If you want to win soccer games, you need an elite attacking setup. Just ask the New England Revolution.
New England were able to kick off the decade with a trip to the Conference Finals before winning the Supporters’ Shield and making it to the Conference Semifinals in 2021. They did so with the likes of Carles Gil and Tajon Buchanan working their magic and Adam Buksa banging in the goals.
But after losing Buksa and Buchanan in the following months, New England’s failure to surround Gil with a requisite attacking arsenal has resulted in their steady decline in the MLS standings. After finishing 10th in the East (20th overall in the Supporters’ Shield standings) and missing out on postseason action, New England were able to finish fifth (sixth overall) in 2023, only to lose to Philadelphia United in the opening round of the MLS Cup playoffs.
The Revolution were unable to build on their upward swing and finished with the overall fourth-worst record in the 2024 regular season, and although they managed to marginally improve in 2025 to 11th (23rd overall), they remained handicapped by an unconvincing attack that scored just 44 goals in 34 regular season matches.
Since then, they’ve responded by acquiring Ethan Kohler, Brooklyn Raines and Griffin Yow. However, it’s clear that they still have plenty of work ahead of them in the transfer window, if the events of Saturday night are anything to go by.
Whereas the likes of Portland Timbers, San Diego FC, Los Angeles FC, FC Dallas, and San Jose Earthquakes were able to score for fun, New England once again failed to deliver in the final third. Instead, it was Nashville who proved why they have one of the most fearsome attacking units in MLS, with Sam Surridge scoring twice in the first 16 minutes, and Hany Mukhtar adding to their lead before the break. Whilst Leo Campana was able to pull one back after the interval, 21-year-old Warren Madrigal was nevertheless able to restore the hosts’ three-goal cushion immediately after in a 4-1 win in Tennessee.
Having operated in a 3-5-2 formation last season with Campana playing alongside new arrival Dor Turgeman in attack, new manager Marko Mitrovic went with a 4-2-3-1 formation in his opening match in charge, a decision that failed to materialize in anything really productive. Whereas Gil remained as brilliant and decisive as usual, the same cannot be said about Turgeman, who struggled to impose himself in a right winger position, and Yow, who lost possession 10 times, failed to complete a single one of his four crosses, completed just one out of four dribbles, and who, like Turgeman, failed to register a single shot. And although Campana did brilliantly to chest home Gil’s pass and strike home a marvelous half-volley, he cut an isolated figure for the rest of the match.
After scoring in three of his last six league matches, Campana proceeded to score four goals in three preseason matches before kicking off the campaign. All things considered, Campana sits fourth amongst all Ecuadorian players with 36 goals in MLS, but he has yet to fully convince Revs supporters since arriving from Inter Miami 14 months ago. Whilst the jury is still out on both Yow and Turgeman, both of whom are in the embryonic stages of their New England career. It’s why they need to use their vacant Designated Player slot on an attacker to go alongside Matt Turner and Gil, and with the MLS transfer window set to close on March 26, time is of the essence.
It’s clear as day that New England need to splurge cash in the attack and find someone who can take the creative pressure off Gil’s shoulders and who can help find Campana with greater regularity.
The only question is, who?
Should they focus on a younger profile who can appreciate in value and potentially earn a lucrative transfer in the coming years? Should they splurge heavily on a big-name forward and potentially even smash their club-record fee? Should they look across MLS and try to find someone who’s managed to prove his worth in the league, but who may be looking for a change in scenery?
Only time will tell what that answer will be, but one thing’s for sure: they cannot afford to stand still any longer. If they are to finally return to the playoffs, they need to get the checkbook out and start finding Gil some players that he can work his magic with.
