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.

Keepers:

Who they have: Matt Reis, Preston Burpo, and Bobby Shuttleworth.

Notes: On paper right now this group is set but dig a little deeper and the club has to be concerned about injuries issues for at least the next couple months with Reis. That’s why they made the play for Burpo, a solid backup plan if you ask me. Once Reis is back to full health the Revs will continue to be find in this department.

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Defense:

Who they have: Kevin Alston, Darrius Barnes, Gabriel Badilla, Emmanuel Osei, Cory Gibbs, and Seth Sinovic.

Notes: On paper this seems a little light but the youth there is so solid. I can’t tell you how big of a fan of Barnes and Alston I am. I also like that they went out and got Gibbs this winter too in that trade with the Rapids. Gibbs wants to be in New England and word has it he is a happy camper right now which is good to see for Revs fans.

They may have given up a bunch in the back this winter with Jay Heaps retiring and the trade of Chris Albright to New York but as long as they add one or two more parts back here, which they will, I don’t see a big drop in this club’s defense.

Right now it seems like they could still use at least one more outside back and one more center back for depth reasons.

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Midfield:

Who they have: Shalrie Joseph, Chris Tierney, Sainey Nyassi, Mauricio Castro, Michael Videira, Nico Colaluca, and Pat Phelan.

Notes: They took a beating in this department this winter losing both Steve Ralston to AC St. Louis and trading away Jeff Larentowicz. Honestly the loss of Larentowicz is harder on them as he allowed Joseph to be himself more than anyone out there. However they do have a young guy in Phelan who will help ease the loss of Larentowicz more than some realize.

Unfortunately they have not addressed the loss of Ralston just yet. I know Nicol is looking but the clock is ticking away here and waiting around until the summer to bring someone in to help get the attack going may be too risky. They need an assist machine like Ralston was and right now other than Joseph possibly stepping into that role I don’t know who else will do it here. Maybe one of the rookies like Zac Boggs who will likely end up in the midfield rather than as a forward on the pro level (if they end up keeping him).

Adding a playmaker or some depth on the wings will go a long way here to help this bunch compete in the east.

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Forwards:

Who they have: Taylor Twellman, Kenny Mansally, Kheli Dube, Edgaras Jankauskas, Zack Schilawski, and Zac Boggs.

Notes: The Revs have to bank on a couple things here this season. The big one is getting and keeping Twellman healthy for the season. I think if he can play at least 20 games (or more) this year it will be a positive thing. After that they have to hope Schilawski produces goals or helps create them…not to mention remembering that it was the Revs that picked him, not the Crew.

I still think they need to go after another scorer here. They can’t rely solely on Joseph to do the work this year. Mansally, Dube and Jankauskas have to step up more for them to be successful in the east.

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Overall:

Like I mentioned above we have seen this club lose a lot of quality players over the year but I honestly don’t know how they bounce back from this winter. Don’t get me wrong their draft wasn’t bad but it wasn’t good enough to make people comfortable right away. Defensively I think the club is going to be alright but just like last year they will be in a lot of close games until a scorer steps up or until Twellman is back to his old self.

I’m one that usually drinks the Steve Nicol kool-aid but this winter has me thinking now that Paul Mariner is gone along with Ralston and Larentowicz and the injury issues to Reis and Twellman that this could be a very long year for Revs fans.

A couple more moves may change my mind but I get a sense that the Revs are going into this season just like they are now.

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

Offseason Player Movement:

Michael Videira (2008 draft pick, played in Scotland instead of MLS)
Kevin Alston (SuperDraft)
Zach Simmons (undrafted free agent)
Ryan Maxwell (SuperDraft)

Outgoing:
Jose Angulo (waived)
Adam Cristman (trade w/KC)
Khano Smith (Seattle Sounders FC – Expansion Draft)
Doug Warren (waived)
Michael Parkhurst (via free transfer to FC Nordsjaelland – Denmark)
Joe Germanese (contract not renewed)
Gary Flood (contract not renewed)
Brandon Manzonelli (contract not renewed)
Brandon Tyler (contract not renewed)
Sam Brill (waived)

Questions going into 2009:

1. With the loss of Michael Parkhurst, who will step up for this club?

That man has to be Gabriel Badilla. He was brought in for that very reason too a year ago. I wouldn’t be at all shocked to see more help come from Africia or South America once the season kicks off. You know that since Steve Nicol found guys like Kheli Dube and the two young Gambians last year that he will go the extra mile to improve his defense with the loss of Parkhurst this year.

2. Can Steve Ralston and Taylor Twellman remain healthy long enough to push this club back into the MLS Cup picture?

If the defense wasn’t a big enough question surrounding this club than this is right up there with it. If the Revs even want to dream of post season glory they need these two at their best for the majority of the year. When things were really good last year it was due to Ralston making things happen in the midfield and Twellman putting things home in the attack. When both when out with various injuries a year ago the club never looked the same offensively.

3. Player to watch out for this season.

I think the key for New England does rest in Kheli Dube this year. I really felt Dube should have been the rookie of the year a season ago but injuries late in the year hampered his chances at that award. When Dube was paired with Twellman in a couple games you could see some magic on the field. I think a full season with them both healthy will go a long way in getting the Revs back into the MLS Cup contention.

Look at the 2009 Schedule:

The Revs once again have to deal with some SuperLiga action late in the summer. Thankfully for them their schedule isn’t nearly as heavy as it was a year ago. Early on in the year they spend a good part of their time on the road. Six of their first nine games are on the road with a couple games being back-to-back.

Once summner hits the club should be enjoying more time at home. I think June and July will be a time for them to really pick up some points if the injury bug hasn’t hit this club already by then.

Late in the year will be rough if the club is struggling to reach the playoffs. They end the year with Columbus twice and Chicago once.

2009 Season Outlook:

Obviously the club wants to look past what happened in the fall of 2008 and move on to 2009. They’ve seemed to have reloaded based on their draft and getting 2008 pick Michael Videira back on their roster. This group still remains mostly the same as the last few years with additions here and there to counter the exports out.

Overall I still have to consider New England one of the top dogs in the east. The younger players on this roster will really determine where this club goes this season. Still I fully expect more players to be brought in before the summer months. Playoffs shouldn’t be an issue again btu getting back to MLS Cup rests on the shoulders of Ralston, Twellman and Badilla.

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.

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.