Henry Kessler Talks About Injuries, Playing With Three Center Backs, and Contract Discussions
Kessler on last year's hamstring injury: “For me, it was the first time that I’ve been injured in my career, professional or prior to professional, playing college."
Henry Kessler is ready to make the most of the 2023 season.
The University of Virginia product started 19 games during his rookie campaign and 25 the season after. Last year, he started 21 games, a number he referenced off-hand during a 16-minute interview with The Blazing Musket on Feb. 16.
A primary reasons why Kessler missed time in 2022 was a recurring hamstring injury.
“It was difficult,” Kessler said of the injury. “For me, it was the first time that I’ve been injured in my career, professional or prior to professional, playing college. I came back too quickly and re-injured it and never really got into my rhythm.”
Kessler has learned a lot from the injury due to experience as well as conversations with others, including teammate Jozy Altidore. One of the main lessons is that you’re “better off spending a little bit more time on it the first time you have it than trying to get yourself back as soon as possible.”
The center back called it a “live and learn moment” and he hopes he never encounters that again. He now spends more time on prehab, strength training, and pre-game activation to make sure his body is ready to compete.
Kessler has already applied what he’s learned as he missed some time during preseason due to a “lower-body injury.” Since then, he’s played 170 minutes in three preseason games.
“It’s beyond me,” Kessler said of this year’s injury. “This is part of me knowing myself better. It didn’t necessarily have to be anything serious but rather precautionary. Just keeping an eye on things, catching it early before it gets worse. It wasn’t anything serious, but I’ve moved past it.”
Kessler is hoping that 2023 isn’t just a positive season for him, but also for the New England Revolution. The club missed the playoffs in 2022 after setting a new record in 2021 for most regular-season points.
He’s optimistic about the upcoming season, partly because of the lack of turnover. Last year, the Revs said goodbye to Tajon Buchanan before first kick and Matt Turner and Adam Buksa before the All Star Game.
Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic was a star during his half-season but Dylan Borrero and Giacomo Vrioni were limited in their playing time. Kessler is excited about all three, plus other players, ahead of the new season.
“I think part of it is that we had a lot of guys leave and a lot of new faces come in so this is kind of our second year with our personnel,” Kessler said. “I think there was less turnover this past year. I think we’re going to have gelled. I think we’re healthier than we were last year.”
Kessler is particularly excited about the team’s Homegrown products as he called Jack Panayotou a “versatile” player who can “play in the middle, play on the wing.” Esmir Bajraktarevic is someone who is “really creative, a really great dribbler.” Noel Buck is another player who has impressed during preseason.
Of course, one of the team’s most important players is former MLS MVP Carles Gil. Echoing the sentiments of Andrew Farrell, Kessler noted that “any time you have Carles Gil, you’ve got a chance no matter what the rest of your team looks like and the rest of the team looks good. So when you have him dictating play and then good pieces around him, you definitely have a good shot.”
Newcomer Dave Romney could also be a central piece for the Revolution. Kessler partnered with Romney for 170 preseason minutes and he’s been impressed by the former LA Galaxy and Nashville SC player.
“[Romney is] sharp, steady, both as a player and a person,” Kessler noted. “He’s a smart guy off the field. That’s very easy to tell just by spending a few weeks with him and more than a few interactions now. Just a smart guy on and off the field. He’s in the right spots and he’s really solid. [He] makes good plays, plays smart.”
The Revs have largely utilized a four-man backline during their final preseason games, which could be a hint at what the team will look like when the regular season begins. That said, they’ve also experimented with playing with three center backs.
Kessler is confident that the team can play either formation, though he did note that “the three maybe does add a little more security.”
“I like the three-man backline,” Kessler said. “You can be more aggressive stepping into the midfield and then in possession, getting the wider guys in more advanced positions and how the three becomes a four, how the five becomes a four when we shift defensively. So it’s a different look. One that I like as well and one that I think we’re capable of doing.”
In the end, Kessler believes that “either way, I think we should be set up to be successful, whether it’s three or four.” In fact, the team could use different formations depending on game scenarios and injuries.
Now heading into his fourth year with the Revolution, Kessler is an established presence in the back. The Revs recently signed fellow center backs Andrew Farrell and Romney to new deals. Kessler declined to go into specifics but did say he’s engaged in contract talks.
“There are always discussions,” Kessler said. “Discussions are ongoing, so I’m optimistic, but there’s always conversations going on. That’s what I can say.”
Kessler has previously stated that he’s interested in playing in Europe one day. He confirmed to The Blazing Musket that he’s “definitely” still interested.
The 24-year-old is currently working on getting his Irish passport. His grandmother was born in Ireland and his mother is a second-generation citizen. He’s applied for a passport and believes that he “should be hearing soon.” He noted that it’s a long process.
For now, Kessler is ready to do all that he can to help the Revolution win championships.
“For sure, expectations are high. 100% we believe that we have a good team,” Kessler said of 2023. “There’s optimism in the locker room.”