Now that preseason has begun for the New England Revolution, it's time to take stock of what the team has and where it needs to improve. In that vein, I've decided to do a quick "if the season began tomorrow" examination of the optimal starting XI (and game day 18) on the roster right now.

I have taken a few liberties.

America de Cali's loss has turned out to be the New England Revolution's gain.

The Revolution announced the signings of centerback John Lozano and attacking midfielder Fernando Cardenas from the traditional Colombian giant, which was relegated to the country's second division last month.

There is so much that can change the draft and the way that teams select that it's really hard to look at KC's first round pick, the 16th overall, let alone the rest of KC's draft. So we're going to just look at the 16th draft pick at this point and go through the rest of the picks as they come up during the draft.

Rajko Lekic scored the the game-winner in a memorable match against Sporting K.C. on April 23rd (Photo: Chris Aduama/aduama.com).

Let's face it: 2011 wasn't particularly kind to the New England Revolution. And that's probably putting it lightly.

Nevertheless, the year wasn't entirely devoid of hope or optimism.

Time for the 2011 season grades to (finally) continue! Corey, Matty, and I have looked at the four major areas of the team - goalkeeping, defense, midfield, forwards - and assigned our grades on a 4.0 scale.

Unfortunately for the New England Revolution, we don't curve based on the rest of the league.

The Revs already have their veteran leader in the back: Matt Reis. (Photo by CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

Over the past few seasons there seemed to be a general consensus that the New England Revolution needed a veteran in the back line to help guide its relatively young defense. Admittedly, I was a part of that group.

The Revolution used its second overall pick to select former University of Rhode Island midfielder Danleigh Borman from Toronto during Stage 1 of today's Re-entry Draft. Since Borman is out of contract, the league will extend a Bona Fide offer to him to play for the Revolution.

Borman played in 21 games for the Reds and recorded three assists in 2011.

Five days prior to the first stage of the Re-Entry draft, the Revolution announced that it has declined the contract options on veterans Ryan Cochrane, Kheli Dube and Pat Phelan.

With the moves, all three are eligible for selection in the Re-Entry Draft as each has at least four years of MLS experience and are over the age of 25.

Yes, I know it's been a week since I wrote. Sorry, school comes first. Here's something to tide you lovely people over till I can write a proper article. Keep in mind that my offer to help contribute to the MLS offside stands, and that if you're interested you should email me at kaufmb@d-e.

So the kid doesn't just have fresh flows when Hope Solo drops into KC. Turns out he can ball, too. As I'll do with the conclusion of each of these votes, here's a look back at my rookie of the year ballot on August 3. Far, far before this thing was through. Rookie of the Year Will Bruin, Houston In the running: Rich Balchan, A.

When he scored a goal in his first professional match, it was clear C.J. Sapong intended on doing big things his rookie year.

The James Madison product didn't come into the league with much fanfare, but once he settled into the Sporting Kansas City starting lineup, and played a key role in the team's turnaround from a 1-6-4 start, it was clear Sapong was a special player.

The 2011 MLS Draft was considered a good one with more long-term upside than immediate contributors when it took place last January, but as the season went on, we realized that the number of rookies who would wind up playing key roles on teams would be higher than most would have expected.

About the domestic league...

...sort of.

Let me explain.

First, the schedule of events over the next four or five days. Today, "voting" on MLS Awards "Part I," Saturday, more, Sunday more, Monday "voting" on MLS Awards Part Final (Best XI). Note, on that Best XI, TSG won't chicken out and go with three defenders LAME!

New England has some tough decisions to make in regards to the expansion draft. (Getty Images)

It may be the final week of the season but we are moving on in the 2011 Expansion Draft lists here. I've already covered the Vancouver Whitecaps and now I will tackle another club that is out of contention the New England Revolution.

Brian O'Connell of ESPN Boston brought up in his piece from yesterday that this Saturday at Gillette will conclude the Revs' season (at least at home) with their annual awards night. The awards that will be given out include MVP, Defender of the Year, and Humanitarian of the Year. So, this got me to thinking: just who might be the most likely candidates for this year's awards?

By Chris Wright

If you though HIK's previous overwrought/decidedly annoying goal celebrations (think Shakira, Guns N' Roses, etc) were low budget and chintzy just wait until you see their latest offering, 'The Goal of Love'.

Scored in the same game that spawned the Axl Rose-aping tomfoolery, the 'Goal of Love' sees a chap named Soares bag a completely unremarkable goal, charge into the crowd to kiss his girlfriend Alysson and then, for the benefit of mankind, produce a naff tribute video (complete with Avatar-esque 'special' effects) to mark the occasion that is so cringe-inducing that it made a little bit of sick come up.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. With their postseason hopes officially over, the New England Revolution's final three games won't be just about finishing the season with pride. The final three weeks of the season are expected to be a trial period for players, especially with so much overhaul expected after a lackluster campaign.

Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISIphotos.com

New England Revolution rookie centerback A.J. Soares will miss the club's final three games after undergoing ankle surgery on Thursday.

Soares started 28 games in his first season in MLS, but he injured his left ankle and will need the next 6-to-8 weeks to go through rehabilitation following the surgery, according to a team-issued release.

Following the Revolution's elimination from the postseason race, fourth-year veteran Chris Tierney suggested that "jobs are on the line" going into the final three games of season.

Although that may seem drastic, Tierney's point isn't terribly off base. With the team chained to the basement, it stands to reason that more than a few Revolution players may be playing in their final games in Foxboro this month.

