When you pick up the phone to speak with a professional
athlete you’re never quite sure what you are going to get. Sports treads right
on the line of entertainment and it is difficult to ascertain whether the
person you watch on the TV screen or live on the field is only a character that
comes out when the uniform is pulled on.
I recently spoke on the phone with New England Revolution
midfielder Shalrie Joseph for an upcoming work event that he will be at and the
first thing that came to mind was, “This is the same guy I see on the pitch
tearing apart everything in his path?” Turns out the wild-eyed, dreadlocked
6’3” midfield monster that dominates a soccer match is also a gentle giant that
loves to laugh and seems content with where he is in his career and his life.
“People always tell me I’m a different person off the
field,” Joseph chuckled after I pointed out that the soft-spoken voice I was
hearing did not quite match the player I had watched for so long. “Off the
field I’m a gentle giant who is fortunate enough to be playing the game he
loves.”
I was a volunteer stats guy for the Revs for several seasons
during the pinnacle of the team’s success. I was in the booth with play-by-play
man Brad Feldman and analyst Greg Lalas and it was my job to keep track of the corners,
write down the goal scorers/times/assists for Brad, and to block the door
during pre-game and halftime tapings. I got yelled at occasionally, I was
almost always scrambling for info, and I even had a pen thrown at my head one
time, but it was great to be even a small part of the team’s amazing run.
(Brad Feldman got a little wound up sometimes in the booth,
but I always knew it was because he wanted the perfect broadcast and as I found
out during my own time as a play-by-play guy, even on a much smaller level,
it’s an extremely tough job. It really was an amazing learning experience and a
lot of fun and I am thankful to Brad and the Revs for letting me be a part of
it.)
The joy of the gig was watching that great Revs squad under
Steve Nichol play a brand of passing, fluid soccer that was ahead of its time
in the MLS. Being able to watch Taylor Twellman, Clint
Dempsey, Matt Reis, Pat Noonan, Steve Ralston (my favorite), Michael Parkhurst,
and Andy Dorman was a luxury that not many other MLS fans would be lucky enough
to experience.
The key to it all however was Joseph. He would race
down the field to put in a crunching tackle and protect his defenders and then
immediately get up and find the key pass to send the Revs into the attack.
Nominally a defensive midfielder, Joseph was as likely to make a tackle, as he
was to provide an outlet for a pass, subtly create space for the attackers, and/or
arrive from deep to create a scoring opportunity.
Joseph, who has made 8 All-Star teams and been named to the
MLS Best XI 4 times, has arguably been the most consistent performer in the
league over the last decade. Twice, the Revs received
offers from Celtic for a transfer and both times the Revs and the league
turned the offer down.
When I asked how he felt about those possibilities, Joseph
answered honestly, “I was pissed for a few days, but then I had to get over
it.” He later added, “God needs me to be in MLS and working hard to be a better
player every day and to push forward. I love Boston and the area and I am very
happy where I am.”
It has been difficult to watch the Revs for the past few
seasons as the great team of the past has been dismantled by age, transfers,
and loss of form. The uncomfortable relationship between the team and
ownership, which has continued to force the Revs to play
in the cavernous Gillette Stadium, has led to a weakening relationship
between fans and the team.
Through all the adversity there has been Joseph, new coach
and former defender Jay Heaps, and goalie Matt Reis. (Shalrie on Matt- “I wish
I could be more like Matt. He always has a joke and makes everyone laugh in the
locker room.”)
Watching the team this season I have not been depressed
about the results but excited to see a return to passing soccer and
versatile, hard-working players that has marked the Revs style at their cusp.
Despite the Revs still being near the bottom of the league, there was no
bitterness in Joseph’s voice when he told me, “I was lucky to be part of a
great team. We kept going to the playoffs and it’s been a little frustrating
trying to get back. We take for granted success. The young guys are improving
but we’ve only won 2 games (since the interview they’ve won twice more
including a fantastic 4-1
win over the weekend) and results are all that matters.”
The Revs may never have as talented a team as they did
during their three straight MLS Cup trips but there is reason for optimism
watching the team build with youth. Luckily for the Revs, they still have Joseph
patrolling the middle of the field as the foundation on which to build.
Now if they could just get a stadium that’s worth showing up
to….
