:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/17412447/20130727_kkt_ss4_228.0.jpg)
Per a team press release, the New England Revolution announced today that they have re-signed midfielder/defender Chris Tierney. Tierney, a Massachusetts native, has served as the Revs' incumbent left-back for the past two seasons under Jay Heaps (when not injured) and has decided to extend his time with his hometown team, the only professional club he's played at since being drafted by New England in the 2008 Supplemental Draft. Now in his sixth MLS season, he is the team's second-longest tenured player. Per club policy, further terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Tierney, 27, ranks in the club's top 10 in several career categories: appearances (eighth, 120), starts (10th, 109) and minutes (10th, 9,559). He also ranks eighth in career assists (20), third in game-winning assists (9), fifth in assists per game (0.17), fifth in assists per 90 minutes (0.19) and fourth in corner kicks (193).
"Chris is a very versatile player and gives us a lot of options," Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said. "He is a great leader on and off the field, and has been one of our most consistent and productive players the last few seasons, so we're very pleased he's decided to sign a new contract to remain in New England."
This season, Tierney has recorded four assists in 18 appearances, while notching at least four assists in each of the last four seasons, including a career high five in 2012. One year ago, he played a career-high 28 games and made a career-high 26 starts while playing 2,379 minutes. He has five goals in his career. Through his six-season career, Tierney has played mostly left midfield and left back, but has also played right back, center back and central midfield, including both attacking and defensive midfield.
It's no secret that Tierney has improved in form under Jay Heaps, who made the decision to move the University of Virginia product from left midfield to left-back during the Revs' 2012 campaign. During that campaign, Tierney tied Kelyn Rowe for the most assists (5) and this year he has already tallied himself 4 on the season. Tierney's defensive qualities have improvement this season as well, where he has been an almost permanent fixture along the stingiest back-line in MLS.
With a new contract out of the way, Hopefully Tierney's leadership will help right the ship and propel the Revs to their first playoff berth since 2009.