The Revolution are getting one of MLS’s top scorers, but he comes with some baggage
The eighth-place New England Revolution have mostly struggled through the first couple of months of the 2016 season. The team’s most remarkable achievement is probably its seven ties — putting it on pace to obliterate the record for most draws in a season.
But the Revs added a little bit of punch Thursday when the club announced it had traded for Columbus Crew star striker Kei Kamara.
https://twitter.com/NERevolution/status/730838023647043584
Kamara, 31, is a Major League Soccer veteran who has played in Europe and at the international level for Sierra Leone. His 22 goals last season tied for most in the league, as the Crew dashed toward a losing effort in the MLS Cup finals. He was recognized on MLS’s end-of-season Best-XI squad.
The Revolution did not give up any players for Kamara. They sent draft picks and allocation money (a convoluted MLS tool to help teams manage the salary cap) to the Crew to bring on their new striker.
The Revs have some talent on the attacking end and haven’t struggled to find goal-scoring chances — their 154 shots are fourth in the league. But they’ve struggled to convert on the opportunities: Their 13 goals are tied for 12th. Kamara has already netted five this season.
And having experienced an ugly breakup with midfielder and U.S. National Team star Jermaine Jones last winter, Kamara adds some star power to New England.
So why’d Columbus — who signed Kamara to a new contract just before the start of the season — get rid of him?
The trade came days after Kamara and teammate Federico “Pipa” Higuain bickered over who should take a penalty kick in a game against Montreal, with Higuain ultimately taking the shot (and scoring). In postgame comments, Kamara blasted Higuain as “selfish,” earning himself a suspension from the team. Then, he blasted the suspension.
Anthony Precourt, the Crew’s chairman and owner, seemed ready to move on, tweeting that this week’s problems with Kamara were just the latest.
Need this to be crystal clear, not about the PK or Pipa drama this week. One chapter in the book. #CrewSC
— Anthony Precourt (@APrecourt) May 12, 2016
Trade rumors swirled throughout the week. Tuesday on Twitter, Kamara told his followers not to take them too seriously:
It’s just rumors guys…stay calm ♠️💛 pic.twitter.com/fX0g7SJ0sC
— KEI KAMARA (@keikamara) May 10, 2016
But by Thursday morning, he had changed his tune:
Remember I said relax….SHIT PANIC….♠️💛✌️ pic.twitter.com/jEJDe7whap
— KEI KAMARA (@keikamara) May 12, 2016
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