New England Revolution midseason recap and player ratings

FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution have reached the midway point of the 2023 MLS Season with a record of 7W-6D-3L, 27 points, and hold the position of 6th place across Major League Soccer (4th in Eastern Conference).

With 17 games to go until the start of the MLS Cup Playoffs, it’s important to recap the good, the bad, and the ugly of the rollercoaster of a season that New England has endured so far.

Wins: 8

Charlotte FC, Houston Dynamo FC, Nashville SC, DC United, CF Montréal, Sporting Kansas City, Hartford Athletic (US Open Cup), Toronto FC.

The Revolution’s first 17 games came with a couple easy victories against weaker MLS sides and started the season for the first time in the 28-year history with two consecutive victories along with beginning the league campaign with back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 2006. The key wins that stand out the most are Nashville SC and Toronto FC, as the team in 2021 were 0-1-1 versus Nashville SC and last season were 0-2-0 versus Toronto FC. The remaining victories came easy as the team has 5 clean sheet matches out of their 8 total wins.

Losses: 4

LAFC, Pittsburgh Riverhounds (US Open Cup), Inter Miami CF, Philadelphia Union.

The Revolution’s first loss of the season on March 12th was a gut punch. Travelling to the defending MLS Cup Champions and not just losing 4-0 but being completely dominated on the field. Offensively, the team only managed 4 shots to LAFC’s 18 and did not look like a squad that had just started the season 2-0-0. Thankfully, the Revolution picked up their heads and managed to go roughly two months without losing another game. When May 9th came around, the Revolution played a heavily rotated squad versus the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, and they did not come to play. It was clear and obvious that the team did not deserve to advance in the US Open Cup, and their run ending in the round of 32. Following their loss versus Pittsburgh, the team lost their next two matches (both on the road) versus a struggling Inter Miami side and a strong Philadelphia Union side.

Draws: 6

NYCFC, Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati, Chicago Fire, Atlanta United, NYCFC.

In the draw department, the Revolution have had great results against rivals NYCFC and managed to sneak away with a point versus Supporter Shield leaders FC Cincinnati. Along with these results, the team had to fight for two comebacks versus Chicago Fire (down 2-0 in 22nd minute) and Atlanta United (blew 2-0 lead, scored tying goal in 90+3rd minute). Their worst draw came on April 15th versus the Columbus Crew. The squad was leading 1-0 in the 65th minute when Dylan Borrero received a red card and the squad had to play the remainder of the match down to 10 men. Unfortunately, the squad gave up a 90+8th minute tying goal to drop points on the road versus Columbus. A frustrating result, but thankfully, the squad walked away with points.

It’s important to note the overall status of results, but to not shy away from individual player grades. Here is how I would grade each individual player on the New England Revolution’s start to the 2023 season.

Individual Player Grades:

#2 – Dave Romney – A

The signing of Dave Romney was an exciting one. Following his acquisition in a trade for $525,000 in GAM reported by myself, Seth Macomber & Tom Bogert, the Revolution added depth in a position that struggled in 2022. Romney impressed in preseason and won the starting job, adding more to his iron man status as the player played 31 matches last season allowing just 41 total goals with Nashville in 2022. Anything lower than an A rating is disrespectful in my book.

6.9 average match rating, 1440 Minutes played, 1 assist. 1 shot on target with 84% pass accuracy, 50% on tackles won, 79 clearances along with 19 interceptions. Currently has 0 errors leading to goals.

#3 – Omar Gonzalez – C

A player that fans have had their woes with. Omar played in 17 matches last season, 0 of them leading to clean sheets and managed to be at fault for 6 goals last season. In 2023, he has only appeared in 3 matches this season (1 in MLS), he has worn the captain’s armband twice and has a 1W-1L-1D record. Not entirely bad but not a major improvement. I’d argue a C rating would be fine for Omar as he hasn’t been a key reason that we have dropped points this season and hasn’t been poor in the backline.

5.8 average match rating, 96 Minutes played. 83% pass accuracy, 100% on tackles won, 2 clearances along with 1 interception. Currently has 0 errors leading to goals.

