August. Shortly after winning their first SuperLiga title many thought the Revs were going to be unstoppable and win the MLS Cup. Things didn’t turn out that way as the Revs collapsed in the final months of the season and barely looked like the club that dominated the summer months. After a long and rough winter it is time to see if Steve Nicol got his troops regrouped enough to return to their normal glory and domination of the eastern conference.

2008 record and finish: 12-11-7, 43 pts., third in east, lost in first round of playoffs. Continue Reading…

Just got word that a deal we’ve been waiting on for a little while now is finally complete. New England has officially added Costa Rican defender Gabriel Badilla to their roster. He will occupy one of the team’s seven available international roster spots. Per MLS and club policies, terms of the deal were not released.

The 24-year old Badilla brings World Cup experience to the Revs’ backline. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him instantly contend for a starting position once he gets his Visa approval.

This deal comes at a good time for New England too. They’ve struggled in the last couple weeks, giving up six goals in two games. Throw Badilla in with the return of Michael Parkhurst and this could very well be one of the best defenses in the league.

Just a couple days removed from one of their first losses in a matter of a couple months, the New England Revolution look to add to their defense this week by finally signing Costa Rican defender Gabriel Badilla. Some may recall back in the winter, Badilla was on the Rev’s radar for quite a while. Talks stalled out in the winter and New England put Badilla on their back burner for now.

Today we are getting word from several papers that the two sides are finally close to coming to terms and finalizing deal (note both reports above are in Spanish).

The 23-year old defender is set to sign a two year deal with the Revs. Its a move that should add some serious depth to their defense. I love this kind of move going into the playoff push here. Its not that the Rev’s defense has been terrible but anytime you can add some depth to the backline like this it’s a good thing. Plus, if finalized soon he could get some playing time while Michael Parkhurst is away with the Olympic team.

What do you all make of this move? Adding a former World Cup player certainly doesn’t hurt a thing, especially one that is still very young.