In a pair of roster moves, the New England Revolution waived defender/midfielder Daniel Hernandez, and placed defender Joe Franchino on the season-ending injury list yesterday.Hernandez, who was in the middle of his ninth MLS season, had been hampered by injury during the past two seasons. He was limited to just seven regular season games last year due to an ankle injury, but played in all four Revolution postseason matches, and started in three of them. His postseason performance apparently gave the Revs reason enough to stick with the Tyler, TX, native and signed him to a contract extension during the offseason. This season, Hernandez once again found himself nursing an injury, and was limited to reserve league matches without ever appearing in a first team match.
Franchino was granted a leave of absence for personal reasons before the regular season commenced, and returned to the club in early May. Soon after, the former Revolution captain made his 2007 debut on May 3rd at DC United, when he was inserted as a late-match substitute during the 2-2 draw. He appeared in two more matches thereafter, all as substitutes, as well as three reserve league appearances, before being placed on the season-ending injured list.
The transfer of Franchino to the MLS season-ending injury list opens up a spot on the senior roster, and it is quite possible that slot could be filled by a rookie on the developmental roster - perhaps recently-signed defender Kyle Helton. In any event, the transaction allows for manager Steve Nicol to entertain the idea of bringing in new talent. With a boatload of youth already in place, Nicol's best bet may be to scour the waiver wire and bring in a veteran player to replace Franchino.
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