#4 – Henry Kessler – B+ / A-

King Kessler started off this season on a completely different foot from last season. On paper, this is his best start to a season since he joined Major League Soccer and was a key component and contributor for the Revolution this season. Unfortunately, Kessler obtained an injury in the match versus CF Montréal on April 8th and was forced into surgery to repair his right hamstring. He is set to return in late August or early September. It would be fair to rank Kessler with a B plus rating.

7.2 average match rating, 585 Minutes played, 1 goal. 1 shot on target with 88% pass accuracy, 86% on tackles won, 23 clearances along with 3 interceptions. Currently has 0 errors leading to goals. (2 Team of the Matchday appearances.)

#6 – Christian Makoun – B

Makoun is definitely a strange player to grade for this Revolution side. With 6 matches played this season, the player has been in three different positions. With time as a center back, left back, and center defensive midfielder, Makoun has done a good job. Defensively he might need a little bit of work, but the 23-year-old will continue to learn as his career progresses. Christian deserves a B rating. He’s done his job when called on and has been all over the place. The definition of a utility guy.

6.8 average match rating, 385 Minutes played, 1 assist. 2 shots on target with 80% pass accuracy, 42% on tackles won, 9 clearances along with 6 interceptions. Currently has 0 errors leading to goals.

#7 – Gustavo Bou – B-

La Pantera has been plagued with injuries this entire season with an upper leg injury. When he has appeared for the squad, he has scored twice and assisted once, and has shown glimpses of himself from years past. Though age is catching up with the forward whose contract is set to expire in December, he has not been one of the strikers who has struggled this season and has continued to lead by example. Gustavo deserves a B- rating as he has contributed for the squad when on the pitch but needs to find consistency as he returns to the lineup.

7.0 average match rating, 451 Minutes played, 2 goals with 1 assist. 7 shots on target with 44% accuracy. He has a 68% pass accuracy, with 6 chances created and 2 big chances missed along with 56% dribbles completed. He has 29% cross accuracy. Defensively, he is 40% on tackles won and has 1 clearance along with 4 interceptions. (1 Team of the Matchday appearances.)

He has missed 10 games due to injury.

#8 – Matt Polster – B+ / A-

To casual fans, Polster isn’t someone you’d pay much attention to, but to the ones that watch weekly or pay close attention to the little things, Polster is one of the most important players on the field week in and week out. The midfielder is all over the field and when he “goes missing” it’s very visible in both how the team performs. Polster has been a fantastic addition to the squad since joining the club in 2020 and should receive more praise. A solid B+ / A- rating is fair for Polster.

7.1 average match rating, 1331 Minutes played. 0 goals and 1 assist. 2 total shots on target with 89% pass accuracy, 70% on successful dribbles, and 10 chances created. Defensively he is 65% on tackles won, 20 clearances along with 19 interceptions. 0 errors leading to goals.

#9 – Giacomo Vrioni – D

The 24-year-old designated player has continued to struggle in Major League Soccer since his arrival in mid 2022. With 2023 destined to be his breakout season, Vrioni has struggled to make the starting XI and has struggled to appear in matches. With just 3 starts across his 9 appearances, the player has worked overtime at training sessions with Richie Williams and Kevin Hitchcock in order to improve his game altogether. With 3 goals from a player that came from the Austrian Bundesliga scoring 21 just two seasons ago, it would be unfair to rate the striker higher than a D.

6.5 average match rating, 516Minutes played, 3 goals with 0 assists. 10 shots on target with 71% accuracy. He has a 67% pass accuracy, with 2 chances created and 4 big chances missed along with 50% dribbles completed. Defensively, he is 100% on tackles won and has 2 clearances. (1 Team of the Matchday appearances.)

#10 – Carles Gil – A+

The 2021 MLS Most Valuable Player has continued to show that he is a major contributor to this team. He leads the team in both goals and assists with 5 a piece. Along with this, he continues to be one of the most fouled players across the league and has shown that when he is on the pitch, he makes a huge difference. Without Capi on the field, i’d be shocked if this team has more than 3 wins. Anything below an A+ rating is wrong.

