clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Jeb Brovsky Joins Revs Preseason Camp As a Trialist

The former Vancouver, Montreal and NYCFC player is the first MLS veteran to join the Revolution in Arizona, along with two other new trialists.

By Jake Catanese
Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Revolution kicked off the first phase of their preseason camp in Arizona earlier this week, and joining them is veteran defender/midfielder Jeb Brovsky. In addition to Brovsky, two other trialists in Southern New Hampshire defender Dominic Samuel and Fairfield keeper Matt Turner were announced on the Revs preseason roster.

The three trialists are separate from the previous six trialists we detailed last week, which consisted of the three Revs draft picks and former players from 2015.

There's a lot to like about this move in the short term, with the Revs in desperate need of another central holding midfielder until Jermaine Jones signs or the mystery Designated Player signs, assuming said mystery player is a central midfielder. Brovsky can play both holding mid and fullback, two positions the Revs had needs at coming into the season.

The Revs did shore up the fullback spot by drafting Jordan McCrary in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft, but it would be nice to have another veteran option on the backline. Brovsky could also provide cover at left back behind Chris Tierney, with utility defender Darrius Barnes and Donnie Smith also options at the position.

But until Jones or the mystery DP signings are completed, and that might not be until the summer, the Revolution are potentially looking at a Daigo Kobayashi and Jeb Brovsky platoon next to Scott Caldwell in Jay Heaps' 4-2-3-1. Personally, I don't think that's a bad thing, with Kobayashi likely getting starters minutes and Brovsky coming in off the bench to lock things down in the second half if the Revs are in front. Steve Neumann, Smith and homegrown Zachary Herivaux could also learn under Brovsky at their respective positions as well.

Perhaps the biggest bonus to signing Jeb Brovsky, which the Revs haven't done yet seeing as he's only on a trial, is the greatest player supporter's group in the world: The Jebi Knights.

I rest my case on the previous statement.

Overall, the addition of Brovsky would be a like replacement for veteran Andy Dorman; a defensive minded/box-to-box midfielder who happens to have additional upside at fullback. Brovsky would be a shrewd MLS signing that would definitely help out the Revs not only in the short term but possibly years to come, as a viable starting option and substitute at multiple positions.

More From The Bent Musket