New England Revolution acquire Daigo Kobayashi
More preseason moves are taking place as the 2014 MLS season looms near. Jay Heaps’s New England Revolution acquired former Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Daigo Kobayashi in exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. He will be formally added to the team’s roster upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and US P-1 Visa.
“Daigo is a good person and player but we just didn’t see a spot for him on the team moving forward,” Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson said in a club statement. “We wish him the best of luck in New England.”
Kobayashi spent 12 seasons between Japan’s J-League (Tokyo Verde 2005, Omiya Ardija 2006-08, Shimizu S-Pulse 2011-12), Norway’s Tippeligaen (Stabaek IF 2009) and Greece’s Super League (Iraklis Thessaloniki 2009-11). Overall, Kobayashi has made 160 professional appearances, with 21 goals and 14 assists and has UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League experience.
Meanwhile, the Revolution defeated the Chicago Fire, 1-0 in the Desert Diamond Cup at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona. Kelyn Rowe scored a winner in the 91st minute of play to seal the win and a date with the Colorado Rapids on Mar. 1. Kickoff for that match is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast by RevolutionSoccer.net and MLSSoccer.com.
MLS Preseason – Desert Diamond Cup
New England Revolution (MLS) vs. Chicago Fire (MLS)
February 26, 2014 – North Stadium at Kino Sports Complex
New England Revolution 1, Chicago Fire 0
Scoring Summary:
NE – Kelyn Rowe (Diego Fagundez) 91+
New England Revolution: Brad Knighton, Donnie Smith (Chris Tierney 61), Jossimar Sanchez, Darrius Barnes (A.J. Soares 61), O’Brian Woodbine (Jose Goncalves 61, Darrius Barnes 63) , Andy Dorman (Gorka Larrea 46, Shalrie Joseph 61, Gorka Larrea 75), Dimitry Imbongo (Jamel Johnson 46, Diego Fagundez 61), Steve Neumann, Alec Sundly (Kelyn Rowe 61), Pierre Omanga (Patrick Mullins 61), Jerry Bengtson (Teal Bunbury 61)
Substitutes Not Used: Luis Soffner, Paolo DelPiccolo, Daigo Kobayashi
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson (Kyle Reynish 46); Lovel Palmer (Thomas Piermayr 46), Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (Steven Kinney 46), Bakary Soumare (Patrick Ianni 46), Gonzalo Segares (Hunter Jumper 46); Jeff Larentowicz © (Logan Pause 46); Benji Joya (Victor Pineda 46), Alex (Yazid Atouba 46), Harry Shipp (Giuseppe Gentile 46), Dilly Duka (Marco Franco 46); Juan Luis Anangono (Quincy Amarikwa 46)
Substitutes Not Used: Alec Kann, Parker Walsh
Misconduct Summary:
CHI – Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (caution) 34
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Assistant Referees: Corey Rockwell, Brandon Major