Shalrie Joseph - Grenada and New England Revolution (MLS) Midfielder

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – New England Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph says the Revs are eager to avenge defeat against the Houston Dynamo when both teams open the 2008 US Major League Soccer (MLS) season on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.

 

The Grenada international midfield general departed Grenada Thursday after featuring in his team’s 10-0 trouncing of the United States Virgin Islands on Wednesday in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying tournament.

 

“To win is very important. We lost to them (Houston) twice in the MLS finals and it doesn’t feel so good getting so far and losing, so I know the first game at home is important but we definitely want to win,” Joseph said.

 

The New England Revolution ended their pre-season campaign with a 4-1-1 record, losing to Mexican side Atlante FC 0-1 and drawing with Marathon of Honduras 0-0.

 

The pre-season took the Revs to Bermuda and Mexico but Joseph is hoping that his homeland could be added to the itinerary as early as next year.

 

“I’ve spoken to the coach and management about coming to Grenada. They have no idea how much they are missing,” Joseph said.

 

“We have gone to Bermuda (for pre-season) three to four years and to come to Grenada it will be wonderful for the Revs and MLS. Hopefully they could work out something for next year.”

 

Last year, the Revs captured their third straight Eastern Conference Championship – and fourth overall – in their sixth consecutive appearance in the conference final.

 

New England also made a fourth appearance in the MLS Cup, finishing as runners-up for the third year in a row.

 

CMC mb/kp/lw/08