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The signings just keep on coming for the Revs this week. Today the club announced via rpess release that they've signed midfielder Alec Sundly, whom the Revs drafted in the second round (31st overall) of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of California. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Sundly, 21, started 20 of Cal's 21 games in 2013 as a defensive midfielder, and finished the season ranked second on the Bears with 20 points (nine goals, two assists). In his career, the team captain appeared in 73 games (55 starts) while scoring 13 goals and adding three assists. He was a second-team all-conference performer as a senior this year.
He has played in all six of the Revs' preseason matches so far this season, totaling 283 minutes in the central midfield and along the backline.
"When we drafted Alec in the second round of the draft, we felt like we had a little bit of a steal there," Burns said. "He's been a nice addition to camp and will provide us with some depth and versatility in the midfield this season."
Adding Sundly makes a lot of sense, especially seeing just what he can bring to the table throughout preseason. In particular, last night's Desert Diamond Cup match against the Chicago Fire, where Sundly was deployed in his natural defensive-midfield position, felt like a true glimpse into the skillset that Sundly can bring to the Revs. And his strong first half outing last night seems now to have been the icing on the cake, earning the Cal product a contract with New England.
Many might point to Sundly has a likely candidate to play in Rochester this season, but I'd beg to differ there. I think that he offers the kind of bite and physical presence in the midfield that Jay Heaps and his coaching staff have been looking for this offseason. In my opinion, I think he stands as good of a chance at playing in the defensive midfield spot as Scott Caldwell or Andy Dorman this season, and those three might just find themselves in a regular rotation in 2014 based on their performances in training and game-by-game tactical planning.
With two roster spots still open and 2 international spots still available, signing Sundly should allow the Revolution front office flexibility to make additions in other areas of the pitch before March 8th, namely up top and on the wing.