BALTIMORE, Md. – Thursday afternoon’s MLS SuperDraft offered the New England Revolution the chance to take a step towards strengthening their 2016 roster, which they feel they did by selecting versatile defender Jordan McCrary (10th overall) and dynamic winger Michael Gamble (30th overall).
There are, however, further steps to be made ahead of the March 6 season opener against the Houston Dynamo as the Revs continue their quest for top-end talent on the international market.
General Manager Michael Burns spoke on that topic at the Baltimore Convention Center on Thursday as the Revolution wrapped up the SuperDraft and turned their attention towards next Friday, when they’ll open preseason camp in Foxborough.
“The draft is obviously one mechanism (to acquire players) and you know these players are going to be here,” Burns said. “The trickier part is obviously the international player signings.
“While we’re trying to get a couple players, it might be a little bit unrealistic to say we’re going to have them in by January 22 (when camp opens). But certainly we’re working on some things to get some international guys in the primary window before the season starts.”
Burns declined to identify which specific positions the Revolution are targeting on the international market, but he has previously indicated that the club is in search of reinforcements along the backline, in central midfield and at forward.
As far as timing on any potential signings, Burns said it’s tough to make predictions.
“Sometimes you think you’re real close, and sometimes you think you’re far away and all of a sudden it takes a turn,” he said. “But let’s be honest, fans want to hear about the guys that you’ve signed, not about the possibilities and the maybes. We’re working on it and we’ll get there.”
