FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Three members of the 2011 New England Revolution squad are eligible to enter the MLS Re-Entry Process, which begins Monday.
The Revolution declined the 2012 contract options on veterans Ryan Cochrane, Kheli Dube and Pat Phelan, and because of their league tenure and ages, the three players are now eligible to enter the Re-Entry Process, which will begin on Monday.
Eligible players may either choose to participate in the Re-Entry Process or opt out and sign with their current clubs. A full explanation of the Re-Entry Draft rules are available here.
Stage 1 of the Re-Entry Process will take place via teleconference on Monday, Dec. 5, with all 19 teams participating. Stage 2 will take place via conference call on Monday, Dec. 12. The Revolution will have the second selection in each stage of the Re-Entry Process behind Vancouver, which has the first selection.
“The Re-Entry Process is not easy, and clubs are still getting used to it,” Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said. “The process forces clubs to make difficult personnel decisions and part with players who have done a lot for them.”
Cochrane, 28, came to the Revolution via Houston in Stage 2 of the inaugural 2010 Re-Entry Process, and made 22 appearances at center back last season. In 19 starts, he scored one goal and added one assist. Cochrane made previous stops in San Jose and Houston in his eight-year MLS career.
Dube, 28, made five appearances in 2011, all as a substitute as a whiplash injury suffered in May limited his time. In his career, Dube made 72 appearances (45 starts), scoring 14 goals and adding nine assists. He was originally drafted by the Revolution in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2008 Supplemental Draft out of Coastal Carolina.
Phelan, 26, made 20 appearances in 2011, including 15 starts in the central midfield. Originally drafted 10th overall in the 2008 SuperDraft by Toronto, Phelan came to New England through a trade in June 2008. In four seasons, he made 80 appearances, including 58 starts, while scoring two goals and adding four assists.
