Report: Mariner Headed Back to England

A bit of a shocker for a slow Thursday evening:

Former England striker Paul Mariner is being lined up for a return to first club Plymouth as assistant manager.

Mariner, 56, has been in talks with the new Home Park board and his appointment is set to be rubber-stamped next week.

It will be his first management post in England after 20 years in the USA, where he is assistant to ex-Liverpool and Scotland defender Steve Nicol at MLS club New England Revolution.

No word as to whether Mariner would be leaving immediately, or if he’d see this season out in Foxboro.

Noonan Available?

From Columbus Dispatch writer Shawn Mitchell:

Is Pat Noonan’s $175,000 salary coupled with his reserve role doing the Crew any good? Could he be of more service to another team? Could the Crew, with little wiggle room under the salary cap, put that money to better use?

Personally, I’d pass.  But I could see the Revs expressing some interest.

Revs Poised to Sign Reinforcements

The Boston Herald provides good news on the transfer front in today’s edition.

The Revolution are in the advanced stages of negotiations with a defender and a striker of African descent and are hopeful of sealing their signatures, according to vice president of player personnel Michael Burns.

Nicol said he spotted both players during the course of scouting trips to Ghana. The defender could be expected to step right in and play if signed, while the striker is a younger player who may need some time to adjust, the coach reported.

Revs Offer Contracts to Two Ghanian Players

Both the Globe and the Herald quote Steve Nicol as having offered contracts to a young forward and young defender from Ghana.  Obviously, Nicol doesn’t give too much away beyond that…

“They’re young guys,” Nicol said. “They’re only offers. They might take them, they might not.”

Taking public speaking lessons from Captain Obvious, eh Steve?

Not much to work with, but that won’t stop us from making an educated guess about the identity of one of the players in question…

Revs Interested in Gomez… again.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before…

Dallas’s interest in Colorado midfielder Christian Gomez has gone from warm to room temperature to frosty, according to one of his reps, leaving Chivas USA and New England as possible destinations. The Rapids would like to dump his 400K guaranteed contract before the season starts. (Or at least a large portion of it since any trade may require the club to continue paying some of his salary.)

Steven Goff, Washington Post

Of course, this refutes the report from the Boston Herald, which quotes Mike Burns as saying the Revs have not have any discussions about Gomez with Colorado.

And the Herald asked Burns about the Gomez rumors that were first published by Ives Galarcep, who said the Revs were interested in dealing one of their two first round picks to Denver in exchange for the former league MVP.

Somebody’s not telling the truth, boys and girls.

Gomez Sweepstakes Heating Up

The race to sign out-of-favor Colorado midfielder Christian Gomez is apparently heating up and at this point, it appears likely that the former MLS MVP will be traded during tomorrow’s SuperDraft.

Ives Galarcep is reporting that the Revs are talking to the Rapids:

With Colorado desperately looking to unload disgruntled former MLS MVP Christian Gomez, the Rapids just might have a suitor in New England. According to a source (and you can stick this under the category of rumor rather than deal close to being done), the Revs could be interested in acquiring the Argentine playmaker for a package including one of New England’s first-round draft picks (10 and 15). The Rapids would also likely have to pay a portion of Gomez’ contract, which has one year left at the league non-DP maximum.

Excited at the prospects of Gomez heading to Foxboro?  Don’t get your hopes up just yet.

Revs, Fire in Race to sign Robbie Fowler

Oh yeah, this will go over real well with Myra.

It’s either Fowler or Messi for the Revs.

That’s what I heard anyway.

Roughly the same chance of either of them pulling on a Revs uniform next year.

Christian Gomez to New England?

Probably nothing more than idle speculation, but count me among those who would not be terribly upset if this were to happen:

New England has gauged Colorado’s interest in trading out-of-favor Christian Gomez for the #15 pick.  2009 is the last year of his deal with MLS.

Yes, he got benched by one of the worst teams in the league last year.  Then again, his benching could explain why Colorado is consistently one of the worst teams in the league.

Gregory Richardson Eyes MLS Deal

I’m officially starting a rumor.

Remember Gregory Richardson?  Let me refresh your memory.  He’s the guy that ran around, over, and through our defense in that 3-0 abortion of home leg defeat to Joe Public in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Revs Looking to Move Up in Draft?

Ives Galarcep checks in with his Mock Draft today.  Most interesting to Revs fans are a couple of notes regarding New England’s efforts to move up.

2. Toronto FC- Omar Gonzalez, D, Maryland

The list of teams interested in moving up to this pick continues to grow because there are a handful of teams eager to grab Gonzalez. TFC isn’t convinced in Gonzalez and look very likely to grab the best trade package. Sources tell me offers have already been made and Los Angeles, FC Dallas, D.C. United and New England have all been identified as teams interested in moving up.

Gonzalez to the Revs is a long shot – especially if LA, Dallas, and DC are interested.  LA picks 3rd and would only have to move up one spot to make sure they get Gonzalez.  Dallas picks 5th and 11th and DC United picks 6th and 7th.  The Revs are outgunned, unless Toronto just wants to sell the pick to whichever team is willing to give them the most allocation money.

Either that, or there’s something bigger cooking.  Can’t get the Twellman trade rumors out of my head.

As for the Revs’ picks in this scenario…