FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution announced today that MLS record holder and former club captain Steve Ralston has re-signed with Major League Soccer to play for the Revs. Per MLS and club policy, terms of the deal were not released. Ralston will officially join the squad at the team’s training session at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, June 9.
Ralston, 35, spent eight seasons with the Revolution (2002-09) before signing as a player/assistant coach with his hometown AC St. Louis of the second-division in January. The midfielder holds the all-time MLS records for assists (135), appearances (378), starts (372) and minutes (33,143). In eight seasons in New England, Ralston made 201 appearances and 196 starts. He is the club’s all-time leader in assists (73) and second in goals scored (42).
“We’re very pleased that Steve has decided to return to MLS and to New England,” Revolution Vice President of Player Personnel Michael Burns said. “Steve has always been a consummate professional and we expect his leadership will benefit us both on and off the field. The bottom line is that we believe that Steve Ralston makes the Revolution a better club and we’re looking forward to his return.”
Earlier this season, Ralston made two appearances with AC St. Louis, making his season debut on May 22 against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, then starting the team’s next match on May 29 against the NSC Minnesota Stars.
Ralston’s appearance on May 22 came after off-season rehabilitation from surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that he suffered on Sept. 26, 2009, in the Revolution’s match against Seattle Sounders FC at Gillette Stadium.
The Revolution (3-7-2, 11 pts.) and the rest of Major League Soccer are in the midst of a two-week break from league competition during the group-play stage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The team will play an international friendly against Brazilian power Cruzeiro on Sunday, June 13, at Gillette Stadium, before returning to the MLS schedule on Sunday, June 27, when the team hosts its arch rival, the Chicago Fire, at 7 p.m.
TRANSACTION: New England Revolution (MLS) – Re-signed M Steve Ralston.
STEVE RALSTON
Jersey Number: 14
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-9
Weight: 160 lbs.
D.O.B.: June 14, 1974 (St. Louis, Mo.)
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.
College: Florida International
Last Team: St. Louis (USSF D2)
Status: Senior roster
