Porter Hints At Signing, Explains Why The Revs Waived Two Players

"It just made sense, for the short and long term.”

Photo Courtesy of J. Alexander Dolan

While it’s never easy to say goodbye to a player, head coach Caleb Porter explained that waiving Maxi Urruti and Luis Diaz was done with the club in mind.

Urruti, 34, collected two goals in 20 appearances for the New England Revolution (five starts). He last saw the field against D.C. United on Saturday when he replaced Leo Campana moments before the final whistle.

Diaz, 26, had one assist in 19 appearances (one start). He last played against Orlando City SC on July 19.

Both players arrived in New England this year, having previously worked with Porter.

“These are decisions we don’t take lightly,” Porter said. “These are things we think through, and because of the multitude of factors…it just made sense. It was the right thing to do, because long term, [Urruti and Diaz] weren’t in the plans.”

Porter said that it “wasn’t one thing” that led to the roster moves announced on Thursday.

One factor was the return of Ignatius Ganago, who had been sidelined since early June with a leg injury he suffered during international duty.

Ganago played 27 minutes against D.C., helping the club secure its first win since May 31st. The Revs are 7-4-5 when the attacker makes an appearance.

Porter also noted that the Revolution have several young players whom they want to reward.

“We want to make sure that we give those players an opportunity to get closer, even if that’s being on the bench,” Porter said.

The Summer Transfer Window was also part of the decision-making process. The club has until August 21 to make moves.

“We’re still looking to sign a player or two in the attack, so having that roster flexibility is for sure a factor,” Porter said.

Porter didn’t give any names, but did hint that news could be on the horizon. The Revs have recently had discussions about acquiring Israeli striker Dor Turgeman, currently with Maccabi Tel Aviv FC.

“I think you’ll see, hopefully, a signing that we make,” Porter said. “Obviously, we’ll see. You never know until the end.”

It wasn’t an easy decision to waive Urruti and Diaz, but Porter believes it was the right thing to do.

“As hard as it was to get rid of two guys that I really respect and care about—I respect and care about the entire team—but for me, I have to do the right thing all the time,” Porter said. “If you look at all those things, and you look at hopefully the signing that we’re going to make, it just made sense, for the short and long term.”