7.9 average match rating, 1089 Minutes played. 5 goals and 5 assists. 13 total shots on target with 85% pass accuracy, 54% on successful dribbles, 27% on accurate crosses and 39 chances created. Defensively he is 88% on tackles won, 3 clearances along with 10 interceptions. 0 errors leading to goals. (3 Team of the Matchday appearances, 1 Player of the Matchday)

He has missed 2 games due to injury.

#11 – Dylan Borrero – A-

The Tajon Buchanan replacement came alive at the beginning of the 2023 season. With head coach Bruce Arena complimenting his pace and technical play, it was time for the breakout youngster to shine for the 2023 season. Starting off with 2 goals and 1 assist, disaster struck for the 21-year-old when he went down in a heap during the Revolution’s April 29th contest versus FC Cincinnati. Unfortunately, the midfielder tore his Right ACL and underwent season-ending surgery on May 4th. He will miss the next 12-14 months. Borrero started the season correctly and showed he would’ve been a star on this roster. An A- rating would fit his performance for the 8 matches he appeared in. Hopefully the healing process goes the correct way, and he can return to the field in no time.

7.1 average match rating, 516 Minutes played, 2 goals with 1 assist. 7 shots on target with 58% accuracy. He has a 78% pass accuracy, with 7 chances created and 1 big chance missed along with 58% dribbles completed. Defensively, he is 57% on tackles won and has 1 clearance along with 3 interceptions. (1 Team of the Matchday appearance.)

#12 – Justin Rennicks – D

The 2019 homegrown player has made 11 appearances this season and has contributed with 1 goal in a US Open Cup contest. For a player that has only his 3rd goal as a forward in 5 seasons with the Revolution, it would be wrong to grade him with anything higher than a D rating.

With first team: 6.2 average match rating, 274 Minutes played. 1 goal and 0 assists. 1 total shots on target with 77% pass accuracy, 40% on successful dribbles, and 2 chances created. Defensively he is 50% on tackles won, 4 clearances along with 1 interception. 0 errors leading to goals.

#13 – Lucas Maciel – DNP/OUT – 

Zero games played this season. (Recovering from Achillies surgery in October of 2022 – set to return in early July.

#14 – Jozy Altidore – F

This former United States international has had a lot of down moments with this squad, and the fanbase is quick to notice any mistake that the forward makes. With 6 big chances missed in 2023 and scoring 1 goal (that he fanned on while shooting), Altidore is an F rating. The forward, who is under contract until December of 2024, is on a 1,650,000 MAX TAM salary deal, with Toronto FC paying the remaining $1,289,963. The hope is that Jozy’s performances improve and that there aren’t any more fights/altercations with Supporters this season.

6.0 average match rating, 195 Minutes played, 1 goal with 1 assist. 2 shots on target with 67% accuracy and has 6 big chances missed. He has a 76% pass accuracy, with 0 chances created.

#15 – Brandon Bye – B+ / A-

Wingback Brandon Bye has been a threat both offensively and defensively since joining the Revolution in 2018. With 8 goals and 14 assists, the defender has performed better than most strikers that have come through the Revolution ranks. He has been a great contributor to the backline and continues to show why he has been a starter since he got here. Unfortunately, Bye went down with a right shoulder injury in the last minute of the Revolution’s match versus Inter Miami CF on May 13th and is set to be sidelined until July. The player no doubt deserves a B+ / A- rating for his season so far.

7.3 average match rating, 1170 Minutes played, 1 goal with 1 assist. 1 shot on target with 72% pass accuracy, 56% on tackles won, 39 clearances along with 19 interceptions. Currently has 0 errors leading to goals. (1 Team of the Matchday appearance.)

Has missed 4 matches due to injury.

#16 – Joshua Bolma – (First Team C-) (Second Team B)

The 4th overall pick in the 2023 MLS Super Draft has appeared in just 2 first team matches. The player has done well when called on with just one key error versus the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. For the Revs II, the player has made 8 appearances and has been a key contributor. With no goals and no assists, the player has been a key utility player by playing both on the wings, in the backline, and in the midfield. He continues to be a player to watch for the future. The rating of a C- would make the most sense for Bolma with the first team, as he was directly at fault for the goal v Pittsburgh. For the second team, Bolma deserves a B rating for his contributions.

