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I have no idea why my brain got so inspired by a footnote or after thought like this, but here we are.
Earlier today DC United signed former Maryland Univ standout Gordon Wild, a former Atlanta United draft pick and Hermann Trophy finalist. Not exactly something I should care about until it gets mentioned that Akeem Ward was waived as a corresponding move.
Ward is a fullback out of Creighton and was a popular mock draft pick for the New England Revolution going into the 2019 SuperDraft, with Matt Doyle of MLS Soccer picking Ward 9th to the Revs and TopDrawerSoccer selecting him with the 11th pick to New England. When we were doing our SB Nation mock draft, Ward was definitely someone I was targeting due to the Revs lack of fullback depth which is why I was familiar with the name but he ended up going very high in our mock and eventually 14th overall to DCU in the actual draft. Also of note, current Revolution assistant Richie Williams was Ward’s USL head coach at Loudoun United in the USL where Ward has featured most of the year.
Was playing for Loudoun when Richie Williams was there.
— DITF (@DeepInTheFort) July 24, 2019
Akeem Ward was the 14th pick in the SuperDraft this year, three picks after DeJuan Jones.
— Revolution Recap (@RevolutionRecap) July 24, 2019
Ward played under current #NERevs assistant coach Richie Williams at Loudoun United, DC’s USL affiliate, earlier this year. https://t.co/AbZqzFdya9
Which brings me to the following conclusion based solely on my gut and nothing else - but if I were the Revs I’d put in a waiver claim for Ward. The Revs have two open senior roster spots, the Revs don’t have a backup right back with Andrew Farrell playing centerback for the near future, and the Revs are likely done with major DP/TAM moves for the rest of the year. Waivers work by reverse order of Supporter’s Shield standings, with the Revs in 15th place, the nine teams below them would have priority in claiming Ward.
Possible #NERevs Defensive Depth Chart: LB: Castillo, Jones; CB; Delamea, Farrell, Anibaba, Mancienne* (injury); RB: Bye, Ward
— Jake Catanese (@JCatanese43) July 24, 2019
Considering the depth issues going into this year (3 CB's before moving Farrell)...I think I'm okay with this for the rest of 2019.
That means going back to what the Revs tend to do best - fleecing the rest of the league in trades. I mean seriously, look at all these extra draft picks the Revs have for 2020...
So we open it up to you in the comments below: What would be reasonable (i.e. - not DP’s but more part time starter/utility type players) trade or acquisition target that you would like to see on the New England Revolution for the rest of 2019 or even beyond? Maybe it’s a rental for a veteran defender or more long term for a younger player that might grow into a depth position that can get minutes in Hartford or Birmingham. Propose your best MLS Trade surely to be shot down by Mike Francesa below.