10 Revolution Players Who Never Caught on in MLS

In the latter stages of the Steve Nicol era—and the early stages of the Jay Heaps era—players moved in and out of New England like top Red Sox prospects move in and out of the minor leagues. Some players, like Geoffrey Castillion (2014), barely made a mark on the club. Others, like Zack Schilawski (2010-2011), sporadically found their way into the Starting XI.

Fresh off the Revs' final bye weekend of 2015, we went into the vault and caught up with 10 "icons" from the Revs' rebuilding years. Just one trait unifies our list: players who made a pit stop in New England, but never laid down roots in MLS.

Here's our list of 10 worth remembering (or in some cases, not remembering):

1. Zack Schilawski, 2010-2011

Revolution Stat Line: 50 appearances (18 starts), 6 goals, 1 assist

After graduating from Wake Forest in 2009, Schilawski entered the league as the Revs' first-round pick (ninth overall) in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. During his rookie campaign, he proved to be an above-average 1v1 attacker with great pace and an outstanding work rate. His five tallies landed him second on the club behind Marko Perovic. But in 2011, Schilawski struggled to string together another strong season, losing playing time to forwards Rajko Lekic, Milton Caraglio and Monsef Zerka as the season carried on.

In March 2012, the Revolution waived Schilawski. One month later, he signed with the Carolina RailHawks, where he spent three seasons (2012-2015), scoring 15 goals in 53 appearances. He currently serves as the manager of the RailHawks U-23 youth program.

2. Zak Boggs, 2010-2012

Revolution Stat Line: 29 appearances (20 starts), 3 goals, 1 assist

Boggs, the 31st overall pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, turned in a relatively quiet rookie campaign (9 appearances, 2 goals) for the Revolution. By early 2011, however, Boggs had moved his way up the pecking order and into Nicol's gameday plans, appearing in 20 matches. Unfortunately, during the 2011 offseason, Boggs suffered a severe ankle injury. Heaps never called his name in 2012.

Six months into the 2012 season, the hard-working forward decided to hang up his cleats, accepting a Fulbright Scholarship for medical sciences at Leicester University in England. In 2013, Boggs returned to the beautiful game, joining PDL side IMG Academy Bradenton. He moved on to the Charlotte Eagles (USL Premier) last season, where he scored three goals, before joining the Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) for the 2015 season.

3. Milton Caraglio, 2011

Revolution Stat Line: 12 appearances (12 starts), 3 goals, 2 assists

In 2007, Caraglio debuted with Argentinian side Rosario Central, where he scored 11 goals in 49 appearances. Four years later, Rosario loaned Caraglio to the Revolution, where he became the club's first-ever designated player. The center forward looked sharp in 12 starts, scoring three goals while collecting a pair of assists. Even amidst a lost season (the Revolution finished 5-13-16 with a -20 goal differential), Caraglio brought life to Steve Nicol's attack, regularly taking a strong first touch as he made his way into space.

In December 2011, Caraglio left Foxboro to join Chilean Primera Division side Rangers. Since that time, he has made 102 appearances for four different clubs in Chile, Argentina and Italy, scoring a combined 29 goals. For the past two seasons, Caraglio has played with Club Atletico Velez Sarsfield in Argentina.

4. Monsef Zerka, 2011

Revolution Stat Line: 7 appearances (7 starts), 2 goals, 1 assist

Born in Orleans, France but a member of the Moroccan National Team, Zerka spent his first eight seasons with AS Nancy, a second-tier French club. He later joined FC Nantes (France) and Iraklis (Greece) before signing with the Revolution in August 2011.

Zerka's versatility served Nicol well, as he looked equally sharp as a wide midfielder and as a forward. Though he only started seven matches for the Revolution, he turned in a somewhat-efficient campaign, scoring twice while adding an assist. But following the 2011 season, Zerka signed with Romanian side FC Petrolul Ploiesti; he later spent two years with Tanjong Pagar United in Singapore. He reportedly last appeared for the Singaporean club in 2014 and, now in his mid-30s, has fizzed out of professional soccer.

5. Ryan Guy, 2011-2013

Revolution Stat Line: 55 appearances (34 starts), 4 goals, 2 assists

Originally drafted 22nd overall in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, Guy turned down a developmental contract with FC Dallas to pursue a career with St. Patrick's Athletic of the Irish Premier Division. In 2011, he returned to the United States, ultimately signing with the Revolution in June. In his first full season with the club (2012), Guy started 20 matches, scoring one goal and contributing two assists. With versatility to play virtually every position on the field, Guy struggled to find a niche in Jay Heaps' system, serving as nothing more than a depth option off the bench.

