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NORFOLK - Oh sure, Steve Ralston, Taylor Twellman, Matt Reis and Shalrie Joseph will be in uniform when the Major League Soccer season commences for the New England Revolution.

But, for the first time in many a soccer sphere, the Revolution will be a team in transition, especially on the defensive back line.

"Over the last three years, prior to this one, it was something like 15 of the 18 players on our senior roster were returning, which is unusual in itself," said Mike Burns, the Revolution's Director of Soccer.

Scratch defender James Riley, taken in the MLS Expansion Draft by Sacramento. Scratch defender Avery John, seeking employment on another continent.

Scratch forward Patrick Noonan, who signed a three-year $400,000 pact with Norway's Aalesund Club. Scratch midfielder Andy Dorman, who also fled to Europe with St. Mirren. Scratch midfielder Daniel Hernandez, worn down by wounded knees. Scratch Jose Cancela, who went to Toronto in the MLS Expansion Draft last year. And scratch all of the "international" players brought in - Tony Lochhead, Jose Manuel Abundis, Richie Baker and Steve Howey.

"Change is good, it can be," added Burns, who serves as the man-in-the-middle, between Revolution coach Steve Nicol, club president Sunil Gulati and MLS player development. The Revolution mapped plans for the 2008 season today with a team meeting and physical examinations, followed by the first workout of the season Wednesday morning at the ForeKicks Sports Complex in Norfolk.

Most of the team is expected for Wednesday's session, excluding Adam Cristman (with the U.S. Under-23 Team), defender Michael Parkhurst and Twellman (with the U.S. Men's National Team Camp) and Abdoulie Mansally and Sainey Nyassi (awaiting visa clearance).

There are roster spots to be won, starting positions to be taken.

"Having as many veteran players coming back as we did the previous three years, that won't be the case this year," said Burns. "A big part of our nucleus is back, which we feel good about."

Veteran-midfielder Joe Franchino will be returning for his 11th season, having missed most of 2007 due to ankle surgery and veteran defender Jay Heaps will be returning for his 10th MLS season, having started all 28 matches that he played in in 2007, the Revolution's all-time leader in appearance and starting assignments.

The addition of both U.S. National team veteran Chris Albright (obtained in a preseason trade from Los Angeles) and first round draft pick Rob Valentino, out of the University of San Francisco, could mean that Parkhurst will be flanked by two new partners in Nicol's customary three-man defensive backline.

"We're not unhappy with who we've lost or who we've brought in," added Burns. "It's part of the game, that's how the line of work goes. We're disappointed that we lost James Riley and we did have some initial talks with John."

Also expected to be on board are four players taken in the MLS Supplemental Draft - forward Kheli Dube out of Coastal Carolina, midfielder Chris Tierney from Virginia, midfielder Kyle Altman from Trinity (Texas) and forward Saidi Isaac from Winthrop in the draft. Dube is a former member of Zimbabwe's under-23, 20 and 17 national teams, the Big South Conference Player of the Year having 11 goals and five assists during his senior season. Tierney has local ties, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound midfielder is from Wellesley and attend the Noble and Greenough School.

The Revolution officially kick off the 2008 season March 29 at Gillette Stadium in a rematch of the previous two MLS Cup championship matches with the Houston Dynamo, a match which has significant local interest in that Attleboro resident Geoff Cameron was the Dynamo's top draft pick. From afar, Burns is like Revolution fans, watching and waiting to see what tinkering and teaching that Nicol can impose upon New England's starting side in two months, who will fill out the senior roster, who will compose the "reserve" squad.

"We know that we need to replace some guys," said Burns. "We're trying to field the best team that we can."