With the first team: 7.2 average match rating, 133 Minutes played. 90% pass accuracy, 50% on successful dribbles, and 2 chances created. Defensively he is 40% on tackles won, 5 clearances along with 2 interceptions. 1 error leading to goals.

With the second team: 6.9 average match rating, 464 minutes played. 2 shots on target 86% pass accuracy, 44% on successful dribbles and 6 chances created. Defensively he is 51% on tackles won with 14 interceptions.

#17 – Bobby Wood – A+

This former United States international has been the shock of the season so far with this Revolution side. For the first time since 2016-17, Bobby Wood has scored more than 5 goals in a single season. The team acquired Wood this offseason in the 2023 MLS Re-Entry Draft by trading the 9th overall pick in the MLS Re-Entry Draft and $50,000 in GAM to DC United for the first overall pick and it has been the move of the season so far by Bruce Arena. If wood continues, he’ll have his first 10 goal game season since the 2016-17 season with Hamburg SV formerly of the German Bundesliga and would be directly in contention for MLS Comeback Player of the Year. He is easily an A+ player rating so far.

6.8 average match rating, 864 Minutes played, 5 goals with 3 assists. 9 shots on target with 56% accuracy. He has a 70% pass accuracy, with 7 chances created and 4 big chances missed along with 47% dribbles completed. Defensively, he is 33% on tackles won and has 5 clearances along with 1 interception.

#18 – Emmanuel Boateng – A

For only $95,784 a year, Emmanuel Boateng is an A rating alone. But if you look at his contributions, his A ranking makes a lot of sense. In 14 games, Boateng has 1 goal and 3 assists and has been a key contributor coming into the field starting as Dylan Borrero’s substitute and now being the starter following his injury. He has used the term “role player” to a new level, and likely would have started at a plethora of other MLS clubs if they came calling for his number, but the player regardless of the money wanted New England, and fans can be thankful f0r that.

7.0 average match rating, 715 Minutes played, 1 goal with 3 assists. 3 shots on target with 60% accuracy. He has a 84% pass accuracy, 28% cross accuracy with 13 chances created and 1 big chance missed along with 68% dribbles completed. Defensively, he is 33% on tackles won and has 8 clearances along with 1 interception.

#19 – Latif Blessing – B+ / A-

On January 1st, 2023, Tom Bogert reported that the New England Revolution were acquiring Latif Blessing in a trade from LAFC for $400,000 GAM + $300,000 GAM in add-ons. With Blessing requesting the trade at the end of last season. With the club obtaining the player on a massive discount (due to the incident with Ismael Tajouri-Shradi according to Bruce Arena), the player has made key contributions for the club by appearing in 11 matches so far. B+ / A- rating has made the most sense for his grade as he has had good and bad performances this season but has shown flashes of brilliance.

7.0 average match rating, 754 Minutes played. 0 goals and 1 assist. 1 total shots on target with 87% pass accuracy, 63% on successful dribbles, and 12 chances created. Defensively he is 65% on tackles won, 6 clearances along with 10 interceptions. 1 error leading to a goal. (1 Team of the Matchday appearance.)

#22 – Jack Panayotou – (First Team – C) Second Team – B / B+)

The U-19 MLS Next Cup Champion and 2022 Revolution Academy Player of the Year has had an interesting start to his MLS Career. With the player making 3 appearances (all starts), he has played well, but not shown the flashes that he had at his short one season stint at Georgetown University, where the player had 7 goals and 3 assists. With his only goal and assist this year coming for the second team, the player’s first team rating of a C and second team rating of a B/B+, there should be more to watch from the player as he continues to gain experience.

With the first team: 6.1 average match rating, 204 minutes played. 79% pass accuracy, 20% on successful dribbles, 12% on accurate crosses and 3 chances created. Defensively he is 60% on tackles won, 1 clearance along with 1 interception. 0 errors leading to goals.

With the second team: 7.0 average match rating, 348 minutes played with 1 goal and 1 assist. He has 1 shot on target with 78% pass accuracy, 42% on successful dribbles, 36% on accurate crosses and 3 chances created. Defensively he is 67% on tackles won, 2 clearances along with 2 interceptions. 0 errors leading to goals.

