Ethan Kohler continues to impress for the New England Revolution.

Kohler, 21, played right back and defensive midfielder before settling alongside Mamadou Fofana at center back. He's the most accurate passer on the team (96%) and ranks second in clearances per game (4.4).

"He is very composed on the ball, but I want to also say that he’s a great defender, somebody who is very passionate about defending," head coach Marko Mitrovic said in May. "You could ask Ethan, what do you like most about games, he will tell you, ‘I like to defend one-v-one.’"

Kohler stepped in to play center back 17 minutes into the game against the Columbus Crew on April 18 after Brayan Ceballos suffered an injury. He's since formed a relationship with Fofana.

"They both can be very good on the ball, make very good decisions, and kind of read the tempo of the game," Mitrovic said. "Also, both of them are very brave and have the physical qualities to play high on the field, even when we are finishing the attack, or being very high in our countermeasures, or when we are pressing high on the field."

Fofana, who played in Turkey and France, sees a lot of potential in his young partner.

"He is very good," Fofana said. "I play with him and try to help him in the ways I can. But he is a very good player. He's young, and he listens to the advice the coaches give us. He's very important to us, and I hope he will keep doing what he's doing now. He's a very good player. It's a pleasure to play with him."

After trading Ceballos to CF Montreal in a deal worth up to $850,000 in General Allocation Money, the Revs have Ceballos, Fofana, Tanner Beason, Keagan Hughes, and Andrew Farrell as center back options.

Mitrovic likes what he has, but didn't rule out the possibility of adding another piece during the summer transfer window.

“We have a pool of center backs right now, and we're happy with all our guys," Mitrovic said. "But as I said many times, we're still in a transfer window. If there is any opportunity to improve our team in any position, we will do that. We just have to be sure, as much as possible, that if we're adding any piece, it's really a reinforcement for our group.