The number of trialists in camp with the New England Revolution grew to eight on Wednesday as forward Yuzo Tashiro met up with the team in Casa Grande, AZ.
Tashiro was most recently with Vissel Kobe of the J-League but was released from his contract on Jan. 19 after only scoring one goal in 13 games. Tashiro had been with Vissel Kobe since 2012, amassing seven tallies in 53 appearances.
The right-footed striker has spent his entire career in Japan playing with Oita Trinita (2003), Sagan Tosu (2004), Kashima Antlers (2005-11) and Montedio Yamagata (a loan from 2010). Tashiro found a great deal of success while with Yamagata as he scored 10 goals in 29 games.
The Revolution are currently thin at striker with Charlie Davies and Sean Okoli as the only available pure forwards. More than an attacking option, Tashiro would bring experience to the young squad. If signed, the 32-year-old would be the third oldest player on the roster, behind Jermaine Jones (33) and Andy Dorman (32).
It should be noted that Tashiro does have a connection to Daigo Kobayashi as the two players faced off a few times in the J-League.
The full list of unsigned preseason participates include former Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Joe Nasco, former Chivas USA goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg, University of North Carolina – Wilmington defender Jacob VanCompernolle, former Arizona United defender London Woodberry, Georgetown midfielder Tyler Rudy, Cal Sate-Fullerton forward Marco Fenelus and George Mason forward Tim Mulgrew.
The Revolution’s first preseason scrimmage will be against Real Salt Lake at the Grande Sports Complex in Casa Grande, AZ on Saturday with a 9 am MT kickoff.