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The soccer world woke up to a monumental trade today in the MLS. Forward Teal Bunbury has been officially traded from the 2013 MLS Cup champions, Sporting Kansas City, to the New England Revolution for a first round draft pick and allocation money. This deal makes the Revolution an even more dangerous team when it comes to attacking an opponent’s goal.
By making this signing, the Revolution has made themselves one of the more dangerous attacking teams in the Eastern Conference; Bunbury joins an offense led by Jerry Bengtson, Charlie Davies, Dimitry Imbongo, Diego Fagundez and Patrick Mullins. Because New England plays a 4-3-3 formation, the new signing does have the potential to break into the starting lineup right away.
Entering into his fifth season in the MLS, Bunbury will be looking to revitalize his career and return back to his scoring ways. Since joining the league back in 2010, Bunbury has scored 19 goals and assisted on nine others. There really is only one concern for his ability as a forward — in 2013, Bunbury did not score one goal in his 12 appearances for SKC. Out of the 12 games, he only started one of them, but did not make much on an impact, playing 67 minutes in a 1-0 loss to the Chicago Fire on Aug. 23, 2013.
His experience last season in the MLS Cup playoffs was helpful in making sure he was still able to play with the big boys. However, it is truly difficult to determine which team won this trade. The Revolution got a young and talented forward who helps fill the gap at the attacking position, while SKC got a first round Super Draft pick in 2015 and allocation money.
Kansas City is starting to rebuild their teams and it appears that next season’s Super Draft will be the place for that. For New England, the organization is searching for someone to fill the void left by Juan Agudelo. Fagundez and Mullins will help will the initial gap, but adding a player who has experience in the league, but is still young enough to have five to seven seasons left in him, is a huge plus.
With this move happening just 18 days before opening, Bunbury will be able to join the team for their final preseason matches down in Tucson, AZ. New England fans will be keeping their figures crossed in hopes that this deal does not end up biting them in the butt as the season progresses.
I believe this deal was a terrific move by the front office of the Revolution.
Make sure to check back on Rant Soccer in the next few days to see how Bunbury’s signing will affect his fantasy value and where he will land in the team’s starting line for 2014.
Baxter Colburn is an MLS writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Baxstar20, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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