Roster Breakdown: Where Do the Revolution Have the Most Depth?

Goalkeeper

Starter: Bobby Shuttleworth

Bench: Brad Knighton

Depth Rating: 9/10

The Revolution have benefited from stability at the goalkeeper position for more than a decade. In 2014, Shuttleworth grabbed hold of the starting spot, guiding the Revs to playoff appearances in both seasons. With a knack for making timely saves, he has developed into one of the unsung heroes of the club.

Backup Knighton, who originally joined the Revolution as an undrafted player in 2007, provides veteran experience, having earned 27 starts across three seasons with the Philadelphia Union and Vancouver Whitecaps before joining the Revs in 2014. He would serve as a more than capable No. 1 if Shuttleworth went down with an injury.

Before the 2016 season kicks off, Jay Heaps will need to add a third goalkeeper, though the position serves as nothing more than a formality at this point.

Defense

Starters: Chris Tierney, Jose Goncalves, Andrew Farrell

Bench: Darrius Barnes, London Woodberry

Depth Rating: 4.5/10

In his first season without center back A.J. Soares, Heaps was forced to make key decisions along the back line. He responded by replacing Soares with Farrell and signing unproven Woodberry and veteran Hall. Farrell adjusted just fine—but the team suffered from a lack of defensive depth and inconsistent play from the right back spot.

Heaps will undoubtedly need to address the back line in the offseason by bringing in at least one role-playing center back and one starting-worthy right back. Veteran Barnes and up-and-coming Woodberry figure to earn starts, but neither player seems worthy of earning a long-term starting spot—at least not yet. Expect Heaps to shake things up this offseason.

Midfield

Starters: Kelyn Rowe, Scott Caldwell, Lee Nguyen, Teal Bunbury

Bench: Diego Fagundez, Daigo Kobayashi, Donnie Smith, Zachary Herivaux

Depth Rating: 7/10

In 2015, club legend Dorman and one-time supersub Neumann struggled to crack into the deep Revolution midfield. Neither player is on the current roster. Ahead of the 2016 season, Heaps will benefit from similar depth, with capable starters Fagundez and Kobayashi likely coming off the bench. Youngster Herivaux and enigma Smith round out the roster, though neither player figures to earn extended minutes next season.

The primary hole, of course, is located next to Caldwell in the midfield. Heaps likes to employ two holding midfielders, and the expected departure of Jermaine Jones leaves the door open for a change. Kobayashi is the only rostered player with a shot at making the regular 11—and even then, Heaps will need to make a move, bringing in a physical defensive midfielder to either provide depth (should Heaps field Caldwell as the lone holding midfielder) or start beside Caldwell.

Forward

Starter: Charlie Davies

Bench: Juan Agudelo, Sean Okoli

Depth Rating: 9/10

During the latter stages of the 2015 season, Heaps rarely employed two forwards, instead sticking to his classic 4-2-3-1 with two wide midfielders and a lone striker. His decision left Davies and Agudelo jostling for a starting spot. And then, when it seemed like Davies had broken through, Heaps started Agudelo in club's knockout-round loss to D.C. United (and he scored an outrageous bicycle kick).

Ahead of the 2016 season, pundits have already called for a return to the two-striker set, with Agudelo out wide and Davies up top. But regardless of how he manipulates roster, Heaps benefits from outstanding depth, with two elite forwards at his disposal. Even Okoli offers upside, having looked sharp in 46 short minutes last season.

The club will likely add a fourth forward for depth—injuries nagged Agudelo last season and Davies will be 30 next summer—but at this point, Heaps has little to worry about.

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