of The New England Revolution has agreed to a trade for Austin FC back right Nick Lima Before the league’s trade window opened on Dec. 11, sources briefed on the deal said Athletics.
The Revs will send Austin about $275,000 in GAM in exchange for Lima, the former 29-year-old. San Jose earthquakes local defender. The deal has been agreed to, but it can’t be worked out until Dec. 11, when the league lifts its roster freeze. MLS Cup is on December 9th.
Lima has been with Austin since the club’s inaugural 2021 season and has been a constant in the back line, having made 104 appearances. He began his career in San Jose and made 107 appearances for the Earthquakes from 2017-2020. He has won nine caps with the USMNT, the last of which came in 2019.
New England’s starting right fielder, Brandon Byeis still recovering from an ACL tear suffered in late August and is likely to miss the start of 2024 as he continues to recover.
The move kicks off a busy offseason for both clubs involved.
New England has yet to officially name a successor to Bruce Arena as both athletic director and head coach. Curt Onalfo is the current interim athletic director and Clint Peay finished the year as interim head coach. Designated player Gustavo Bou is out of contract while the Revs still have to decide on the gifted winger’s buyout option Tomas Chancalay.
Austin’s rebuild under new sporting director Rodolfo Borrell is well underway, with a summer trade of Diego Fagundez and then a late-season roster update that saw nine contract options declined and a loan expire.
The Revs finished fifth in the East and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Philadelphia Union. Austin finished 12th in the West and missed the playoffs.
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