Call in the German Cavalry

by John Prance

One look at the most recent injury report for the Revolution, and you already see a headache for young head coach Jay Heaps. Of the six players listed between Questionable and Out, three are potential defensive starters. Darrius Barnes, the fourth year player out of Duke University, is suffering from a calf strain. A.J. Soares, the versatile second year man, is Questionable with a knee sprain. New signing John Lozano is doubtful with a hip flexor sprain.  Lozano and Soares started the Revs first game against the Earthquakes (CB and LB respectively), and with such injuries already piling up reinforcements were needed immediately.

Lechner battles
Phillip Lahm

In comes German defender Florian Lechner, an interesting signing for the Revolution that could pay off dividends. The 31-year-old defender brings versatility and experience to a depleted backline. He is a natural RB but can fill in on the left and help plug the center of defense. From 2004-2011 he played for FC St. Pauli, a German team which has had more ups and downs than a Duncan Yo-Yo. He reached new heights with the club, helping them reach the German First Division (Bundesliga) in 2010. He also hit rock bottom, having started in one of their last games of the season, in which St. Pauli lost to Bayern Munich 8-1.

The Revolution are not a team lacking the experience of hitting consistent success, and then dropping rapidly. Lechner will not be joining the team until both his ITC (International Transfer Certificate) and P-1 Visa are approved, a process which could take a few weeks. Once we see Lechner on the field though, he could be one of the catalysts the Revs need to make the Revolution’s Gillette Stadium look like St. Pauli’s Stadium:

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