FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Revolution captain Shalrie Joseph has re-signed with Major League Soccer to remain in New England. The seven-time MLS All-Star will occupy one of the team’s Designated Player roster spots. Per club policy, further terms of the contract will not be released.
Joseph, 33, will enter his 10th season with the Revolution after officially joining the club prior to the 2003 season. With nine years of service with the Revs, he is tied with current head coach Jay Heaps and goalkeeper Matt Reis for longest tenure as a Revolution player in club history.
SHALRIE JOSEPH GALLERY
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The Grenada native has made 243 regular-season appearances to share the club’s all-time lead in the category with Heaps, and his 239 starts is the Revs’ career record. Additionally, Joseph enters the 2012 season ranked fifth on the Revs’ career goal scored list (36), third on the club’s career assist list (31) and first on the club’s career penalty-kick list (12).
“Shalrie has spent his entire MLS career here in New England and we are thrilled he’s agreed to return as a Designated Player for us,” General Manager Michael Burns said. “Getting him re-signed was a top priority for us this off-season. We expect that Shalrie will continue to lead this team on the field, but also off the field and in the community, as well, as we move ahead into 2012.”
Joseph was one of three finalists for the 2009 MLS most valuable player award, and is a four-time Best XI performer.
“I’m very excited to stay in New England,” Joseph said. “I’ve made this my home and I can’t imagine playing for another team besides the Revolution. I’m looking forward to getting back out on the field next year and going after an MLS Cup championship for our fans and for this city.”
The Revolution originally drafted Joseph in the second round (14th overall) in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft. After pursuing playing opportunities in Europe, he returned to the U.S. where he played for the New York Freedoms of the former D3 Pro League before signing with the Revs on Dec. 3, 2002. Since coming to New England, Joseph has established himself as one of the league’s premier midfielders and most talismanic presences on the field.
Off the field, Joseph is involved with the Boston chapter of AmericaSCORES, and is active in the region’s youth soccer circle, both in development and coaching.
