FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) – New England Revolution coach Steve Nicol on Friday said midfielder Shalrie Joseph was ready to play in their home opener against Toronto FC.

The Revolution play Toronto on Saturday night, following the U.S. women’s national team friendly against Mexico.

Joseph missed the season opener last Saturday, when the Revs lost 1-0 at Chicago, because of a right calf strain.

The Grenada international requested a trade before the season because of stalled contract talks.

“Shalrie isn’t happy with what was being offered,” Nicol said.

“He was talking a bit about wanting to be traded. I’m not willing to trade him.”

Nicol said Joseph, who is under contract for two more years, has been “giving 100 percent every day” in training.

“It shows the loyalty he has to his teammates as well. He deserves a pat on the back for that,” Nicol said.

Revolution sign college star Byrne

The New England Revolution has signed Bryan Byrne, a midfielder who helped lead California-Santa Barbara to a 2006 NCAA championship, the team announced Friday.

Byrne, a native of Kilkenny, Ireland, posted 11 goals and 19 assists over a four-year college career with the Gauchos.

The team did release details of his contract.Byrne will occupy one of the Revolution’s four senior international roster spots, contingent on approval of his work visa application. He will not play Saturday versus Toronto FC.

“He had tremendous success at the collegiate level at UCSB and we expect that he’ll have continued success as a member of the Revolution,” Director of Soccer Michael Burns said in a statement.

The Revolution drafted Byrne with the 38th pick in the third round of this year’s Major League Soccer draft.

The team also placed defenseman Tony Lochhead on waivers.