The New England Revolution are all set to take on the San Jose Earthquakes this Saturday at Gillette Stadium. It will be a battle to see who is more irrelevant in the current MLS conversation; both teams have been officially eliminated from playoff contention and are now playing for naught but pride and job security.

Saturday night in Foxboro the Revolution once again squandered an early lead and succumbed to defeat to Seattle 2-1. Sadly, it's a script all too familiar to the members of the 2011 squad, and it certainly sticks out as the team's biggest shortcoming. After surrendering two more goals on Saturday, the "goals against" tally for New England eclipsed the 50 goal milestone, as the Revs have now conceded 51 times this season, putting them behind only Toronto FC for worst in the league.

Diego Fagundez scored his second goal of the season on a night when he became the youngest player to start a game for the New England Revolution, but Fredy Montero responded with a pair of goals for Seattle Sounders FC as the visitors claimed a come-from-behind, 2-1 win at Gillette Stadium on Saturday night.

Soccer is a game of goals. Not necessarily pretty goals, not amazing feats of beating strong defense, just goals. Saturday night as the Seattle Sounders beat the New England Revolution 2:1 the goals made were all off of defensive errors. Diego Fagundez was unmarked on a corner leaving him with just Kasey Keller to beat.

After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5 average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O'Connell contributed ratings for the New England Revolution's 2-1 loss to Seattle on Saturday.

When the Revolution step onto the pitch on Saturday night, they'll have two objectives: avoid another embarrassment and, if successful, steal three points in the process.

Both will be easier said than done, of course. With the high-octane Seattle Sounders in town, the Revs will have their hands full against one of the most well-balanced clubs in the league.

Often the focus when talking about the New England Revolution the focus becomes off-field issues (stadium hunt, fan relations and Kraft's treatment of team). And it is possible that those worries have taken their toll on the team itself, for the Revs were once a standout organization in terms of wins and opportunities for titles.

Well, I'm glad I tempered my expectations for this one. I went into this one pretty sure we wouldn't be walking away with 3 points. So, I can't say I was terribly disappointed with the result, since I was ready for it. I was, however, pretty disappointed with the way we played. Just when you think that maybe we've learned, we go and commit the same old stupid mistakes that we've been committing all season.

After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5 average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O'Connell contributed ratings for the New England Revolution's 3-0 loss in Portland on Friday.

The Portland Timbers got the vital 3-0 win at home on Friday night they needed to stay in the playoff hunt, while ending any dreams of the postseason still held by the New England Revolution.

Despite several chances, Milton Caraglio failed to find the back of the net on Friday. (Photo by CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.

The New England Revolution will finish the season winless in the Pacific and Mountain time zones after they fell 3-0 to the Portland Timbers at Jeld-Wen Field tonight. The loss has all but mathematically ruled the Revolution out of the playoffs, while three points was exactly what Portland needed to keep their postseason hopes a very real possibility.

Photo courtesy of West Virginia media relations

By AVI CREDITOR

Remember the name Eric Schoenle. Opposing forwards have a hard time forgetting it.

Like top college centerbacks Tim Ream and A.J. Soares before him, Schoenle (pronounced SHANE-lee), West Virginia's junior centerback is emerging as a top prospect and has the technical and physical tools that should translate to professional success.

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

When he was drafted by the New England Revolution, defender A.J. Soares was regarded by many as the most pro-ready defender in the MLS Draft and a player capable of stepping in and contributing right away.

Soares has been just that for the Revs this season, and this past week was a strong example of that.

Come on now, Revs, don't go getting me all excited and optimistic again! Fool me once.. or.. err... 4 times.. shame on you, but fool me a 5th time... you get where I'm going. Needless to say, I was quite shocked to hear on Saturday night that won, against FC Dallas no less. Unfortunately, I was unable to watch the game until last night, so forgive my delay in getting this piece up.

After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5 average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O'Connell contributed ratings for the New England Revolution's 2-0 victory over FC Dallas.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

As far as first starts go it was not what Zac MacMath would have wanted, but it was certainly not a contest he will forget anytime soon. The rookie goalkeeper will fondly remember the night the Union stormed back from 4-1 down in the second half to earn a gritty point.

PSP photographer Paul Rudderow was on hand for Philadelphia Union Wednesday night's 4–4 tie with the New England Revolution. The Union fell behind 4-1 but came back in the second half. Here's a look at what he saw. (Click on the photo for a full-size photo.)

New England pressured early but Gabriel Farfan countered with a stong clearing header.

This game was truly a microcosm of the best parts of our season: decent play and early leads that get thrown in the garbage by the end. What a miserable year to be a Revolution fan. The losing formula? "get a solid lead in the first half, let other team catch up in the second, give up in the last ten minutes", to quote my girlfriend.

The New England Revolution couldn't hang onto a 3-0 lead or a 4-1 lead in front of 16,148 at PPL Park on Wednesday night, splitting the points with the Union. The Revolution's AJ Soares opened the scoring in the 9th minute, and it was 2-0 New England when Rajko Lekic converted a penalty kick in the 21st minute.

Click here to view the embedded video.

New England Manager Steve Nicol put it best: "Both teams were as bad defensively as each other."

In a game that featured eight goals—two by way of penalty kicks—the Union overcame a three-goal deficit to salvage a draw at home against the Eastern Conference bottom-dwelling Revolution on Wednesday night.

After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5 average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O'Connell contributed ratings for the New England Revolution's 4-4 draw at the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday.