After winning Major League Soccer’s Supporters’ Shield for the best regular-season record last year, the New England Revolution fell short in the playoffs.
So coach Bruce Arena has brought in some familiar faces — a trio of current or former U.S. internationals — to help push his team to greater heights.
The revamped Revolution will open their season Saturday at Portland, which reached the MLS Cup last season before losing to New York City FC on penalty kicks.
Midfielder Sebastian Lletget and defender Omar Gonzalez previously played for Arena with the Los Angeles Galaxy, and forward Jozy Altidore did so with the national team. Now all three are in New England.
“I’m happy we are improving the program,” Arena said in a local TV interview. “That was the goal coming here, and we have made improvements.”
The Revolution (22-5-7 in 2021) set an MLS record with 73 points and scored a league-high 65 goals last season, seven more than any other team, but lost to New York City FC in their playoff opener after a three-week break.
“It’s history now and every year is different. We don’t even discuss it,” Arena said. “But if you’re a real competitor, it motivates you for sure.”
The Revs lost midfielder Tajon Buchanan to Club Brugge in Belgium. Goalkeeper Matt Turner will be available for the first three months of the MLS season before his transfer to Arsenal of the English Premier League this summer.
The Timbers were just 17-13-4 in the regular season last year, finishing fourth in the Western Conference, but got hot during the playoffs. They reached the MLS Cup before the loss to NYCFC.
The Timbers lost mainstay Diego Valeri, who returned to his native Argentina, but re-signed designated player Sebastian Blanco and added 19-year-old midfielder David Ayala. Goalkeeper Steve Clark signed with Houston as a free agent, leaving the Timbers’ net to Aljaz Ivacic.
“When you start a season again, in your home, you renew the future,” Blanco said. “You renew the goals.”
–Field Level Media
