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Brad Friedel explains the absence of his former captain

Related Topics: Brad Friedel, Jay Heaps, Existence

Claude Dielna has been absent from the game day 18 for two straight weeks. If the former captain and starter wants to get back into contention, he’s going to have to work hard on the training ground.

Dielna, 30, was acquired by the New England Revolution in July 2017 and soon became a regular for Jay Heaps. A regime change brought similar expectations, as Dielna continued to be a first-choice center back, while also receiving the captain’s armband.

By May, things had changed. Dielna was now fighting for minutes to play on the left side, competing against Gabriel Somi and Brandon Bye.