#23 – Nacho Gil – DNP/OUT – Unrankable

Zero games played this season. – Rehabbing in Spain from a right leg injury – Expected to return in July.

#24 – DeJuan Jones – A

DeJuan Jones has shown why teams in the Bundesliga, Eredivisie, and Pro League have been monitoring his status in New England. With rumors being active since mid 2022, the defender has started the 2023 season on the right foot with 1 goal and 2 assists. If he keeps up at this rate, it will be hard for New England to say no to a high transfer fee. An A rating makes the most sense for DeJuan as fans are quick to notice if the player is not playing up to his game, with opposing fans complimenting that majority of the play runs through him.

7.3 average match rating, 1350 Minutes played, 1 goal with 2 assists. 6 shots on target with 83% pass accuracy, 53% on tackles won, 31 clearances along with 21 interceptions. Currently has 0 errors leading to goals. (1 Team of the Matchday appearance.)

2 matches missed due to injury.

#26 – Tommy McNamara – DNP/OUT – Unrankable – 

Zero games played this season. – Rehabbing from a left leg injury – Expected to return in July/August.

#29 – Noel Buck – A / A+

This 18-year-old has put himself on the map for his fantastic start to the 2023 season. With 3 MLS team of the matchday appearances and 8 young players of the matchday appearances, Noel Buck has continued to shine. By appearing in 15 of the teams 17 matches, Buck has had 2 key goals (1 game winner) and has shown why European Football is in the players future. A shocking snub from the USMNT in the U20 World Cup was a key moment in the season for Buck, who holds citizenship from England. It will be interesting to monitor both his international and club status over the next season or two if he keeps up his spectacular start to 2023. A or A+ rating, no doubt about it.

7.1 average match rating, 1156 Minutes played. 2 goals and 0 assists. 4 total shots on target with 83% pass accuracy, 81% on successful dribbles, and 8 chances created. Defensively he is 65% on tackles won, 12 clearances along with 14 interceptions. 0 errors leading to goals. (3 Team of the Matchday appearances.)

#34 – Ryan Spaulding – ON LOAN – A / A+

Starting the MLS season with the New England Revolution, defender Ryan Spaulding knew he had an uphill battle going up against Brandon Bye and DeJuan Jones for playing time. With an injury in preseason, Spaulding was sidelined to start the season. On April 21st, following a full recovery from his leg injury, Spaulding joined the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship and has taken the opportunity with full stride. In 7 matches played with the Rowdies, Spaulding has gotten 4 assists and has been mentioned in 3 team of the weeks and is currently leading votes for USL Championship player of the Month. With Bye out with an injury, its surprising the Revolution have not recalled Spaulding due to his spectacular form with the Rowdies. It will be important to monitor his status and the season progresses as these matches with the Rowdies are crucial to his development. An A or A+ rating is a great rank for the wingback out on l0an.

With the first team: Zero Games Played this season.

While on loan: 7.7 average match rating, 622 Minutes played, 0 goal with 4 assists. 1 shot on target with 13 chances created. He has 75% pass accuracy, 65% on successful dribbles and 23% on accurate crosses. Defensively, he is 78% on tackles won, 5 clearances along with 5 interceptions. Currently has 0 errors leading to goals. (Currently up for USL Championship Player of the Month, 3x USL Team of the Week, 1 player of the match)

#36 – Earl Edwards Jr. – Unrankable

With the first team: Zero Games Played this season.

With the second team: Zero Games Played this season.

#44 – Ben Sweat – B

Following his waive from Sporting Kansas City on April 5th, the Revolution picked up Ben Sweat just 13 days later. Fans were quick to notice about his release from SKC with some of their fans commenting, “he’s pure trash” and “do not put this man on the field for the sake of your club”. In his one appearance since joining the club, Sweat made his Revolution debut versus his former club and played 16 minutes. His 16-minute performance helped lead New England to their 2-1 victory over his former club. The Ben Sweat era in New England has been good so far, so a solid B rating would be sufficed for the player who has only made three appearances (two in US Open Cup) for the club.

6.6 average match rating, 149 Minutes played. Has 83% pass accuracy, 80% successful dribbles, 75% on tackles won, with 4 clearances along with 6 interceptions. Currently has 0 errors leading to goals.

