Interview with Revs Captain

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….