FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – With the calendar flipped to 2011 and the annual MLS SuperDraft now just days away, the New England Revolution remains in the market for reinforcements at every outfield position.
The club’s goalkeeping situation, however, appears to be settled.
After recently agreeing to a new deal with veteran Matt Reis – a move which will presumably make the 35-year-old New England’s starting goalkeeper for an eighth straight season – the Revs solidified their goalkeeping future by elevating third-year shot-stopper Bobby Shuttleworth to the senior roster.
Shuttleworth, 23, originally signed with the Revs midway through the 2009 season and spent his first year-and-a-half as part of the club’s developmental roster. After serving as the third-string goalkeeper in his first year, Shuttleworth rose to a backup role in 2010 and acquitted himself well in six regular-season appearances. He earned his first career shutout in a 1-0 win over the Kansas City Wizards on Oct. 16 and closed the campaign with a record of 3-3-0 while maintaining a 1.62 goals against average.
Meanwhile, four young players who were part of the Revolution’s roster at the end of the 2010 season will attend the club’s upcoming preseason training camp aiming to earn roster spots for 2011.
Midfielders Zak Boggs, Jason Griffiths and Roberto Linck will join goalkeeper Tim Murray at the Revolution’s preseason camp in Foxborough without deals in place for the upcoming season. Boggs (second round, 31st overall) and Griffiths (third round, 48th overall) were both selected in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, while Linck and Murray were midseason additions.
Of the group, Griffiths saw the most action in 2010, making 10 regular-season appearances (four starts) as a central midfielder despite being limited by a series of hamstring injuries.
Boggs – who can play both wide midfield positions – made nine appearances (four starts) and burst onto the scene with a pair of goals in his first career start before a concussion derailed his season in late June.
Linck made two substitute appearances after signing in late July, while Murray did not appear with the first team.
All four players will have the chance to earn new contracts for 2011 while participating in preseason training with the Revs.