#47 – Esmir Bajraktarevic – (First Team B- / B) (Second Team – A)

18-Year-Old Esmir Bajraktarević has been a great contributor this season both for the first and second teams for the New England Revolution. Starting in 4 of his 7 MLS matches, Bajraktarević has offensively done quite well, with more playing time due to the injury of Dylan Borrero. Though, he has been subbed into 3 matches and subbed out earlier than expected twice, Esmir has a lot of growing to do with the first team and has shone his experience with his time with the second team. In MLS NEXT Pro matches, Bajraktarević has 5 goals in 4 matches and was named Player of the Matchday for his comeback hat trick versus the Philadelphia Union II’s (team was down 3-1). For the season so far, Esmir deserves a B-/B rating for the first team and deserves an A rating for his contributions to the second team.

With the first team: 6.6 average match rating, 332 Minutes played. 3 total shots on target with 81% pass accuracy, 38% on successful dribbles, 25% on accurate crosses, 2 chances created with 1 big chance missed.

With the second team: 8.0 average match rating. 310 minutes played with 5 goals and 0 assists. 7 shots on target with 80% pass accuracy, and 52% on successful dribbles along with 4 chances created. (1 Player of the Matchday)

#72 – Damian Rivera – (First Team B- / B) (Second Team – A+)

With 3 games played for the first team in 2023, Homegrown player Damian Rivera has been a part of the struggling woes that fellow homegrown Justin Rennicks has faced. The player who has just 1 first team goal in four seasons has struggled, but he has performed well with the first team. Rivera, who started the first game of the season, holds 80 total minutes with 3 total appearances. He has most of his success with the second team where Rivera holds 5 goals and 3 assists in 7 matches played. The player leads the Revolution II in MLS NEXT Pro goal contributions and was named Player of the Matchday for his two goal (should have been a hattrick – 1 goal ruled an own goal) performance versus Toronto FC II. He has another two-goal performance versus FC Cincinatti and has been a major contributor for the squad. For the first team, Rivera deserves a B- / B rating, as he has shown good glimpses, but not enough to consistently receive playing time. For the first team, Rivera deserves an A+ rating, and will be a player to watch for the remainder of the MLS NEXT Pro Season.

With the first team: 6.6 average match rating, 80 Minutes played.  1 total shots on target with 60% pass accuracy, 100% on successful dribbles, and 2 chances created. Defensively he is 100% on tackles won.

With the second team: 8.0 average match rating, 521 minutes played. 5 goals and 3 assists with 8 shots on target with 1 big chance missed. He has 80% pass accuracy, 12% on accurate crosses, 63% on successful dribbles and 9 chances created. (1 Player of the Matchday)

#77 – Ben Reveno – C-

Prior to the start of the 2023 MLS season, defender Ben Reveno was loaned to Birmingham Legion FC of the USL Championship for the entirety of the season. The player who all time has made 1 first team appearance and has 20 total appearances for the Revolution II would have been fighting for playing time versus newly signed defender Santiago Suarez (17-year-old prospect set to join first team in 2024), and Victor Souza (2023 MLS SuperDraft pick). During his loan with Birmingham, Reveno has made 12 appearances for the club tally 1 assist. The player is getting valuable minutes for Birmingham, but while Reveno plays, the squad only holds a record of 6W-1D-5L with only two shutouts. Reveno will receive a C- rating for his efforts.

With the first team: Zero Games Played this season.

While on loan: 6.6 average match rating, 511 Minutes played, 0 goals and 1 assist. 0 shots on target with 3 chances created. He has 76% pass accuracy, 100% on successful dribbles. Defensively, he is 86% on tackles won, 10 clearances along with 1 interception. Currently has 0 errors leading to goals.

#88 – Andrew Farrell – C+ / B-

11-Year veteran Andrew Farrell started 2023 in a very peculiar position. The team’s iron man started the season with a leg injury and surprisingly changed from his trademark #2 to #88. A week prior to the injury of Henry Kessler, Farrell made his 2023 debut playing 1 minute versus NYCFC. The next week, Farrell entered for the injured Kessler and has been in the starting XI ever since. During this season, Farrell captained the team once and surpassed 30,000 career MLS minutes. He has had a shaky start replacing Kessler but has shown glimpses of his natural self. I’d give Farrell a C+ / B- rating so far, as the defender has 3 errors leading to goals, and had quite the interesting start to the season.

