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Another of RSL’s journeyman signings, there was some excitement around Shawn Barry coming into the 2018 season.
Would he be the defender to challenge for starting spots and push the defense to be stronger? Would he bring out the best in the younger guys? He can play center or outside back, he has European experience, and he gets regular call-ups for Puerto Rico. He’s tall and strong.
It just wasn’t to be. After starting the first two games of the season, he was relegated to the bench where he rode out the majority of the season. He played in four matches: started three, subbed in for one; a total of 204 minutes. He was on the bench for the other thirty games.
Defenders don’t sub often. It’s usually due to injury when they do. It’s not much of a reflection that he rode the bench—he was ready for his opportunity to come in; however, what is reflective is that of the matches he started, he only went the full ninety in one match.
His option was declined, so he may or may not wind up playing for RSL again next season. According to the MLS Players’ Union, he was on a base salary of $131,250. It’s safe to say he underperformed based on salary, but he was also in the 18 for 12 matches this season, so he might still have a place in the organization, just at a reduced budget. In a salary-cap league, every bit helps. Will another club pick him up at $131k or will we see his contract renegotiated with RSL? Does he leave the league entirely? It’s up in the air right now for Barry.