Shortly after the conclusion of the 2013 season, the Revs declined Guy's option. He promptly signed with San Diego Flash of the NPSL, returning to his hometown in Southern California. Ahead of the 2015 season, Guy joined Tuen Mun SA of the Hong Kong First Division.

Guy, perhaps the most versatile player to ever don a Revolution kit, now plays in the Hong Kong first division (Photo Credit: Abelimages/Getty Images)

6. Fernando Cardenas, 2012

Revolution Stat Line: 27 appearances (9 starts), 2 goals, 2 assists

In 2008, Cardenas debuted with Deportivo Pereira in Colombia, scoring five goals in 39 appearances. His time with the club was ultimately divided among several loan spells, including a goalless, 16-game campaign with Once Caldas (Colombia). In 2012, the pacey winger joined the Revolution, making nine starts for Jay Heaps' club. He served as a firecracker off the bench, using his speed and skill over the ball to spark the team's attack.

Cardenas did not return to the Revolution in 2013, instead signing with Independiente Santa Fe, a top-flight club in Colombia. Cardenas made just two appearances for the Colombian club and, according to EuroSport, has not latched on with a team since.

7. Jose "Pepe" Moreno, 2012

Revolution Stat Line: 7 appearances (5 starts), 1 goal, 0 assists

After making his professional debut in 1999 with Deportivo Pesto in Colombia, Moreno proceeded to play for 10 additional teams before joining Once Caldas in 2011. One year later, Moreno was loaned to the Revolution, his 12th club in 13 years. Controversy ensued, as Moreno apparently had no desire to join the Revolution. Eventually, the target striker suited up for Jay Heaps' squad, making seven appearances (five starts). He scored just once.

In August 2012, the Revolution waived Moreno. With less than a year of MLS play under his belt, the Colombian striker returned to his home country to join top-tier squad La Equidad, where he scored 14 goals in 50 appearances. He currently plays for Atletico Bucaramanga of the Colombian second division.

8. Jerry Bengston, 2012-2015

Revolution Stat Line: 36 appearances (23 starts), 4 goals, 0 assists

Bengston needs no introduction. A young, prolific goalscorer in his native Honduras, he scored a combined 62 goals in 135 appearances with C.D.S. Vida and C.D. Montagua from 2007-2012. In July 2012, the Revolution signed Bengston as a highly-touted designated player, though he never delivered on his potential.

While consistently finding the net for the Honduras National Team, Bengston struggled to flash his goal-scoring prowess for the Revolution. In 36 appearances across three seasons, he scored just four goals. His inefficiency urged the Revs to send him on loan to Belgrano, though in June 2015, the Argentinian side sent him home before his loan officially expired. Shortly thereafter, the two sides agreed to part ways. Bengston signed a one-year contract with Persepolis F.C. of the Persian Gulf Pro League (Iran) in August.

9. Kalifa Cisse, 2013

Revolution Stat Line: 6 appearances (6 starts), 0 goals, 0 assists

Cisse, a veteran of England's FL Championship, appeared in 135 combined matches for Bristol City and Reading from 2007-2012. Ahead of the 2013 MLS season, the Revolution nabbed Cisse, a physical, deep-laying midfielder with excellent vision and technical skill. His stay in Foxboro lasted just six months.

After progressively losing starts to an up-and-coming Scott Caldwell, Cisse expressed an interest in returning to England. In August 2013, the Revs and Cisse mutually agreed to part ways, and the Revs terminated his contract. Fast forward two seasons, and Cisse has made 52 appearances for Bangkok United of the Thai Premier League, scoring a pair of goals.

10. Geoffrey Castillion, 2014

Revolution Stat Line: 1 appearance (0 starts), 0 goals, 0 assists

In 2010, Castillion debuted for Ajax, historically the top club in Holland, after a five-year stint in the team's youth system. But in three-and-half seasons, Castillion went on loan to four different clubs, ultimately signing with the Revolution in late 2014.

In a Revolution press release, Revs General Manager Mike Burns called Castillion "a big, strong target forward" who "will add a different dynamic to our attack." Unfortunately, Revolution fans never saw his potential. After making one appearance for the club (14 minutes), Castillion disappeared from the gameday 18. In December, the Dutch forward was dealt to Colorado with fellow forward Dimitry Imbongo and a second-round pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. The Rapids elected not to exercise Castillion's contract.

Once a promising MLS prospect, Castillion proceeded to sign with FC Universitatea Cluj of the Romanian second division. This summer, he signed a four-year contract with Debreceni VSC in Hungary.

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