Jeff Lemiuex  has an interesting piece up today on the Official New England Revolution Blog regarding 10 key questions that the Revs will be trying to answer during their pre-season tour of North Carolina which ends in Cary on March 20th against the RailHawks.  In particular, Jeff asks:

“Will the un-signed rookies earn roster spots? Last year, it was in North Carolina that (Durham native) Darrius Barnes cemented his place on the Revolution’s roster with steady performances in training and preseason matches, and a couple of young players will be looking to do the same in the next two weeks. While No. 9 overall pick (Cary native) Zack Schilawski was signed early in preseason, both Zak Boggs and Seth Sinovic are still trying to prove themselves worthy of a roster spot. They’ve been in camp for more than a month and have both made an impression, but we should know more about their futures with the club in the next couple of weeks, highlighted by the upcoming trip to N.C.”

I remember speaking to Triangle FC, Duke, and RailHawks U23 alum Barnes after last year’s exhibition match against the RailHawks.  At the time, he was unsigned and still didn’t have his own customized team jersey.  Post-match, I teasingly chastised him for playing so well against the RailHawks, but told him that I thought he had earned himself his name on the back of that shirt.

Schilawski, who also played many games at WakeMed Soccer Park as part of CASL, Wake Forest, and the RailHawks U23s will also be looking to impress during his rookie pre-season.  Let’s hope he does well, but doesn’t do too well against our RailHawks and we can replicate last year’s victory in our opening MLS exhibition.