6.9 average match rating, 856 Minutes played. 85% pass accuracy, 75% on tackles won, 33 clearances along with 16 interceptions.  3 errors leading to goals.

#98 – Jacob Jackson – B

A player who has had quite the journey for his MLS career, Jacob Jackson is one player to continue to monitor for the 2023 season. The goalkeeper in 2022 had 9 appearances in MLS NEXT Pro, 5 of those matches ending in shutouts. The 2022 MLS Super Draft 24th overall pick was shining for the Revolution II before completely tearing his Right ACL in July of 2022. The player shockingly fully recovered 10 months later and has made 3 appearances for the Revolution II. The goalkeeper holds a 2W-0D-1L record with 7 saves. He will definitely be someone to watch as a potential starting goalkeeper when regular starter Đorđe Petrović goes out on international duty in two weeks. Jackson deserves a B rating so far and it will be great to monitor his progress.

With the first team: Zero Games Played this season.

With the second team: 6.7 average match rating, 270 minutes played. 7 goals conceded with 0 errors leading to goals. He holds a 2.33 Goals Against Average and 55.6% Save Percentage with 18 total saves. He currently has 1 clean sheet. He holds 68% pass accuracy with a 37% long ball success rate.

#99 – Đorđe Petrović – A +

The MVP of the season so far. Đorđe Petrović has been spectacular in his second season in New England. With 62 saves (2nd in MLS), the Serbian goalkeeper looks to add his 7th clean sheet of the season when the Revolution host Inter Miami CF this weekend (had 7 clean sheets in 21 matches last season; Team record is 13 in a single season – Matt Reis – 2007). With Petrović currently in 3rd place across the entire league in MVP predictions, he’s almost a lock for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. This summer transfer window will be one to watch as English Premier League giants Manchester United have shown interest in the player and have been monitoring him. Petrović is without any doubt an A+ rating and should be unanimous team MVP. Without Petro, this team is a bottom half team in the Eastern Conference, and probably bottom half across the entire league.

7.1 average match rating, 1440 minutes played. 20 goals conceded with 1 error leading to goals. He holds a 1.25 Goals Against Average and 75.6% Save Percentage with 62 total saves. 3 penalties faced with a 33% save rate. He currently has 6 clean sheets. He holds 62% pass accuracy with a 34% long ball success rate. (2 Team of the Matchday appearances.)

New England Revolution Team Grade: B / B+

This team has exceeded expectations so far this season and need to right their ship in order to succeed in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Thankfully, the playoffs aren’t decided until the end of the season, and though they haven’t gotten a win in their last 6 games, they have gotten a lot of help across the league and remain as one of the top 5 teams in the league. It is more valuable to lose games in May/June rather than September/October. This team is a playoff team, and definitely is a contender. In regard to the team grade, they deserve a B / B+. The squad would have had an A- or even an A rating if they had shown up to perform in the US Open Cup but decided otherwise.

Hopefully, Robert Kraft allows Bruce Arena to open up the bank account and make a couple of signings during the summer transfer window to compete with the surrounding MLS teams, as every team has gotten, and or will likely look to improve.

Some key areas in need for improvement or depth involve the outside back position, winger position, and forward position. The center of the park is quite content, and I see no reason to replace anyone in those areas. One thing to watch out for is if Bruce Arena will sign a U22 Initiative player to replace the injured Dylan Borrero. A signing like this could re-shape the structure of the team and change how the 2024 team will operate.

Another key thing the Revolution need to succeed in doing is to not lose Noel Buck and/or Đorđe Petrović during the Summer Transfer Window as this would complicate their run into the MLS Cup Playoffs. Only time will tell, but with 17 games to go, there is a lot of promise in New England.

The New England Revolution (7-6-3, 27 pts.) return back to Foxborough, MA to face (5-0-10, 15 pts.) in an MLS Match on Saturday, June 10th. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.

(Editor’s Note: For more of Burt Granofsky’s photos, click on the link)