The New England Revolution has failed to make a big-name signing since Clint Dempsey left for England in January, but that doesn’t seem to bother Revs coach Steve Nicol, who’s turned his focus instead toward blooding some of his first-years. Injuries to forward Pat Noonan and defender Michael Parkhurst have presented rookie Adam Cristman with a chance to impress Nicol, as New England continues its preseason tour in Mexico this week. Cristman has been one of the training camp’s biggest surprises, the coach said.
Cristman scored both goals for the U.S. U-23 team during its two-game tour of Japan last month. The University of Virginia forward was available in the fourth round of this year’s MLS SuperDraft. “He’s certainly better than we thought,” said Nicol. “He’s done great in training. We’ve had a couple 11 versus 11 games and he’s scored goals. He works his socks off and he’s done well.”
Other new boys that will feature in the Revs plans this season are first-round picks Wells Thompson, a left winger, and Amaeche Igwe, a right back. However, none of these rookies are likely to start when the Revs open the season at Chicago on April 7.