The New England Revolution look to rebound from a disappointing season when they open against host Charlotte FC on Saturday.
The Revolution took a step back last year by going 10-12-12 and missing the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. New England, which finished first in the Eastern Conference standings with a league-record 73 points in 2021, is coming off a season in which it had its most losses since dropping 13 games in 2018.
“We want to get back to where we were in 2021, so each and every day we are working hard, continuing to make the team better and challenge each other in practice,” New England defender DeJuan Jones said. “We have a lot of great additions to the team this year, so everyone’s fighting for positions, so it’s been really good this year.”
Charlotte FC finished its inaugural season level with New England with 42 points — six behind the final playoff spot. Charlotte FC went 13-18-3, which included a 3-1 win over visiting New England on March 19 and a 2-1 loss at the Revolution on April 16.
Charlotte FC’s preseason started tragically when 25-year-old defender Anton Walkes was killed in a boating accident near Miami’s Marine Stadium in Florida in January.
The Crown return several key players, including Karol Swiderski, who scored a team-high 10 of Charlotte FC’s 44 goals and added six assists. Daniel Rios added seven goals to go with two assists. Andre Shinyashiki had six goals and an assist, but no other teammate had more than three goals.
Charlotte FC’s attack should be bolstered by Argentine forward Enzo “The Tank” Copetti, who was one of the top scorers in Argentina’s top league last season. Midfielder Ashley Westwood arrives after spending the past six seasons with Burnley in England’s Premier League, while defender Bill Tuiloma logged 107 games for the Portland Timbers the past six seasons.
“We were right there last season — we missed (the playoffs) by a few points,” said forward McKinze Gaines, who had a goal and four assists last season.
“I think the acquisitions of Ashley and Enzo are going to be huge for us. They bring big bits of experience in some pretty key areas, but I also think that with us being able to build on what we did last year and not having to learn an entirely new game model and get to know 20-odd new players, that we’re going to be at a much better position this season than we were last season.”
The Crown also has high expectations for Hamady Diop, a defender from Clemson who was taken with the first pick of the SuperDraft.
New England will look vastly different this year. The team had numerous players transfer, get waived or retire since last season, and are welcoming an array of newcomers, including defender Dave Romney from Nashville SC, midfielder Latif Blessing from LAFC and forward Bobby Wood from Real Salt Lake.
Midfielder Joshua Bolma, who was taken fourth overall in the SuperDraft, and 18-year-old midfielder Jack Panayotou was signed to a Homegrown Player contract.
Gustavo Bou (team-high eight goals, two assists), Carles Gil (seven goals, 14 assists) and Tommy McNamara (four goals, five assists) should lead the attack.
The Revolution allowed 50 goals last season. But their defense should be improved with the return of standout goalie Djordje Petrovic, who finished second in MLS Goalkeeper of the Year voting last year despite playing in just 21 games.
–Field Level Media
