The New England Revolution's Shalrie Joseph never got that contract he wanted, and now the holding midfielder says his only recourse is to strike. "Sooner or later, I am going to have to make a decision whether to continue playing or to hold out," Joseph told Soccer New England. "I hope it doesn't come to that point but I've got to do something that is going to help me, basically, push them to make a decision."
Joseph's current contract, which expires at the end of the 2008 season, pays an annual salary worth $167,500 per year. Agent Ron Waxman said the player sought a new contract that would pay a guaranteed salary of $300,000 for two years, but New England's offer came up $10,000 short, and failed to meet his demands for potential bonuses. The disagreement caused Joseph to request a trade in March.
Revolution Director of Soccer, Michael Burns, had little to say in light of Joesph's comments. "If that is, in fact, what he said, we obviously hope that is not the case and that, if it comes to that, he would reconsider his position." Although he did reiterate the club's desire to keep the player. Revs coach Steve Nicol was adamant that he wants Joseph stay, though he understood "it is a difficult situation for him."
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