Revolution trade left back DeJuan Jones to Columbus Crew

Jones departs for the defending MLS Cup champions while New England attains improved salary cap flexibility ahead of possible future additions.

Revolution left back DeJuan Jones battling against Atlanta United's Saba Lobjanidze during an MLS game in March. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

By Hayden Bird

July 31, 2024

One of the longest tenured members of the Revolution has departed New England as part of a trade that could help bolster an Eastern Conference contender and give his soon-to-be former club a little more salary cap flexibility.

The Revolution traded left back DeJuan Jones to the Columbus Crew in exchange for wingback Will Sands and up to $600,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM), a source confirmed to Boston.com (the move was later officially announced by the club). The deal was originally reported by Caleb Pongratz of Prost Soccer and Seth Macomber of The Blazing Musket.

Jones, 27, is the third longest-tenured member of the current Revolution roster, trailing only fellow defenders Andrew Farrell and Brandon Bye. He’s made 142 appearances for New England since being a 2019 first-round pick by the club. Originally a right-sided attacker in college, Jones was converted to left back at the MLS level. He acclimated quickly, and has become one of the more dynamic players at his position in the league, earning eight caps with the U.S. national team.

Sands, 24, was a regular starter for the Crew at the beginning of the 2023 season prior to suffering a torn left ACL. Upon returning to the field in 2024, his usage has been limited (making his most recent start for Columbus back in May). He was originally given his MLS debut with the Crew in 2022 by Caleb Porter, now the head coach in New England.

The Revolution (7-2-14) currently reside at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, while the Crew (12-7-4) sit third. The deal represents a chance for Columbus, the defending MLS Cup champions, to add a quality player to an already talented lineup ahead of another playoff run.

From New England’s perspective, the deal offers a chance to gain more salary cap space for the likelihood of future moves prior to the close of the midseason transfer window on Aug. 14. The GAM acquired in the deal will offer the Revolution’s front office a necessary level of flexibility to potentially make other additions.

The decision to trade Jones represents an about-face for a team that had only just agreed to a new four-year contract in January. Porter described Jones following the new deal as someone possessing the “ideal profile” of an outside back in his system.

One of the likely reasons why Jones was suddenly seen as a candidate to be traded has been the recent emergence of 16-year-old Peyton Miller from the Revolution academy. The Connecticut native has impressed at left back with recent performances while Jones was out injured, drawing praise from Porter.

Now, the Revolution will hope to capitalize on the cap flexibility that the deal should bring. New England, after suffering the worst start to a season in club history, went on a four-game winning streak in June to propel itself back into the playoff race.

Yet injuries to all three Designated Players (along with a plethora of other important contributors, including Jones) derailed the turnaround. After winning four out of five between June 1 and July 3, the Revolution are now winless in the last four MLS games (0-1-3). New England did manage a 1-0 win on Saturday in the Leagues Cup opener against Liga MX side Mazatlán FC, and host Nashville SC in the second group stage game at Gillette Stadium on Aug. 6.