FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution today claimed midfielder and club legend Shalrie Joseph in the Waiver Draft, and he has been added to the team’s roster. Per club policy, further contract details were not released.
Joseph, 35, re-joins his original MLS club after spending the last year and a half with Chivas USA and Seattle Sounders FC. Originally drafted by the Revolution in 2002 out of St. John’s, Joseph signed with the Revolution ahead of the 2003 season and played nine and a half seasons in Foxborough until he was traded to Chivas USA in August 2012.
After playing the remainder of the 2012 season with the Goats, Joseph was traded to Seattle in February 2013. Seattle waived him earlier this year after he made 10 regular-season and two postseason appearances last year.
Joseph has made 283 career appearances in MLS – including a Revolution-club record 261 appearances. He has scored 40 career goals and added 35 career assists in the regular season, including 37 goals (to rank fourth in the club’s records) and 34 assists (to rank third in the club’s records) in New England. Joseph was a finalist for the 2009 MLS Most Valuable Player award, and was a four-time MLS Best XI selection and an eight-time MLS All-Star selection.
2011: A 2011 MLS All-Star. Made 32 starts in the central midfield for the Revs. Scored a team-high eight goals, matching his previous career high from 2009, and recorded one assist. Four of his goals were from the penalty spot to tie for second in MLS in the category in 2011. Tied for eighth in MLS in fouls suffered with 54 in 32 games. Scored his first goal of the 2011 season in the third minute at LA (March 20), the second-earliest goal to start a season in team history. Converted a penalty-kick attempt against D.C. United (March 26) after assisting on Zack Schilawski’s earlier goal. Missed the Houston game (April 17) while serving a red-card suspension after he was ejected from the Real Salt Lake game (April 9). Knotted the score in the 72nd minute against Sporting Kansas City (April 23), flicking on Kenny Mansally’s service from a set piece. His 49th-minute penalty kick against Vancouver (May 14) proved to be the game-winner. With the successful PK, Joseph moved into sole possession of first place on the Revs’ career penalty kick chart, breaking his tie with former captain Steve Ralston. Played his 20,000th career minute with the club in the 54th minute against Real Salt Lake (July 4), becoming just the second Revolution player in club history to reach the 20,000-minute played mark with the club. Also scored his fifth goal of the year off Benny Feilhaber’s free kick at RSL (July 4). Started and played the full 90 minutes in the friendly against Manchester United (July 13). Missed the Philadelphia game (July 17) while serving a yellow-card accumulation suspension. Converted a 90th-minute penalty-kick attempt at Colorado (July 23) to tie the game at 2-2, his third penalty-kick goal of the year. Buried a 69th-minute penalty-kick attempt against Chivas USA (August 6). Matched his single-season high with his eighth goal of the year against Dallas (Sept. 10). Tied Jay Heaps’ club starts record with 238 starts on Oct. 15 against Columbus, and claimed the record outright with his 239th career starts in the next game at Toronto (Oct. 22). Also tied Heaps’ club appearances record (243) in the season finale at Toronto.
2010: A 2010 MLS All-Star. Made 22 starts, recording four goals and five assists. All four of his goals came in the last six matches of the season (Sept. 22-Oct. 16). Missed the first three games of the season with a right hip flexor strain before taking a leave of absence for personal reasons on April 24. Missed five league games while away from the team (April 24-May 20). Started the home opener against Toronto (April 10) and picked up an assist on Zack Schilawski’s third goal of the game. Returned to the starting lineup on May 22 at Toronto to play 90 minutes. Picked up two assists, including the game-winning assist on Zack Schilawski’s 80th-minute goal, against New York (May 29). Assisted Ilija Stolica’s goal against Philly (Aug. 28), and then assisted on Chris Tierney’s first-career goal on Sept. 4 against Seattle. Scored his first goal of the season – and 25th goal of his career – at Dallas (Sept. 22) from Tierney, snapping the team’s 238-minute road scoreless streak. Converted his penalty-kick attempt – the team’s first awarded PK of the season – on Sept. 25 against Columbus. Scored the go-ahead goal at Houston (Oct. 10) off Emmanuel Osei’s overhead pass off a free kick. Corralled Tierney’s pass out of the backfield and scored the game-winning goal in the first half against Kansas City (Oct. 16). Made four SuperLiga appearances at central midfield, all starts. Did not play against Monarcas Morelia (July 20) as a precaution as he was carrying a yellow card. Assisted on Kenny Mansally’s 56th-minute goal and converted the first penalty kick of the Revs’ shootout win in the semifinals against Puebla FC (Aug. 4).
