TUCSON, Ariz. – The New England Revolution today acquired forward Teal Bunbury (Twitter: @Tealbunb) from Sporting Kansas City via trade. In exchange, the Revs have sent their natural first-round draft pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft and allocation money to Sporting KC. Bunbury is expected to join the Revolution in Tucson later this week.
Bunbury, 23, is entering his fifth MLS season after Sporting KC drafted him fourth overall in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. In 89 career appearances in Kansas City, Bunbury made 48 starts while scoring 19 goals and adding seven assists.
“We’ve been very open about our desire to add some additional attacking players to our roster ahead of the season and we believe Teal is a player who can make the sort of impact we need,” New England general manager Michael Burns said. “He’s a talented, young player who can add a dynamic element to our system, and we’re looking forward to getting him into camp and integrated into our group as soon as possible.”
Following a five-goal, two-assist rookie campaign in 2010, Bunbury scored a career-high nine goals and added a career-best three assists in 2011 while tying for the team lead in goals.
After his breakout sophomore campaign, Bunbury saw limited MLS action in 2012 and 2013 because of international call-ups and injury. He spent much of the early spring 2012 with the U.S. Under-23 (Olympic) team ahead of and during Olympic qualifying, and then suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Sporting KC’s game on Aug. 26, 2012. He later returned to the field on June 12, 2013 in a U.S. Open Cup match, 10 months after the injury. Before tearing his ACL in a match against New York, Bunbury made 22 appearances, scored five goals and added one assist in 2012. After returning from the injury, he collected one assist in 12 appearances last year.
With Sporting KC, Bunbury won the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and MLS Cup 2013.
Born in Canada, Bunbury is a dual U.S. and Canadian citizen. He played on Canada’s Under-17 and Under-20 teams before declaring for the United States’ senior national team. He has four caps for the U.S., making his full international debut against South Africa on Nov. 17, 2010 under former head coach Bob Bradley. He later scored his first senior international goal on Jan. 22, 2011, notching the Americans’ only goal in a 1-1 draw against Chile. His first international assist came in his last appearance on Jan. 25, 2012, against Panama. Bunbury also saw time with the U.S. Under-23 (Olympic) team during qualifying for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Under current U.S. National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, Bunbury has been called into three training camps: September 2011, October 2011 and January 2012.
Bunbury played two seasons at college powerhouse Akron, helping the Zips to the 2009 College Cup championship match and winning the Hermann Trophy as the nation’s top collegiate player that same year. In 48 appearances spanning two seasons at Akron, Bunbury scored 23 goals and added eight assists, including a 17-goal campaign in 2009.
One of Major League Soccer’s first-ever second-generation players, Bunbury’s father – Alex – is a former member of the Canadian National Team (1986-1997) and the Kansas City Wizards (1999-2000, now Sporting KC).
Season tickets for the 2014 New England Revolution season are on sale and start at $342 for 18-game packages. Four- and six-game plans are also available. Call 1-877-GET-REVS or visit revolutionsoccer.net for more information about these plans or any other ticket option.
TEAL BUNBURY
Pronunciation: TEEL BUN-burr-ree
Jersey Number: TBA
Position: Forward
Height: 6-2
Weight: 185 lbs.
D.O.B.: February 27, 1990 (Hamilton, Ontario)
Hometown: Prior Lake, Minn.
College: Akron
Last Club: Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Status: Senior roster
How Acquired: Acquired via trade with Sporting Kansas City on Feb. 19, 2014, in exchange for New England’s natural first-round pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft and allocation money
