Player Bio: Shalrie Joseph

By Sean Donahue

FOXBORO, MA. - When the New England Revolution drafted Shalrie Joseph in 2002 they were hoping for a solid back-up defender. Joseph has proven himself much more than that. After being drafted in the second round (14th overall) by the Revs, Joseph trained in Italy and Germany. Joseph says his experiences in Europe “definitely helped me grow. It was really good for me. It helped me get the experience I needed for trying the MLS.” The 6’-3”, 180 pound Brooklyn native then came back to America to play for the New York Freedoms of the D-3 Pro League before signing with the Revs in 2003 preseason. Whether these experiences made him a much better player than when he was drafted in 2002 or not, Joseph quickly earned himself a starting spot and has become a huge part of the Revs success.

Seventeen years after his birth on May 24, 1978 in Saint George, Grenada, Joseph and his mother moved to Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Joseph had lost his father, who died of lung disease, at the age of 12. Growing up in Brooklyn, he witnessed a man stabbed just outside his school. Trying to survive, Joseph could not focus on soccer. Dave Masur, who had just become the head coach at St. John’s Jr. College, had encouraged him to continue his education and soccer when Joseph was thinking of dropping out. He was planning on joining a small club team right out of high school, until he realized the pay wasn’t enough. Joseph instead enrolled in Saint John’s Jr. College. Joseph quickly became a fixture on the school’s new soccer program and saw some time with the Grenada national team.

Joseph signed with the Revs December 3rd, 2002 expecting to be a back-up defender. When Daniel Hernandez fell out of favor with coach Steve Nicol, he got his shot as a central midfielder. Joseph played a great first game and has kept the starting spot ever since. Shalrie has established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the league, shutting down the league’s top forwards. “Adjusting to Steve Nicol’s style of play was very easy”, Joseph said. “He’s a player’s coach. He’ll tell you what he wants. He doesn’t hammer you at all you just go out there and play.” Shalrie’s physical style of play and his love of Grenada’s “bully fried bully beef” earned him the nickname “Bully”.

Joseph is hoping for the Grenada National team “to make it to the World Cup and [get] a little exposure for people to know about Grenada.” For now his goal is “just putting Grenada on the map.” Joseph and the Revs will be hoping they can build on their success in 2003 with a Championship in 2004.