2009: One of three finalists for MLS Most Valuable Player. Earned MLS Best XI honors for the fourth-straight season. Voted 2009 Revolution Team MVP. Earned MLS All-Star honors for the sixth time, but was unable to play in the match because of a bone bruise in his knee. Made 27 regular-season appearances – including 24 starts – playing as both a central midfielder and forward. His eight goals and eight assists were both career highs, and he tied Kheli Dube for the team’s goal-scoring lead, earning the team’s Golden Boot award. His eight assists tied him for fifth in the league. Wore the captain’s armband following the season-ending injury to Steve Ralston. Overall, appeared in 29 games, starting both MLS Cup Playoff matches, as well. Missed two games because of injury and one game because of suspension. Recorded either a goal or an assist in three straight games (assist at New York on March 28, assist against Dallas on April 4 and a goal at D.C. on April 17) early in the season. His goal against Chicago (May 9) snapped the Revs’ 269-minute scoreless streak. Added a pair of assists in the 4-0 win against New York (June 7), setting up Jay Heaps’ game-winning goal and Taylor Twellman’s 100th-career goal. The games at LA (July 4) and against Kansas City (July 11) capped a five-game spell he missed – including three SuperLiga group play matches (June 21, June 24 and June 28) – with a bone bruise in his right knee, the same injury that required him to withdraw from the MLS All-Star Game later in the summer. Returned to the lineup on July 19 against Chivas USA, assisting on Kheli Dube’s game-winning goal. Established a new career high with his sixth assist on Edgaras Jankauskas’ game-tying goal against Toronto (Aug. 1). Scored the game-winning goal at Seattle (Aug. 20), matching his previous career high with his sixth goal of the season. Was shown a straight red card against Kansas City (Sept. 5) and was suspended for the 2-0 loss to Chivas USA (Sept. 13). Set a new career high for goals in a season (8) and earned MLS player of the week honors for Week 28 when he scored both Revs goals in the 2-1 win over Seattle (Sept. 26), including a penalty kick in the 51st minute and the game-winning header in the 87th minute. Played every minute of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series against Chicago, serving primarily as a central midfielder but also seeing time at forward. Scored the game-winning goal in the 75th minute of the Game 1 victory, battling through a crowd of defenders and finishing from close range for his first career postseason goal.
2008: An MLS All-Star. Started 27 regular-season matches, playing primarily as a defensive midfielder but also seeing limited action as a withdrawn forward and attacking midfielder. Recorded one goal and one assist. Collected his only assist of the 2008 season on Kheli Dube's game-winning goal in the sixth minute against San Jose (May 17). Had his penalty-kick attempt at Columbus (May 24) saved by William Hesmer, but Dube scored on the rebound. Missed his first match of the season on June 12 at Houston while with the Grenada National Team. Returned unexpectedly from international duty to start in the Revolution's 1-1 draw with New York (June 18) before departing for Costa Rica to meet up with Grenada for the second leg of its World Cup Qualifying series. Also missed the match at Real Salt Lake (June 21) while representing Grenada. Was red-carded in the 74th minute of the Aug. 9 match against Chicago and served a mandatory one-game suspension at San Jose (Aug. 16). Served as the team's captain in Steve Ralston's absence on Aug. 30 against LA and scored his only goal of the season, tying the game in the 71st minute as the teams drew, 2-2. Started in the defensive midfield at Kansas City (Oct. 11), but was pushed into a more attacking role after Ralston left the game with an injury in the 17th minute. Started all five SuperLiga matches, scoring three goals to tie for first in the competition. All three of his goals were headers off set pieces served by Steve Ralston. Recorded the game-tying strike at Chivas USA (July 20), and scored the only goal in the semifinal win over Atlante (July 30). In the final against Houston (Aug. 5), scored the game-tying goal in the 102nd minute and notched the team's second PK in penalty kicks of the 6-5 shootout victory. Started and captained the team in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals at D.C. United (Aug. 12). Started both matches in the CONCACAF Champions League qualifying round against Joe Public FC, and in the away leg in Trinidad, drew a penalty kick which Mauricio Castro converted for the Revs' lone goal in the series. Started both matches against Chicago in the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series of the MLS Cup Playoffs. Captained the team for the final four games of the year after Steve Ralston suffered a broken leg at Kansas City (Oct. 11).
2007: An MLS Best XI selection at season's end. Was an MLS All-Star "First XI" honoree and started against Celtic FC at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in July. Started all 27 games in which he played during the regular season, missing two games with injuries and one with a red-card suspension. Scored four goals on the season: three penalty kicks (April 14 vs. TFC, May 26 vs. KC and July 22 vs. HOU) and the game-winner at Houston on May 19. Also added five assists, four of them game-winning assists. Recorded his first assist in more than a year on May 12 at Los Angeles - on Taylor Twellman's game-winning goal in the 85th minute. Was shown a red card at D.C. on May 3 and sat out the game against Chicago on May 6. Sent Khano Smith in down the left for the game-winning goal in the 1-0 victory against Colorado on Sept. 29. Played a one-two with Steve Ralston against Columbus (Oct. 13), setting up Ralston's then game-tying goal in the 83rd minute. Started and played all 90 minutes in all four of the Revs' postseason games. Recorded two assists in postseason action, setting up the play that led to Taylor Twellman's game- and series-winning goal in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series against New York, and then setting up Twellman's go-ahead goal in the first half of MLS Cup 2007.
