FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – It’s been almost 15 years since the New England Revolution entered a SuperDraft without a first-round pick. It’s been seven years since they didn’t have at least one selection in the top 10. The SuperDraft has always been a big part of how the Revs have built their squad.
But the MLS landscape is changing, and this year may be different for the Revolution.
Just two days out from the first and second rounds of the SuperDraft – set for Thursday afternoon at the Pennsylvania Convention Center – the Revs hold a solitary second-round pick (33rd overall). The only other selection they currently hold is a third-round pick (47th overall); both the third and fourth rounds will be conducted via conference call next Tuesday.
Of course the situation could change between now and 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday – General Manager Michael Burns said it’s inevitable for clubs to talk trades when technical staffs come together for events like the MLS Combine and SuperDraft – and the Revs aren’t eliminating any options ahead of the draft.
“It is a little bit different,” Burns said of approaching Thursday without a high pick. “Right now we have a second- and a third-round pick and we’re preparing for that, but you never know.
“Every year you head into the combine and the draft and you have lots of discussions with other teams, so you never know if there’s an opportunity to possibly reacquire a first-round pick or move up in the draft. You’ve got to be prepared for everything.”
New England’s natural first-round pick – 20th overall out of 21 thanks to the club’s runner-up finish in MLS Cup – was traded to Sporting Kansas City last February as part of the deal that brought Teal Bunbury to the Revolution. Bunbury made 36 appearances (33 starts) for the Revs last season and registered six goals and eight assists, including two goals and two assists in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Bunbury is currently out of contract, but the Revs are optimistic that a deal will be reached to bring him back to New England for the 2015 campaign.
“Looking back at it, to give up a first-round pick for Teal, he was obviously a big contributor for us this year,” said Burns. “There are certainly no regrets in the move that we did.
“But it impacts your draft, for sure, and we knew that when we made the trade. So we’re preparing right now to pick in the second and third round.”
