Revolution “working very hard” on making more additions

New England Revolution head coach Brad Friedel is happy with the moves his club has made so far this off-season and there could be more to come.

On Friday, the Revs selected Tajon Buchanan and DeJuan Jones in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft. The two attackers are the club’s most recent additions, as the Revolution brought in left back Edgar Castillo and striker Juan Fernando Caicedo in December. Meanwhile, midfielder Nicolas Firmino became the club’s fifth-ever Homegrown signing in November.

These moves supplement a core group of 19 returning players. All and all, Friedel is pleased with what his club has done to prepare for the new season.

“I would say that I’m very happy adding Edgar Castillo and Juan Fernando Caicedo,” Friedel noted during a conference call on Friday. “I’m very happy with the draft picks. I’m very happy with the moves that we’ve made with players that have gone out and come in.”

Of course, there’s still work to be done. In December, club president Brian Bilello stated that the Revs would add 3-4 “above the max players.” Caicedo, who was signed soon after the tweet, was one of the players that Bilello was talking about. There’s also talk that Justin Rennicks will sign a Homegrown deal, with Ives Galarcep saying that the deal is already done.

Friedel confirmed on Friday that the Revs are actively recruiting ahead of the new season.

“We’re still working very hard to add to the squad,” Friedel noted.

One thing is certain, the team that will see the field in 2019 will be a reflection of what Friedel wants. This is exciting to the second-year coach, who expects the team to come together during preseason trips to Spain and Florida,

“We can all bond together as a group as we start to assimilate what I would consider my and my staff’s squad,” Friedel said. “This is far more our squad this year than it was last year. I think being abroad and being able to bond as a team is a very important aspect.”