2006: An MLS All-Star "First XI" selection, but was unable to play in the league's all-star match against EPL champion Chelsea FC because of the Revs' rescheduled game at Chivas USA. Voted Revolution Best Defender by the New England soccer media. Scored three goals and added one assist while controlling the Revs' midfield. Notched two goals on May 6 in the Revs' 4-0 victory over Los Angeles at Gillette Stadium. Missed the final five games of the regular season after undergoing surgery to repair torn ligaments and nerves in his right hand, but returned to start the three postseason games for which he was available. Played all 120 minutes of MLS Cup 2006, converting his shot in the game-deciding penalty kicks.
2005: Elected to the league Best XI and All-Star teams. Voted Revolution Most Valuable Player by the New England soccer media. Considered by most observers to have been the MLS Select team's best player in the Trofeo Santiago Bernabeau match at Real Madrid on August 23. Added six goals to his usual tough-tackling, accurate-passing brand of play. Recorded his first-career two-goal game against the MetroStars at Giants Stadium on Sept. 17, also adding an assist in that game.
2004: In his sophomore season in MLS, Joseph staked a claim to being the premier contention midfielder in the league. Started and played in 23 regular season matches and all three Revs playoffs games, registering three regular-season assists. Missed two games in June to play in World Cup qualifying with Grenada. Also missed action because of a broken nose (two games) and a hip flexor/quadriceps injury (three games). Accumulated just four regular season yellow cards despite playing an aggressive style, a testament to his good timing and tackling technique. Was a 2004 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star.
2003: Joseph became a force in central midfield during his rookie year with the Revolution, appearing in 28 games and finishing second on the club in minutes played with 2,466. Made his MLS debut on April 19 against Columbus at Gillette Stadium when he came on for Daniel Hernandez at halftime. One week later he made his first start in Dallas and was a fixture in Steve Nicol's starting lineup from that point on, missing just one game. Finished the season with two goals and two assists for six points and his strong partnership with José Cancela in central midfield helped spur the Revs to a 6-0-1 record during the final two months of the regular season. Played briefly in goal against Chicago on July 19. Recorded his first-career MLS point (an assist) on May 17 in a 3-0 victory over Chicago at home, then scored his first career MLS goal on Sept. 28 against Columbus in a 3-2, overtime victory at home.
BEFORE MLS: Joseph was originally drafted by the Revolution in the second round (14th overall) of the 2002 MLS SuperDraft. Pursued playing opportunities with teams in Italy and Germany before returning to the United States, where he played for the New York Freedoms of the D3 Pro-League during the 2002 season. Scored seven goals and added one assist with the Freedoms.
COLLEGE: Began college career at Bryant & Stratton College in Syracuse, N.Y., for two years before transferring to St. John's University in 2000 ... earned NSCAA All-America honors at St. John's as a senior in 2001 … led the Red Storm to the NCAA College Cup semifinals in 2001 where they lost to former Revs teammate Pat Noonan's Indiana squad … a two-time NSCAA all-region and two-time All-BIG EAST selection … played defense, midfield and forward during his time at St. John's … his two-year goal total of 21 goals ranked 10th all-time at St. John's … scored 14 goals and added two assists as a junior playing forward, but retreated to defense as a senior, still managing to post seven goals and four assists in his final season.
GRENADA NATIONAL TEAM: Has appeared more than 20 times for the Grenada National Team ... has scored one goal, in Grenada’s 2-1 friendly win over Jamaica on June 10, 2008 ... was the 2007 Caribbean Player of the Year and the 2008 Grenada Footballer of the Year … named to the country’s 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup squad, but had to withdraw because of a bone bruise in his right knee … most recently appeared for Grenada in a pair of World Cup Qualifiers against Costa Rica on June 14 and June 21, 2008, playing the full 90 minutes in both matches ... Grenada drew in the first leg, 2-2, but dropped the second leg, 3-0, and was eliminated from World Cup Qualifying as a result … played in the Copa Caribe, the pre-qualifying tournament for the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup, as well as World Cup Qualifiers ... played in CONCACAF region FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for Grenada in 2004 … named Grenada's Footballer of the Year in 2003.
PERSONAL: Graduated from St. John's (NY) with a degree in sports management ... nicknamed "Charlie" and "Chaz"... a citizen of Grenada, but his family moved to Crown Heights, Brooklyn when he was a teenager and Joseph considers himself a New Yorker, as well as a Grenadian ... favorite soccer team other than the Revs is Arsenal ... favorite soccer memory is going to the NCAA College Cup with St. John's ... listens to rap and reggae music ... favorite film is Scarface and favorite TV show is The Wire … began his own soccer academy – PROformance Soccer Academy (formerly called the Shalrie Joseph Academy) – where he focuses his attention in the offseason … one of his players from the Shalrie Joseph Academy, Zachery Herivaux, is now a member of the Revolution U16 squad … has a chocolate lab, Zola.
