New England Sends Third Loanee, Jossimar Sanchez, To Rochester

Per a team release, The New England Revolution today loaned defender Jossimar Sanchez to the Rochester Rhinos, the team's USL PRO affiliate.

Sanchez is the third of the four players the Revolution will loan to Rochester for the 2014 season per the teams' affiliate agreement. One additional player will be loaned to the Rhinos at a later date. Sanchez reported to Rochester this week and has begun training with the Rhinos, and will be available for selection once the team begins its 2014 season on April 5 in Orlando. The Revolution can re-call any of its loaned players, which also includes goalkeeper Luis Soffner and midfielder Alec Sundly, at any time.

Sanchez, 22, originally signed with the Revolution on Feb. 26, 2014, after the team drafted him in the first round of the 2013 Supplemental Draft. A two-year captain at Connecticut, he transitioned from center midfielder to center back as a senior and made 74 career appearances while scoring two goals and adding one assist. Sanchez earned 2012 first-team All-BIG EAST honors after being selected to the all-conference third team as a sophomore (2010) and junior (2011). He also earned a place on the BIG EAST all-rookie team in 2009. A late-season leg injury his senior year delayed his ability to work out with the Revs, but he did train with the team late in 2013 before joining the squad for preseason this year. Sanchez appeared in six of the Revolution's seven preseason games, playing mostly as an outside back.

Sanchez always seemed like he'd be a likely candidate to spend time in Rochester after signing with the Revs last month. That said, some regular playing time will certainly be advantageous for the rookie as he is still working his way back to full game fitness after taking a year off to recover from a leg injury (and ensuing surgery) that he suffered late in his senior season at UConn.

With Sanchez departing Foxboro, only 24 players remain with the first team. Once we know the fourth loanee, that number will become even thinner. Before being waived by the team, Paolo DelPiccolo seemed like he might be a prime candidate to spend time with the Rhinos this season. Alas, outside speculation will now be that much narrower with only a few remaining likely nominees on the Revs roster, at least as it currently stands.