Usseglio: The Legacy of DeJuan Jones
Sports can be cruel
As a fan, sports can be cruel. We get attached to the people playing for our club, that become part of the fabric of our community. Sometimes we get a warning when a beloved player will be leaving. This time, we were not so lucky.
DeJuan Jones was not just a standout player or a stalwart in the Revs defensive unit that won the Supporters Shield in a remarkable 2021 season, setting a points record not yet topped by another club. He was also a standout person.
As soon as the trade with Columbus was announced, the overwhelming sentiment from fans, players, and the Revs staff was sadness. Sadness that a great person, someone who had become part of the New England sports family was leaving.
It is a tough pill to swallow. Jones is not heading overseas, the next in a line of Revs moving on to bigger and better things. A fact of life we all have to come to terms with as Major League Soccer transitions into a selling league.
The time fans have with bright, talented young players is increasingly fleeting. Maybe if Jones was heading to Europe it would be easier to accept. But that is not the case.
Jones is heading to the Crew, an original MLS rival operating at a frightening level and playing an attractive style of soccer under the guide of Wilfrid Nancy. Jones should fit right into Nancy’s system, with many Revs fans cheering him on so long as the Crew don’t cross paths with the Revs.
Upon his exit, Jones takes his place in the history of the Revolution as arguably one of the best in the league at his position. He follows in the footsteps of Parkhurst, Reis, Twellman, Ralston, and Joseph. His performances at his peak put him right up there with the best defenders that have taken the field in a Revolution uniform. He continued the strong tradition the Revs have cultivated of drafting and fielding American players.
Off the pitch, Jones cared about the community. He took the lead when Teal Bunbury moved to Nashville SC, carrying on the annual Thanksgiving and back-to-school drives. His leadership and love made the New England community better. He cared about us, and we cared about him. Now we have to watch him go.
His departure is hard enough simply due to the quality of person and player leaving the squad. But what also makes this move even tougher is the clear signal the team has decided to rebuild.
The Bruce Arena era is over. The window for the record-setting 2021 core has slammed shut, with an unclear future lying ahead. In the end, the trade of Jones and subsequently Kessler may prove to be steps on the path to building a new squad capable of challenging for an MLS Cup. That would require smart signings and a whole lot of luck, something far from a guarantee.
But this is the place the Revs find themselves these days. Where trading one of the cornerstones of the team and a pillar in the community was deemed necessary to open up cap space.
 | A guest post by
|
Beautiful tribute, and completely needed at this time for Revs fans.
One question: what does "cap space" mean? I understand the Kraft family has become very poor, and needs the Revs to be a tax write-off for their stadium expenses, but this is a league with the world's greatest player, Lionel Messi, and massive expansion fees.
The Revs have been selling now for quite a stretch - Buchanan, Petrovic, Buksas, and now this loyal crop - so what should fans think other than lack of money? Let's shelve any talk of "MLS Cup" until there is the slightest move towards serious competition from the suits in the Lighthouse.
With DeJuan being traded it was a hard pill to swallow for many of us fans to swallow.