Report: Revolution Acquiring Austin FC's Nick Lima
The veteran right back joins the Revs after stints with San Jose and Austin.
The New England Revolution are on the verge of making their first addition ahead of the 2024 MLS season. According to The Athletic’s Tom Bogert and Paul Tenorio, the club will acquire Austin FC defender Nick Lima for $275,000 in GAM.
News of a possible Nick Lima trade came out on October 30th when the Moontown Soccer podcast stated that the veteran right back would likely be traded away from Austin this offseason, with New England being the likely destination.
However, the deal won't become official until the MLS roster freeze lifts on December 11th.
Lima is a massive addition to the Revolution, who have lacked depth at the wing back position over the past few seasons. A gaping hole that got even deeper in August when Brandon Bye suffered a season-ending right ACL injury.
With Bye’s recovery expected to take nine months, expect Lima to be a consistent presence on the right until Bye returns.
Lima joins the Revolution after appearing in 211 matches across all competitions for the San Jose Earthquakes and Austin FC, where he tallied eight goals and 16 assists over 16,293 minutes. Lima also has nine caps with the United States Men’s National Team.
Revs should have a ton of money, with all the players they've sold in the last couple of years - especially with Petrovic/Chelsea haul. This kind of deal worked very well for them last year with Romney.
Interesting that while the Revs have been promoting some real talent from their academy, it's almost all been attacking talent. Peyton Miller is coming up for next season and while he's been used often as a LB, he may also ultimately be a winger.
Still, Lima looks like a depth signing after a season in which they were stripped bare at outside back. Lima/Bye/Jones at RB, Jones/Spaulding/Miller at LB.