The New England Revolution announced today the re-signing of Welsh midfielder Andy Dorman on a free transfer from English side Crystal Palace. Dorman, who played for the Revs from 2004-2007, will be added to the Revs' 2013 roster once his International Transfer Certificate is received and will be joining the team in January for pre-season training.
"We're very pleased Andy is rejoining us," Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said. "Andy was a tremendous player and a consummate professional when he was first beginning his career. Now with his experience at a very high level in Britain, we're looking to him to provide not only an added attacking presence, but also veteran leadership on and off the field."
In his first tenure in New England, Dorman made 112 regular-season appearances, while scoring 17 goals and adding 18 assists. In 2006, his 10 assists were the third-highest total in MLS and led the team. In the three-year span from 2005 to 2007, Dorman's combined 15 goals and 17 assists ranked third on those Revolution squads in total attacking production, behind Taylor Twellman (44 goals, 15 assists) and Steve Ralston (11 goals, 25 assists).
"I spoke to Jay quite a lot over the past couple of months and he was a big reason I decided to come back," said Dorman. "I was really impressed with everything he said about the team and his plans going forward. I was really impressed with everything he said about the team and his plans going forward. And from everything I saw last year the team isn't far away. A lot of the games last year were tight and hopefully next year we can come out on the right side of those games."
For the Revs, this certainly feels like a solid signing. Dorman is 30 years old, has both MLS experience as well as experience from his time in the UK, and, perhaps most importantly, brings a veteran presence to a young team that could certainly use it.
It does, however, shine an even brighter spotlight on the Benny Feilhaber situation, if you ask me. As suggested by Revolution beat-writer Kyle McCarthy via twitter, it's hard to imagine a 2013 squad with the likes of Feilhaber, Dorman, and Juan Toja. If Feilhaber is indeed on his way out, though, could a midfield four of Toja, Dorman, Clyde Simms, and Lee Nguyen be the recipe for success that Jay Heaps is looking for? Or would Dorman be used in more of a super-sub type of role?
Looking even deeper into the midfield status, the Revolution also boast the likes of Ryan Guy, Kelyn Rowe, Blair Gavin, Fernando Cardenas, and potentially Scott Caldwell, making the situation even more crowded than before. Of course, it could be someone other than Feilhaber who will not be returning to Foxboro next season, but all signs thus far seem to point to him.
Regardless, Andy Dorman is an addition that will surely be met with excitement and praise from the Revolution community, something that should go a long way this off-season after another disappointing year. Jay Heaps' plan may yet have a second stage to it, and perhaps we are in store for even more tweaks in the coming months.
What are your thoughts on the signing? Love it? Hate it? Indifferent? Let us know how you feel in the comments section below!