This MLS season drew to a close with a dramatic cup final encounter, LAFC winning it for the first time. Whereas it seemed that the action had concluded for a while, with the Qatar World Cup as the next priority, the expansion draft beckoned. St Louis City SC are the newest team in the league and they came calling in New England, defender Jon Bell being the man in question.
Defender Jon Bell is on the Move
The Revolution Parting Ways with Defender Jon Bell
New England Revolution defender Jon Bell is moving slightly further away from where he grew up in Rockville, Maryland. St Louis is his destination as he prepares to join the new MLS franchise there, the 29th team in the league.
Bell first made the move to Foxborough in 2020 where he started out as a Revs II player. He was then slowly developed by Bruce Arena and subsequently progressed into a first-team man. There were a few centre-backs used last term and due to injuries and poor form, Bell was used more than many expected.
New England❤️💙 Thank you for everything🤲🏾💯 https://t.co/t9iTTN3Uia
— Jon Bell🖖🏾 (@astrobell23) November 12, 2022
In this expansion draft, the Revs were allowed to protect 12 players, including the likes of Brandon Bye, Tommy McNamara and Matt Polster. Defender Jon Bell is one of those who was on the table for St Louis to bring in and that they did. The last time that New England lost a player in an expansion draft was Jalil Anibaba to Nashville SC, although he is now playing over in Columbus.
The 25-year-old wasn’t the only lucrative piece left unprotected. Gustavo Bou, Ema Boateng and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi were also available, Boateng being someone who is on their way out of the club anyway. Back to Bell and the Revs receive $50k in GAM for his sale/trade.
Read More: Jon Bell Exclusive Interview: Being a Liverpool fan, playing for the Revolution and more
All About the Newest MLS Side
Defender Jon Bell leaves Gillette Stadium as a player much-loved by the fans and he of course isn’t the only new face in Missouri. There were four others picked up in the draft, Nicholas Gioacchini, Indiana Vassilev, John Nelson and Jake LaCava. LaCava came in from the Dynamo and was then traded onto Miami for $150k.
On the topic of Phil Neville’s Inter Miami and that is where Vassilev came from. The young American is on loan in Major League Soccer from Aston Villa and so is clearly a great pick-up. Meanwhile, Bell has MLS experience and Nicholas Gioacchini has eight USMNT caps- he returned to the States, in particular Orlando, after a stint in France.
Bell had some shaky moments in the season gone for the Revs but in all fairness, who didn’t? He was a valuable player and a good locker-room guy as well. Attentions can now turn to a replacement with New England surely needing to bring in another centre-half in his place.
